el paso Archives - Aikido of El Paso

Apr 22

Aikido: The Way of Harmony with the Spirit

By Paul Forhan El Paso TX, Martial Arts

There’s a sense of peace that tends to manifest when we exercise. Be it going for an early morning jog or bench pressing weights at the gym, we manifest a mental state of repetition that can often lead to a state of meditation. Even if we don’t actively try to achieve this state, it still occurs. You might listen to music or a podcast as you go about your workout, this sends you further into a state of oneness with your mind, body, and soul. That’s why you feel so good after working out. But if you’d like to take your workout to the next level, on a physical and spiritual level, consider partaking in aikido classes.

Aikido: The Origins

Aikido, a Japanese martial art, may seem similar to Jiu-Jitsu as it involves throws and joint locks as well as techniques similar to Kenjutsu. Unlike other popular martial art styles, aikido doesn’t focus on attacks such as punching or kicking. Instead, it focuses on using the opponent’s energy in order to control them. By using this “opposing” momentum to your advantage, you’ll be able to defend yourself. But Aikido is much more than a method of self-defense, it’s a way of life! That may sound grandiose but it’s true. Aikido can lead to self-defense, enlightenment, and peace of mind. You see, the term “aikido” can be literally translated as “the way of harmony with the spirit.” Each lesson can be used to positively impact your life, on a physical, mental, and spiritual level.

Become Part of a Positive Community

If you’re curious about this martial art, you can visit Aikido of El Paso to take a look at what you can expect from a regular day of practice. Or, you could also look up aikido on Youtube. It may seem like a choreographed dance but it’s all real. The setting of aikido is safe but everything you see is the actual use of motion and momentum to cause the opponent to become unbalanced. Achieving this degree of smooth effortlessness takes practice, of course. Once you gain knowledge of aikido, you’ll be able to use it in your daily life. It’s a force for good in the world and you’ll become a vessel for such positivity. We all have a place in nature; aikido helps us live in harmony. Give Aikido of El Paso a call today to learn more about the benefits of this martial art!

Nov 14

two individuals practicing aikido as the sun sets in the background

Is Aikido An Effective Form of Exercise for Adults?

By Paul Forhan Aikido Classes for Adults, El Paso TX

As we age, we begin to get stagnant. Perhaps the routine of your professional life has caused you to calcify or maybe there aren’t enough hours in the day to devote to your personal training. Maybe you signed up for a gym but you haven’t gone in weeks. We understand the difficulty of devoting time out of your busy schedule to health and exercise. In order to achieve the health you deserve, you need to build up healthy habits. We’ve outlined three important reasons why you should choose aikido as the “exercise” portion of your diet and exercise routine.

1) Relieve Stress and Center Your Mind While Exercising

If you’re like most adults, you’ve heard the age-old adage of “diet and exercise.” It sounds so easy, to simply change your habits and then all of a sudden you’re fit and energetic! For many people, however, breaking these habits is very difficult. This is where martial arts come into play. Unlike going to the gym or jogging around your neighborhood throughout the week, you can gain valuable knowledge and insight with martial arts training. When you partake in aikido, you’ll work out your body and mind. Vocalizing is a big part of martial arts so you’ll be able to grunt and yell as you practice. This can help you relieve the stress you’ve accumulated throughout the day or week all while preparing you for what lies ahead!

2) Don’t Worry, This Is a Total Body Workout

Some may have preconceived notions of martial arts; perhaps martial arts don’t seem like a true workout. Well, you don’t have to worry because when you partake in aikido, you’ll experience a total body workout that will help you burn more calories in less time, build more muscle, and increase strength. Aikido is also highly aerobic so you’ll increase your flexibility and balance while burning calories. The bottom line is, aikido training can provide a plethora of benefits for adults who don’t have a lot of free time to devote to exercise.

3) Learn Something That Will Benefit You In Real Life

Martial arts are, at their core, a way of using your body as a weapon. Although aikido is a defensive martial art, you can still use what you’ve learned as self-defense. Building muscle by lifting weights may make you look chiseled but it won’t show you how to use the strength you’ve built up if you ever face an adversary. When you practice aikido, you’ll be able to be more flexible, have faster reflexes, and know what to do to defend yourself from attackers. Curious about aikido classes for adults in the El Paso area? Contact Aikido of El Paso today to learn more about how aikido can benefit you!

Oct 10

a woman practicing self defense at an aikido academy

Center Yourself in the Fast-Paced World with Self Defense Classes

By Paul Forhan El Paso TX, Self Defense Classes

Although El Paso constantly ranks as one of the safest cities in the nation, bad things still happen to good people. By partaking in self defense classes, you’ll be able to have the knowledge and skills necessary to fend for yourself if the situation requires it. Aikido of El Paso proudly provides self defense classes to anyone who’s interested. Not only does self defense training boost your overall awareness and physical conditioning, but it also allows you to develop self-discipline while building up your confidence. It’s never too late to start!

The Physical Aspect of Self Defense Training

Self defense training is built upon a foundation of physical conditioning. As a martial art, aikido focuses on grappling and softness which means it redirects the momentum of the opponent’s attack, throwing the opponent off balance. Unlike other styles of martial arts, aikido is meant to protect both the practitioner and the attacker from injury. This differs aikido from other forms of martial arts as the physical training aspect requires mastery of controlled relaxation as well as correct movements of joints. Aikido has more of a focus on flexibility and endurance than in strength. This is because the force in the training comes from the attacker, never from the practitioner. Although there may not be an emphasis on strength training, practitioners still develop physical conditioning. But aikido goes far deeper than the surface; it penetrates the soul of the practitioner, guiding them on the correct path.

Centering Yourself in a Fast-Paced World

People partake in self defense classes in order to be able to protect themselves if the situation requires it. Although other styles of self defense may show you how to defeat an attacker, they also create violent intentions and aggressive thoughts. When it comes to self defense, it’s crucial for you to be able to center yourself. This way, you’ll be able to make the right decision on a split second. Self defense training from Aikido of El Paso will lead to more confidence and overall awareness. With enough training, you’ll be able to stay aware of any potential hazards in your immediate vicinity. As they say, the best offense is a good defense. This is exactly what aikido training has to offer. If you’re curious about aikido training, give Aikido of El Paso a call. We’re taking on new students regularly. Before long, you’ll have the knowledge and skill to defend yourself.

Sep 10

Start the New School Year with Aikido Youth Classes

By Paul Forhan Aikido Youth Classes, El Paso TX

As we enter the month of September, students all across the El Paso area are quickly settling into the flow of things. The stress of school, homework, extracurricular activities, and friendship can wear down on the mind and spirit of students of all ages. This is where aikido youth classes come into play. By participating in aikido lessons specially designed for the youth, your child will be able to find focus while working out mind and body. Aikido can be seen as both a philosophy and martial art. Unlike karate or taekwondo, aikido is completely defensive. Students learn to use the force of their aggressors to defend themselves while protecting the aggressor from serious injury. Continue reading to find out how aikido can benefit your child’s life!

After School Aikido Youth Classes to Improve Academics

Many studies have shown that after-school sports can lead to better grades and more positive academic standing. Aikido, unlike soccer, football, basketball, or tennis, is a martial art that combines physical training with philosophy. The main tenant of aikido is non-resistance making it less about competition and more about finding internal balance and peace. One can see other sports as incredibly competitive and upsetting (if the child’s team were to lose, the child might feel responsible for not scoring the winning goal. This can lead to negative ramifications in the child’s life). But when it comes to aikido youth lessons, practitioners (also known as aikidoka) seek the path of non-resistance and thus avoid becoming bogged down in competition. Instead of being trained to beat others, aikidoka are trained to learn the perceive the correct path. This can assist students of aikido in academics, as well.

Learning Self-Defense from a Young Age

Aikidoka are able to learn a positive style of self-defense. Bullying is still rampant in schools across the world. If your child is facing issues at school, aikido can provide a form of self-defense that won’t result in any injuries to your child or the attacker. Through aikido, the practitioner makes use of the active attack that’s directed towards him or her. When a child partakes in aikido youth classes, she will learn self-defense without becoming overly aggressive. Aikido is a way of peace, self-discipline, and self-respect. If you’d like to learn more about what Aikido of El Paso has to offer, give us a call!