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About

What is Aikido?

What is Aikido?Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. The aikidōka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Ueshiba's early students' documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu. Many of Ueshiba's senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker. This attitude has been at the core of criticisms of aikido and related arts.Aikido training is based primarily on two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (kata) rather than freestyle practice. The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (uke) to initiate an attack against the thrower nage, who neutralizes this attack with an aikido technique.Both halves of the technique, that of uke and that of nage, are considered essential to aikido training. Both are studying aikido principles of blending and adaptation. Uke continuously seeks to regain balance and cover vulnerabilities (e.g., an exposed side), while nage uses position and timing to keep uke off-balance and vulnerable. In more advanced training, uke will sometimes apply reversal techniques (kaeshi-waza) to regain balance and pin or throw nage.Nage learns to blend with and control attacking energy, while uke learns to become calm and flexible in the disadvantageous, off-balance positions in which nage places them. This "receiving" of the technique is called ukemi. Ukemi , Ukemi refers to the act of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves a parry or breakfall that is used to avoid pain or injury, such as joint dislocations or atemi.

About the ACS No Frame

The ACS is affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation (East)ACS is part of a group of schools located world wide and obtains diplomas from Aikido Hombu Dojo (Tokyo) through this organization. USAF members are welcome to train in any affiliated school while traveling and should you move to another city, your rank and hours will be honored at any USAF school.We invite you to be our guest and join us for a few trial classes before signing up.Our dues are only $75 per month.Your first uniform is included in this price!ACS collects monthly dues via a billing company and an authorized account. All students will be required to pay using this service. There is a minimum 3 month contract (which includes the price of your uniform) and payments will discontinue with 30 days notice. Participation in the USAF belt testing and seminars require additional fees. Students are encouraged, but, not required to become USAF members and take exams.A white Judo or Karate uniform is required for students.A student's first uniform is included in the monthly fee and will be received upon signing the initial contract. Additional uniforms may be purchased separately.Guests must wear loose exercise clothes during their trial classes.Our Chief InstructorAlan James Gay, 3rd degree black belt and chief instructor, began his training in the Aikido Center of Atlanta in 1982 and continues his association to this day. His additional focused training includes, the New York Aikikai (1986-1988) and Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo (1999-2003).

Learn More

USAF.New.Student.Guide.pdf

Web sites:This connects to our national school in New Yorkhttp://www.nyaikikai.com/ This connects to details about the USAFhttp://www.aikido.org/ This connects to our sister school in Atlantahttp://www.aikidoatlanta.com/ This connects to the world school where all our diploma and ranks are registeredhttp://www.aikikai.or.jp/Another great resource for more informationhttp://www.aikidosphere.com

Video

The World of Aikido

Interview with M. Ueshiba
The Founder of Aikido
Vintage Demonstration Video
Aikido Basics Demonstration

Eager to start your journey into the world of Aikido? We have selected a few videos for you to enjoy. We hope that these may help you to begin to understand the rich history of Aikido and what sets it apart. Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions or are ready to learn more.

Interview with M. Ueshiba
The Founder of Aikido
Vintage Demonstration Video
Aikido Basics Demonstration

What is Aikido?
About the ACS
Learn More
Video

Classes

Join

Membership Application.pdf

USAF.New.Student.Guide.pdf

To Apply, Please complete the membership application above.New Students, Please read the USAF guide book above.Guests are welcome to observe classes.For a complete schedule of classes, please click here.A white Judo or Karate uniform is required for students. Also known as a Aikidogi or Gi.Guests must wear loose exercise clothes during their trial classes.We invite you to be our guest and join us for a few trial classes before signing up.Our dues are only $75 per month.Your first uniform is included in this price!ACS collects monthly dues via a billing company and an authorized account. All students will be required to pay using this service. There is a minimum 3 month contract (which includes the price of your uniform) and payments will discontinue with 30 days notice. Participation in the USAF belt testing and seminars require additional fees. Students are encouraged, but not required to become USAF members and take exams.The ACS is affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation (East)ACS is part of a group of schools located world wide and obtains diplomas from Aikido Hombu Dojo (Tokyo) through this organization. USAF members are welcome to train in any affiliated school while traveling and should you move to another city, your rank and hours will be honored at any USAF school.

Fees

Membership Application.pdf

We invite you to be our guest and join us for a few trial classes before signing up.Our dues are only $75 per month.Your first uniform is included in this price!ACS collects monthly dues via a billing company and an authorized account. All students will be required to pay using this service. There is a minimum 3 month contract (which includes the price of your uniform) and payments will discontinue with 30 days notice. Participation in the USAF belt testing and seminars require additional fees. Students are encouraged, but, not required to become USAF members and take exams.

Schedule

Currently, the ACS offers Aikido training for adults only on: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Beginning at 6:30 pmSaturday beginning at 11:00am- See the Announcements section of the Members Area for updates on holidays and current events. - Guests are welcome to observe classes.For location and parking directions, click here.For entry, please press the Aikido button at the entrance door on Whitaker Street for entry.On occasion, teachers and/or enrolled students are running late and are unable to buzz guests into the school, please be patient.

Kyu/Dan Test Requirements

USAF_09_test_req_4.3.pdf

Ranking in aikido, as in many other Japanese martial arts, adopts a standard Kyu-Dan system. The United States Aikido Federation (USAF) follows the convention of five Kyu ranks (white belt) followed by eight Dan ranks (black belt). Unlike many competitive martial arts, however, testing for rank in aikido is not mandatory. Nevertheless it is an effective way to gauge your skills and technical proficiency in the art, formalizing your training experience and progress. For each rank there is a minimum number of practice days that are prerequisite for testing. The following table will provide you with a guideline for the USAF testing requirements. Remember, there is no rush for testing.If you feel you are ready to test, you should consult your instructor before making a decision. Also, it is important to familiarize yourself with the testing procedure and etiquette before the actual test.The official USAF Kyu/Dan test requirements can be viewed by clicking on the title or icon at the top of this window.

Join
Fees
Schedule
Kyu/Dan Test Requirements

Contact

Contact Us

For More Information, Call 912-232-6850

Location

Location and Entry

The Aikido Center of Savannah is located at 102 West Broughton St

in historic downtown Savannah.

The Dojo is on the corner of Broughton and Whitaker streets.

Across the street from The Paris Market.

For entry, please press the Aikido button at the entrance door on Whitaker Street for entry.

On occasion, teachers and/or enrolled students are running late and are unable to buzz guests into the school, please be patient.

Parking Instructions

Hints for parking downtown:

Downtown savannah has several "Commercial Zones" that become available for parking after 6pm and all day on weekends.

This is very convenient since our class times are 6:30 and weekends.

These spots are often open since some people are unaware of them and our class time is so close to when they first become available. Some commercial zones closest to the dojo are:

-At the corner of State St. and Bull St. by the CVS

-Several locations on Congress St. and Johnson Square.

Whitaker Street Garage

This is the closest parking garage is located on Whitaker St between Bay St and Bryan St.

· Daily Rate : $2 per hour, max. daily rate of $16

A monthly overnight rate is available at the Bryan Street, Robinson and Whitaker Street Garages for $35 per month, 3pm-6am daily.

For more information on the Whitaker St. Parking Garage, click here.

For more information, download the city parking brochure below:

ParkSmart Downtown Brochure.pdf

Using the Parking Garage

The Aikido Center of Savannah is located at 102 W. Broughton St. in downtown Savannah and is

on the corner of Broughton and Whitaker streets.

Whitaker Street Garage

This is the closest parking garage to the center. This underground garage, built in 2008, is located on Whitaker Street between Bay St and Bryan Street. The garage has four levels, and has spaces for 1,065 vehicles.