About Aikido
History of Aikido + Why We Train
The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei or ‘Great Teacher’), created the art in the early 20th Century. Having practiced and mastered several martial arts, he came to believe that fighting and endless conflict is never the answer. Rather, peaceful resolution of conflict, without causing harm, is the greater path. So ‘Ai’ (harmony, love, collaboration) ‘Ki’ (power, energy) ‘Do’ (way or path) was created to provide a way of cultivating and practicing the ‘art of peace’.
At Aikijuku Dojo, we strive each day to live up to O Sensei’s ideal. We see these values as central to our practice, and are dedicated to enabling everyone to join us in a safe, and cooperative environment. Because Aikido techniques are purely defensive, we never meet force with force. Instead, we learn to redirect an aggressor’s attack, leading to a peaceful resolution. Size or physical strength is far less a factor in Aikido than it may be in other martial arts; so anyone, large or small, young or old, can practice effectively.
Bringing Aikido to Olathe at Aikijuku Dojo
Pictured here is Seiseki Abe Sensei and Segal Sensei, the lead instructor at Aikijuku Dojo. Abe Sensei is the best friend and calligraphy instructor of the creator of Aikido, O Sensei. Segal Sensei was trained under Abe Sensei in Osaka, Japan.
Our Dojo Cho Neil Segal is our chief instructor at Aikijuku Dojo. He holds the rank of 5th dan (black belt). He has been practicing Aikido for 30 years and has received his training in Japan and the US. His principal teachers were Seiseki Abe Sensei and Ryoichi Kinoshita Sensei. He opened Aikijuku Dojo in Lenexa, KS in 2015 to share Aikido with all who wish to learn. In spring of 2023 he purchased a building in Olathe and renovated it into a beautiful new dojo. He is supported by a strong group of Aikido instructors to teach a variety of classes at our dojo.
