Aikido
LFA
1820 Beginning
Instructor: Bill Sloan
Assistant Professor
E-mail:w.w.sloan@wayne.edu
Literally
translated from Japanese, AIKIDO means, "The way
of harmony with the forces of nature, including human nature."
While we might be well-advised to adopt this principle as the
basis for a general "philosophy of life" its application
in Aikido is in particular reference to the way Aikido
techniques and movements respond to energy generated by pulling,
pushing, striking, thrusting, etc. Rather than "fighting
back," the techniques and movements of Aikido have
been designed to capitalize upon the energy generated by a punch,
strike or grasp. Balance, timing and knowledge of Aikido
technique all combine to enable the Aikido-trained person to
respond to and neutralize any conceivable attack (except guns!).
The emphasis in Aikido classes, however, is on learning
and developing Aikido skills and knowledge, health and
fitness, and physical and mental balance, rather than the practical
application of Aikido as self-defense. The traditional
Yoshokai style of Aikido is taught at Wayne State.
Who knows, maybe you'll be the next Steve or Stephanie Segal!!
The
instructor,
Bill Sloan,
Assistant Professor and (Meiyo) 3rd-degree black belt has studied
Aikido for 25 years with the 8th Degree Japanese master Sensei
Takashi Kushida, and has taught the Aikido classes at Wayne State
for over 15 years.