Aikido Workshop: The Way of Harmony event flyer

Aikido Workshop: The Way of Harmony
The World’s Only Non-Violent Self-Defense Art
John Smartt

Bibliothèque du comté d'Athènes-Clarke
2025, rue Baxter
Athens, Georgia
706 613 3650 x343

Monday, July 15 • 2:00 pm Multipurpose Room C
Monday, July 29 • 6:00 pm Multipurpose Room B

John Smartt of Aikido Center of Athens will teach a workshop on the art of Aikido in the library’s Multipurpose Room C on Monday, July 15, at 2:00 pm and again in Multipurpose Room B at 6:00 pm on Monday, July 29. He will go over the three pillars of basic aikido training: mind-set, vitality, physical technique; he will also go through some basic vitality exercises and demonstrate some light physical techniques that illustrate the mind-set of aikido: non-resistance, right relationship, engagement, balance, letting go, and win/win follow through. These programs are for all ages!

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the way of harmonious spirit”.

John Smartt spent time in Tokyo while he was in the Army, and he began studying Aikido in late 1968. After leaving the Army, John continued studying Aikido along with Zen and Katsugen Undo. In 1975, John was awarded a teacherʼs certification by Sensei Michio Hikitsuchi, Aikido Master and close personal disciple of Aikidoʼs Founder, Osensei Morihei Ueshiba. Back in the USA, John founded and operated New School Aikido in California for almost three decades, maintaining the spirit of Aikido while devising a curriculum suited for the USA’s more violent society. Mr. Smartt also taught Women’s Self-defense at The University of the Pacific in Stockton, Ca. for 10 years. He holds black belts in three different Aikido systems. Here in Athens, John has been teaching at OLLI and the Winterville Community Center as well as doing private lessons.

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