Many of the principles incorporated in the workshops come from aikido, the Japanese martial art which means "The Way of Harmony." In aikido, students learn to blend with an attack and redirect energy without harming the attacker.

Judy Ringer has a black belt in aikido and is founder and chief instructor of Portsmouth Aikido, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The martial art as practiced in the dojo (place of practice) is different from the way aikido techniques are used in the workshops. Workshops teach aikido principles, such as centering and blending, and use basic aikido movements to demonstrate these principles and their bearing on conflict and communication skills. However, participants do not perform aikido techniques in class (N.B. - The workshop "Getting on the Mat" does offer participants some basic aikido practice).

What is Aikido?

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Its aim is not merely self-defense but a new way to reconcile differences.

Morihei Ueshiba, or O Sensei (Great Teacher) as he is called, spent many years studying and mastering the various martial arts of Japan, including the techniques of sword, spear, staff and Jujitsu (free or body techniques). While recognized as one of the strongest warriors in Japan, O Sensei began to question the rationale of the existing martial arts. He felt they were overly concerned with winning and gaining advantage over others, without having concern for the costs or consequences of this type of competition. Through study and transformation of the martial arts he had already mastered, and with the belief that the reconciliation of conflict is the true task of any martial art, Morihei Ueshiba began to develop the art of aikido.

Movement in aikido is not designed to stop or block attacks but rather to allow for their completion. The body is trained to unite with the movement of the attack so that it can be redirected into a relatively harmless outlet. Aikido movement is circular rather than linear and thus it creates a centripetal force into which both the attacker and defender are drawn and joined together as one. This is the center of activity, the 'eye of the storm,' wherein no conflict can exist.

Through daily practice aikido students are taught to harmonize with others rather than to contest with them. The natural movements and techniques reflect centeredness, relaxation and inner power (ki) and are practiced with partners to create mutually beneficial workouts. Aikido is not so much a method of defeating the enemy as it is a method of subduing our own disharmony.