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Scott Hager, Shihan
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Welcome to Aikido of Asheboro You are here because you are curious about something. It may be that a friend is practicing and you want to know more about this Eye-Key-DOE thing, you may be interested for learning, or you may be looking for something different than the normal punch/kick/fight model of aggression that is prevalent in the martial arts. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you got here! Aikido is different. It is a rational, thinking person’s martial art because the ultimate goal is to use the skills we learn in Aikido to resolve conflicts BEFORE things get physical. After things get to physical conflict things get complicated. In the end, it is difficult to identify any real winners or losers. I had a friend that used to say that he didn’t go into the woods to rough it, rather he went into the woods to smooth “it” because he got it rough enough at home. I feel the sam3e way about Aikido. Although what we practice seriously about what to do in serious situations, I am in class to smooth it so I can be a better person outside of class. Scott Hager |
Schedule of Classes: Tuesday & Thursday Children 5-6 PM Fees: Monthly $60/mo Annual insurance Uniforms/ (Family disc. avail.)
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Aikido Technique Aikido students learn to “keep one point, keep weight down, relax, and extend ‘Ki’.” This teaches the feeling of being centered (balanced) and staying relaxed at all times as opposed to centering tension and aggression in the neck and shoulders. “Ki” is the basic unit of the Universe. It is our vital energy, or spirit. Students will learn exercises to develop and strengthen their own “Ki.” Aikido classes are broken down into techniques (waza), Ki development, and philosophy classes. The waza classes cover defense against empty hands, kicks, knives, jo (staff), bokken (wooden sword), and guns. Students will learn how use the force of the attacker to respond to attacks rather than responding with their own muscular energy. The student then has the choice of throwing the opponent, using a pin, or using a hold-down submission. All of the techniques are a physical representation of Master Ueshiba’s philosophy of loving protection for all creatures. Mental Aspects Mental Aspects of Aikido Aikido is exciting, safe and fun, but is a complex art form which is not easy to master. One of the most fascinating aspects of this art is that it expands the mind as well as trains the muscles. The principles of maximum-efficient-use of mind and body are the fundamental principles governing all the techniques of Aikido. But it is also something more. This principle can be applied to the improvement of the human body, making it strong, healthy and useful, and so constitute physical education. It can also be applied to the improvement of intellectual and moral power, and in this way constitute mental and moral education. It can be applied to the improvement of diets, clothing, housing, social intercourse, and methods of business, thus constituting a study in living. The achievement of this state requires a great deal of mental and physical discipline under the guidance of a qualified teacher. Kishinkai Aikido Unique? Aikido is deceptive. When it is done well it looks both elegant and effortless. People who see it will wonder what they have just witnessed. Kishinkai instructors are aware that despite the philosophy of peace and resolution that Aikido is first and foremost a martial art. One thing that makes Kishinkai Aikido unique is that despite the flow and elegance, that the techniques are street worthy. If it won’t work in the street, we won’t teach it. In addition, the outcome of responding to an attack may be different than for other arts. The goal here is to neutralize an attack to discourage further action instead of decimating the person attacking. There are two other things that make this Aikido unique. Practice and movement are based on natural postures rather than set stances. This makes it easy to respond in any situation an aikidoka (aikido practitioner) may encounter. Finally, submissions are applied to pain compliance. In other words, pain is applied in a controlled way to neutralize any attack. There are many reasons we do this. First, it is difficult to learn to control a submission and pain if one doesn’t practice that. Without such practice, it seems much more likely that either the technique/submission will not work and the responder may be in trouble, or the responder will apply the technique with more verve than necessary resulting in a severe injury to the attacker. Lineage and Instruction Shihan (Master Instructor) Scott Hager, a 6th Degree Black Belt, is a Chief Instructor both in the Kishinkai style and with Aikido of Asheboro. He is a Lifetime Member and a technical advisor for Aikido with the Associated Schools of the Martial Arts (ASMA). Hager Shihan, one of a handful to be given that title by Sensei Roy Y. Suenaka, has studied Aikido since early 1987. He has been teaching Aikido for more than 20 years. He received his training and rank directly from Sensei Suenaka, the founder of Wadokai Aikido. Sensei Suenaka, in turn, studied for many years directly with the founder of Aikido, Master Morehei Ueshiba and his Chief Instructor, Sensei Koichi Tohei. Sensei Suenaka is the author of Complete Aikido with Sensei Chris Watson. Shihan Hager is one of the instructors who appears in the book. Aikido of Asheboro is a charter member of the Kishinkai Aikido Organization. Kishinkai means “new mind/spirit/heart.” This organization has dojos (practice groups) across the Southeast. It holds quarterly seminars around the region for its members and others who wish to participate. Kishinkai is quickly becoming known for its high quality instruction and innovation.
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