Aikido Sarasota Aikikai was established by Guillermo Gomez (6th Dan Aikikai) when he relocated from Miami to Sarasota, Florida, in 2016.
AIKIDO
Morihei Ueshiba (Founder of Aikido), best known as O’ Sensei (Great Teacher), was born in Japan on December 14th, 1883. He dedicated his life to the study and practice of several martial arts and disciplines, including Daito-Ryu jujitsu under Sokaku Takeda and Omoto Kyo under Onisaburo Deguchi, his spiritual teacher.
O'Sensei came to the realization that fighting and violence only create more violence, and even the most powerful warriors must eventually succumb to time and aging. In the end, defeat is inevitable. He understood that ultimate victory did not come from fighting at all; this is the foundation of Aikido, a non-aggressive martial art based on the ancient fighting techniques and philosophical traditions of the samurai.​
In 1960, O’Sensei was one of four martial artists to ever receive the Shiju-hosho. This honorable award of achievement would be given to him by Emperor Hirohito himself. O'Sensei continued his practice of Aikido until his death at the age of 86.
After his passing on April 26, 1969, the Japanese government bestowed its highest honor declaring Morihei Ueshiba to be a Sacred National Treasure of Japan.
"TO INJURE AN OPPONENT IS TO INJURE YOURSELF. TO CONTROL AGGRESSION WITHOUT INFLICTING INJURY IS THE ART OF PEACE."
-MORIHEI UESHIBA
THE WAY OF THE HARMONIOUS SPIRIT
AI
HARMONY
KI
ENERGY
DO
THE WAY
THE ART OF PEACE
Aikido practice is the harmonization of energy within yourself, others, and the world, through spherical motion around a stable energized center. Practitioners learn how to blend with the attacks from one or multiple opponents, redirecting the attacker's energy into a point of non-resistance and controlling aggression without inflicting injury.
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Aikido is not a combat sport designed for fighting and competition; in order to practice aikido, we must become flexible, adaptable, and empty by leaving fear, ego, and the desire to control others behind.
