ABOUT O SENSEI

Aikido is the life's work of Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), known to Aikido students as O Sensei, or Great Teacher. A renown martial artist of his day who studying many different martial arts, O Sensei was also deeply interested in spiritual thought and disciplines. He came to understand the harmony and power of the creative process from which all things evolve.

Spiritual principles are embodied in the graceful flowing movement of Aikido. Negative force is met not with conflict; rather, it is joined, controlled, and redirected. The practice and study of Aikido deepens our appreciation for nature's balance and brings us back into harmony with the environment, with other people, and with ourselves.

To train in Aikido is to challenge yourself, to face your fears and overcome your own aggressive instincts. Through serious Aikido training, negative fighting spirit becomes a creative martial spirit, one that can be examined and refined in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

O Sensei founded Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan, where one of his senior students was Mitsugi Saotome Sensei. Saotome Shihan has gone on to found the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, an international association of dojos of which Chicago Aikikai is a member.