Aikido of Nebraska

Don't let the freezing temps keep you from your New Years Goals! Our next 6 week Intro Class for Adults starts February 20th - register today at aikidonebraska.org - Don't forget about our Intro Kids Classes also starting February 20th!

Hey Gang! We are going to open a Fundamental class for Adults on Wednesday nights starting this week. The class will be from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, and is open to all White and Orange belts, and to the 6-week Introductory course participants. This class will focus completely on fundamentals of movement such as footwork, basic movements, and fundamental Aikido principles. Contact the Dojo for more information.

Hello Everyone,
We are canceling Saturday classes today, due to the winter storm. We hope to see everybody again on tuesday. Stay safe and warm!

There's still time! Share the gift of Aikido this holiday season! Purchase online now!

Purchase a gift card today! Martial arts for adults has extensive benefits. Discover who you are; mind, body & spirit, and what you’re capable of.

Need a gift for that hard to shop for person in your life? Shop Local and share the gift of Aikido today! Aikido of Nebraska adult classes teach defense, fitness, stress relief and most of all - it'll be on time! Click to purchase online, gift cards are e-mailed the same day!

Purchase a gift card today! Martial arts for adults has extensive benefits. Discover who you are; mind, body & spirit, and what you’re capable of.

When it is Halloween time, you turn off the lights at the dojo, make origami claws, and learn to grab a spooky lightening bug with your chopsticks!

Our Aikido Youth Class visited Robber’s Cave to practice our sense our spatial awareness. Students learned not only about spatial awareness, but also about the history of the cave (the earliest inscription that we saw dated back to 1875!). We also learned that time goes way faster underneath the ground, and we may also walked away with a story or two about ghosts and paranormal activities happening in the cave! This was so much fun!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:

Sasha Van Zandt - Blue Belt

How long have you been doing Aikido?
4 years

What do you do outside of Aikido?
I am a mom, a wife, a teacher and a student. I love languages and traveling.

Why did you start doing Aikido?
I started doing Aikido after sitting on a bench for six months watching my son in the youth class. Every time I was at the dojo, I felt peaceful and connected. The energy of the dojo is calming and safe. One day, I told Sensei Marcia how I enjoyed being at the dojo, and she told me: you better get on the mat! After considering it for a few days, I came to a trial class and have been coming back ever since then.

What do you most love about Aikido?
I am always so happy to see my Aikido family. I feel that our dojo is an environment where it is safe to be who you are and where your physical abilities are. Everyone is accepting, helpful and incredibly kind. Aikido also keeps my ego in check; it does not always come easy to me, and being a teacher for my occupation it puts me in a student mindset which I appreciate.

My satori so far: I remember the day that Sensei held his hand out and said: "You are taking a break fall!" I have only seen black belts do this before and I was frightened! Trusting Sensei, I did my first breakfall, and it was awesome! It actually felt more secure than a usual roll because I had no chance to collapse my elbow. Things that appear to be hard may in fact be fun and easier than expected. Trust your Sensei!

Congratulations to Eli on earning his orange stripe! Way to go, Eli! We are so glad you are a part of our dojo! You are a persistent learner; keep on growing as an Aikido student and a wonderful human-being!

Congratulations to Eleanor on her green stripe! You show up with an open mind and desire to learn and grow, and it shows. We are so proud you!

Congratulations to Leo on his green stripe! Leo, every time when you come to class, you are ready to learn! You are a great partner to lower and upper belts, and you take every opportunity to improve yourself! Keep doing the great work! We are proud of you!

Congratulations to Cameron on his yellow belt! Cameron, you come to class with a smile, work hard and help those around you! Keep on learning and growing! We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to Kira on her green belt! Kira, you work hard and persevere! We are proud of you! Keep being a strong leader you are! Gambate!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Steve. Steve is currently a blue belt at our Dojo. When he's not training, he works as the Science Stockroom Manager at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

When asked why he joined Aikido Steve says, "Mostly exercise. However , I was attracted by the beauty and grace displayed by well trained practitioners."

What Steve loves most about Aikido: "How aikido has changed something within every aspect of my daily life. From how I move, to how I approach difficulty, to how I treat others and myself."
Steve's satori (little enlightenment): "Relaxing is often the solution to getting unstuck."

Come check out a class, meet Steve (make sure to ask him to tell you one of his favorite dad jokes) and see how great Aikido is for your body and mind!

https://aikidonebraska.org/

Congratulations to Ursula on her orange belt! Keep growing in your training, Ursula! We are proud of you! Gambate!

As an Instructor, the biggest hurdle in getting new students is getting them to remove their pre-conceptions.

Forget what you see in the movies. Forget that you are older. a woman, or not athletic.

You can do this. Just try. 🙂

Monday Student Spotlight:

Meet Noah

Noah has been doing Aikido for approximately 7 months and just tested for his 1st orange belt (and passed!) last week!

Noah is going to be a Junior at Lincoln Southwest next year, and works for his mom, as well as being the "Green Team" Lead at the Sunday Farmers Market. In Noah's spare time he loves collecting and researching vintage cameras.

When asked why he started Aikido, Noah says: "My mom convinced me to do it. I also thought it would be cool to do a martial art."

What Noah most loves about Aikido: "How you move your body and all of the awesome techniques you can do".

Noah's satori (little enlightenments): "I'm getting better at understanding Japanese and the different techniques".

Noah also studies Japanese at LSW and was just hired to be a Japanese Ambassador this summer for exchange students coming to UNL.

Noah is a great example that anyone can do Aikido, because it was 4.5 years ago that he received a heart transplant, and has found a martial art that he can still train just like everyone else, without the fear of injury. Aikido helps give kids the skills to protect themselves while also protecting others from harm.

If you think that you might be interested in Aikido you can find more information at https://aikidonebraska.org/ as well as sign up for your first class Free to give it a try!

Watch your THOUGHTS- they become your WORDS.
Watch your WORDS- they become your ACTIONS.
Watch your ACTIONS- they become your HABITS.
Watch your HABITS- they become your CHARACTER.
Watch your CHARACTER- it becomes your DESTINY.

-Lao Tzu

Maai = proper distance

In Aikido, maai is a distance between self and an attacker. However, this skill goes beyond the dojo. Aikido students learn to be aware of who is in their maai (pronounced “my-eye”), and this teaches them awareness of their surroundings and safety in such places as a playground, a grocery store, a parking lot, and so on. With practice, being aware becomes a part of daily behavior.

Congratulations to Anderson on his orange belt! Anderson, you did a great job, and we are so happy you are a part of our dojo! Keep learning and growing! And remember: your hardest test is always the next one!

MONDAY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Dave!

Dave is a black belt and has been training in Aikido a little over 12 years

Dave works for NDOT/Aeronautics, cares for 3 cats and likes music & stargazing.

When asked why he started Aikido:

"I had been curious for many years about learning a martial art. I noticed the dojo's sign one day driving home from the grocery store. I'd probably driven past it a hundred times without seeing it ("When the student is ready, the teacher appears").

What does Dave most love about Aikido?

"It's very hard to pick just one thing. The human contact and the respect we show each other. The way people give their best efforts. Learning some skills that can help me defuse or control a situation without causing injury. Learning about and improving myself.

One of Dave's satori (sudden enlightenments):

"When I was first learning the sankyo pins I had a lot of trouble with them. One night we were practicing them yet again, and I still wasn't getting them quite right -- but by the end of class, for the first time I felt like I was beginning to understand what I was doing wrong, and I realized that next time around I would probably 'get' them."

If you're interested in seeing what the art of Aikido is about, the best way to do that is to come and try a class! Adult classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 and Saturdays from 11a - 12. Youth classes Tuesday/Thursday from 5:30 - 6:30 and Saturday 10am - 11am.

Students of all ages are welcome!

For more information check out our website at: https://aikidonebraska.org/ and sign up for your Free Trial Class!

Coming to class and consistency is a key component to successful Aikido training and growth as a student. Leo, you show up and work hard. Congratulations on your purple belt!

From people, to property, to pets - kids learn respect in Aikido. They learn that respect is earned, not given, and they respect their adversaries as well as their friends.

Traditional Aikido teaches discipline and respect. Teaching kids how to successfully interact with their fellow students is essential for success later in life.

We value character over talent. Students with the great character, but poor talent, progress quickly. Students with great talent, but poor character, progress slowly.

The right character succeeds over all other shortcomings.
Develop your character.

Aikido students come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities. The only starting prerequisite is a desire to learn. Everything else will take care of itself. Come and try a class.

Dojo is a place where Aikido students train. Our dojo is one of the most welcoming places one can go no matter age, level, or skill set. Every student is positively challenged and betters him/herself as a student and a human being.

The key to success?
Increase your failure rate 😉

We learn more from our failures than from our successes. Do not be afraid to try something new and make a mistake. The more mistakes, the more you learn.