ABOUT US
OUR SCHOOL
Our school provides classes in Zen, the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido (合気道), Zen calligraphy, and fun traditional Japanese crafts.
Our instructors focus their time on helping our students and community make real progress, both physically and mentally.
We are located in Old Town Alexandria, two blocks from Whole Foods and a 5-minute walk from the King Street Metro.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our community is very much about making progress through teamwork. As members commit to training, they often find that the more they commit to training at Alexandria Zen Center, the more they get back from our community. Members encourage each other, help each other progress, and often form team bonds.
We welcome and embrace diversity and inclusivity. Our community consists of positive individuals who support each other in growth and development.
A LITTLE ABOUT AIKIDO
Aikido, our most popular program, can provide many things for each individual, ranging from physical to mental to spiritual. In essence, Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art that is based on protection of self and those around us. Practitioners learn to control and diffuse confrontation, rather than combat it. They become able to control an attacker without inflicting injury. Often, this type of training develops a new mental outlook, one that applies well to problem solving in one’s daily life.
Its three syllables translate to harmony (ai 合), energy (ki 気), way (do 道), and is thus known as "Way of Harmonizing Energy".
Aikido does not rely on muscular strength. It is effective by maximizing stability, engaging our hara (core/center), and then rearranging an attack through proper use of timing and angles. Because of this, Aikido can be practiced by everyone, regardless of size, gender, or strength.
OUR LINEAGE
We are a proud affiliate of Zenshinkai Aikido Association, and preserve and promote the lineage of the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Our style of training is vibrant, powerful, and highly dynamic.
