Aikido of Hilo opened up the New Year with a traditional Japanese Kagami Biraki, “opening the mirror,” Ceremony. For many martial arts dojo the ceremony signifies their first practice of the New Year. Aikido of Hilo also used the ceremony as an opportunity to recognize students that had successfully passed their rank tests last November.
Members of Akido of Hilo
Since 1980, Aikido of Hilo has been teaching Aikido under the guidance of Chief Instructor Barbara Klein and her husband Robert Klein. Both Kleins hold sixth degree black belts and have been training in Aikido for over 40 years.
The philosophy of Aikido teaches that budo (the martial way) should concentrate not on harming others, but on protecting them. “Rather than harming another and causing resentment, we are taught to neutralize physical and mental aggression avoiding injury to ourselves and the attacker,” said Barbara Klein.
Klein went on to say, “Aikido is an effective self-defense and a path of development, integrating the whole person, physically, mentally and spiritually; fostering greater self-confidence, enhanced awareness, stress reduction, mental relaxation, enhanced interpersonal relational skills, greater respect for others and a harmonious attitude. Physically, it develops strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, balance, coordination, and muscular relaxation. Through aikido training, the practitioner becomes a more integrated individual, with improved abilities to function within and contribute to their local community and the world at large.”
Aikido of Hilo offers classes for all levels and ages six years old and older at its dojo located at 29 Shipman Street in Hilo and at the Green Church Studio in Waimea. For more information call Barbara at 935-2454.
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