Official organization of Aikido in the Nishio tradition

our budo

What is Aikido?

Aikido (合気道) is a modern Japanese martial art, often referred to as "the art of harmony" or, according to the literal translation of its name, "the Way (Do) of unifying (Ai) with universal energy (Ki)". Its founder, Morihei Ueshiba (植芝盛平, 1883-1969), whom his followers referred to with deep respect as Ōsensei (Great Teacher), developed this unique system in the first half of the 20th century. The primary goal of Aikido is not the physical defeat or destruction of the attacker – quite the contrary. It strives to subtly blend with the energy of the attack, redirect it with circular, spiral movements, and finally neutralize it, all in a way that causes the least possible harm to both the attacker and the defender. This is a path (Do) which, through the practice of precise physical techniques, aims to cultivate inner peace, self-control, and a harmonious, cooperative relationship with others, extending beyond mere self-defense.

Origin

Origin of Aikido.

Aikido occupies a special, almost unique place among modern Japanese martial arts (gendai budo). Its origins stand in stark contrast to many other styles that were collectively shaped over centuries by generations of masters. This is because Aikido is the almost tangible imprint of the life's work, tireless lifelong martial arts research, and deep personal spiritual quest of a single extraordinary individual, Morihei Ueshiba (植芝盛平, 1883-1969). This deeply personal, visionary origin fundamentally defines Aikido's unique character and philosophy. Its history is therefore inextricably and closely intertwined with the life path, development, and inner transformation of its founder, Ueshiba, referred to with deep respect by his followers simply as Ōsensei (Great Teacher).

Morihei Ueshiba Ayabe, in 1922, in front of a poster with the inscription "Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu".

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Principles of Aikido.

Aikido's unique, almost dance-like movement and surprising effectiveness do not depend merely on the multitude of learned techniques or physical strength. Rather, it rests upon deep-rooted, closely interconnected fundamental principles that permeate and guide every single movement and interaction. These principles enable the Aikido practitioner (the aikidoka) not to confront the attack with brute force – which would often be an attempt doomed to failure from the outset against a stronger opponent – but rather to subtly harmonize with it, take control, and neutralize the attack. During the practice of Aikido, the gradual understanding, internalization, and instinctive application of these principles represent the key to true progress.

philosophy

The philosophy of Aikido.

Aikido (合気道) extends far beyond mere self-defense techniques or a collection of physical exercises. The very meaning of the name itself – "the Way (Do) of unifying (Ai) with universal energy (Ki)" – strongly suggests that we are dealing with a system possessing deep philosophical and spiritual content.

Before delving into Aikido's specific worldview, it is worthwhile to briefly clarify what we mean here by "philosophy". Philosophy, in general, is the study of fundamental questions related to existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. However, in the context of a martial art or a way of life, philosophy primarily refers to those deeper principles, worldview, ethical guidelines, and ultimate goals that define the meaning and direction of the practice beyond mere physical techniques.

What is

Aiki Toho Iai.

The name's literal meaning is: "Iaido of the Aikido Method" (合気東邦居合). This perfectly reflects the essence of the system: it is not an independent sword style separate from Aikido, but rather a practice method that, through the use of the sword, deepens the understanding and practical application of Aikido principles. It was Nishio Sensei's conviction that empty-handed techniques (taijutsu), the sword (ken), and the use of the staff (jo) are inseparable parts of Aikido and must be practiced in a mutually reinforcing way.

Shoji Nishio's Aiki Toho Iai system is a valuable legacy that forms a bridge between the art of the sword and the principles of Aikido. It is not merely a series of forms (kata), but a path towards a deeper understanding of Aikido and the refinement of body and mind. For those who follow Nishio Sensei's style, or are generally interested in the weapons aspects of Aikido, studying Aiki Toho Iai is essential for gaining a more complete picture.

Aikido is for everybody!

Aikido for Adults – Rediscover Yourself!

Starting something new as an adult can be both appealing and a bit daunting. We feel curiosity, the desire to learn, but at the same time, doubts linger: "Will I be skilled enough? Can I really learn this at my age? Shouldn't I have started 20 years ago? What if I get injured? Will the community accept me?" We have good news: these questions arise in almost everyone before they start! You are not alone with your feelings. The only difference is that some people give in to these inner inhibitions, while others take a deep breath and take the first step.

Aikido is also wonderful because it can be started and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or current physical condition. There is no age limit, and no prior experience is needed. You might have numerous goals that this Japanese martial art and complex form of movement can help you achieve: perhaps you simply want to feel better in your own skin and improve your overall well-being. Maybe you want to spend a few hours a week in a positive, supportive community. Or perhaps you are seeking the path towards inner balance and want to escape the daily grind for a while. Whatever your motivation may be, take that first step – perhaps Aikido is precisely the solution you've been looking for!

Aikido for Children – Playful Development, Confident Movement

Would Aikido be a suitable activity for your child? To help make the decision easier, we offer a few thoughts.

Many parents want their child to exercise regularly and healthily, but also wish to protect them from the pressure, constant competition, and associated stress often found in competitive sports. If you are also looking for an accepting, safe, and friendly environment, where there is no constant rivalry or pressure to perform according to external expectations, and where your child can develop joyfully, at their own pace, almost without realizing it, then the world of Aikido might be an excellent choice for you. Here, the emphasis is not on winning or comparing oneself to others, but rather on the joy of movement, learning together, and inner development.

The playful exercises performed during training, along with tasks requiring attention and focus, naturally develop children's posture, sense of balance, motor coordination, and spatial awareness. Since Aikido techniques largely involve practicing in pairs, cooperation skills, attentiveness to partners, and mutual respect develop almost automatically through working together. Creating a safe environment is especially important to us: children learn special falling techniques (rolls) to protect themselves, and in Aikido, there are no strikes or kicks, so the risk of injury is minimal. Our goal is to foster a positive and supportive community where the love of movement, the formation of friendships, and the gradual growth of self-confidence are central, thereby laying the foundation for children's balanced physical and mental development.

Familiar Paths, New Directions in Martial Arts?

Would you have thought that a significant portion of our members didn't start their martial arts practice with Aikido? Indeed, it's not uncommon for many people to find their way to us after trying several styles, following various twists and turns on their path. Perhaps the feeling is familiar: in your twenties and thirties, you might have felt almost invincible, your body was flexible, your stamina explosive, and injuries healed quickly. But as time goes by, perhaps you too find yourself increasingly facing the reality that your body has become more vulnerable, and you're encountering physical limitations you hadn't noticed before. The question may arise: is further development still possible from here, and if so, how? Or maybe you simply practiced a martial art long ago, life took you in a different direction, but deep down, the tatami still calls to you, and that old training uniform is lurking somewhere in the back of your closet? If these thoughts have crossed your mind, then perhaps it's worth getting to know Aikido more closely – maybe here you'll find the answers you're looking for or the opportunity to continue your journey.

Yurusu Budo

Our Path to Aikido – Nishio Style and Complex Development

In our training sessions, we practice the Aikido system created and further developed by the Japanese master Shoji Nishio . The uniqueness of this style is that its techniques are deeply rooted in the logic of using traditional weapons – primarily the sword (ken) and the staff (jo) – even when executed empty-handed. This approach is not aimed at the quick destruction of the partner, but rather at continuous, subtle control, creating the possibility for an injury-free yet effective resolution of conflict situations. This perspective is reflected in Master Nishio's famous philosophy and the title of his book: Yurusu Budo – the "Forgiving Martial Art," which strives for a humane solution without losing sight of the techniques' real martial value.

The fundamental goal of Aikido is the coordinated training of body and mind, a kind of moving meditation. However, we are aware that in today's fast-paced world, the few hours spent per week in the dojo (training hall) may be insufficient on their own for deeper immersion and continuous, significant progress. Although joint practice and the guidance of an experienced leader are essential, we believe that real development also requires dedicated individual work – practicing what has been learned at home, becoming one's "own master."

For this very reason, alongside Aikido, an integral part of our training system involves getting acquainted with and practicing other forms of movement and martial arts that excellently complement it, especially those that can also be practiced effectively alone. Examples include Toho Iai (the art of Japanese sword drawing and cutting), basic handling of the nunchaku, or Qigong (Chinese energy exercises). This complex approach not only makes the learning process extremely varied and interesting but also gives everyone the opportunity to practice and develop by supplementing the joint training sessions, at their own pace and according to their own schedule.

INFORMATION

about training

Our association and dojos place great emphasis on quality instruction, so we limit the number of participants in training. Always call to see if there is an opportunity to join! This rule is to protect those who are already practicing with us, as progress can only be made well if everyone is given enough attention and space. You may have to wait to join a group, but in return we give you 1 month of free training so you can decide to continue with confidence and without doubt.

What equipment do you need?

Nothing special, t-shirt and warmer bottom. In the aikido trainings we are barefoot, tatami. The workouts no one needs to appear in a white aikido or karate suit to try it. Later, if you have already decided that you want to persevere in the aikido training sessions and take the exam, a white practicing dress is already recommended.

What does aikido training consist of?

What is certain is that no two aikido trainings are the same, there is a great variety of exercises. Some exercises are done individually, others in pairs or even in small groups. There are basically three main parts to the training. The first half hour is a full body warm-up. This consists of basic gymnastic exercises and special exercises mostly used in martial arts, aikido. Various "close to the ground" exercises such as rolls are also part of the warm-up. In the middle part we practice some aikido technique, if possible with different weapon variations. Here we usually do the exercises in pairs. Weapons training is not only useful because you learn how to use the tool. The specificities of each weapon also help us to hone our freehand techniques, as mistakes made with a weapon can be more obvious and easier to spot and correct. We are used to using wooden training swords (bokken), long sticks (jo), and sometimes even the nunchaku. At the end of the training session we do some kind of relaxation movement, which may vary from dojo to dojo. Everybody in Albertirsa loves the chi kung exercises, after which participants leave feeling recharged.

Questions and answers

Based on our experience, we have compiled a non-exhaustive list of questions about aikido and training and the answers to them. If your question is not on the list, drop us an email and we will try to answer it.

Discounts!

1 month trial training for free!

We welcome everyone, it is a pleasure for us if you decide to try the aikido trainings with us, and to do this without any obligations, a full month of free training for everyone we provide!

Family discount

We welcome not only you, but also the rest of your family! The more of you from the same family, the bigger the discount.

videos, documents

tying a belt to a normal/thin fabric belt youtube video

tying a belt to a thick material belt youtube video

adult training - advertising video youtube video

kids workout - advertising video youtube video

kids exam 2013.12.14 Csömör youtube video

aikido moments youtube video

training camp Rakovnik youtube video

TESTIMONIALS

about us and training

Through a friend, I came across Master Nishio's system and grabbed it. But maybe even more important to me, I really like my training partners. I've never met such a helpful and supportive community anywhere, it's very inspiring, for me it's one of the most important aspects.

For me, in addition to the many repetitive boring daily routines, a different world. In that case, I'm not thinking about anything, I can immerse myself in what I'm doing, and it refills, soothes. Absolute self time :-)

I recharge very pleasantly both physically and mentally! It helps maintain the flexibility of my muscles, or due to my age, slows down the aging process. My self-confidence is on top every day too! It just positively affects my life.

But the most important part of the training is not what you do, how you do it, but the effort you put into it. It's the focused attention that makes everyday worries and problems almost irrelevant. "To be present", "to be in our body", that's the defining factor. The body-conscious movement. It is not possible to stay healthy in the long term without our bodies breathing out all the movement, hurry and stress that is trapped inside us, stuck in our bodies, because of the thousands of things we have to do with family, work and travel. In training, attention is constantly bouncing between 'out' and 'in'. How do you do it? Am I doing it right? Yet those moments are decisive, when a movement has my full presence, and even if it is not perfect, it carries me along, evolves, comes into being. Chikung deepens all this. Even more, there is time for the "inside". The "outside" is even more eclipsed. And all this is in constant motion; dynamic, full of energizing movements. (Melinda 48 years old woman)

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Latest writing

Beyond the first class: The advantage of a 'clean slate' and the challenges for advanced practitioners in a unique aikido style

06, Jun 2025
Ferenc Nemeth

In our previous article, we delved into the depths of the "Aikido Bermuda Triangle", examining the psychological, social, and other factors that often prevent initially enthusiastic enquirers from even making it to their first class. In this current piece, we take a step further... read more