COOPERATIVE TRAINING
Aikido is not a sport and so there are no competitive tournaments. Instead, Aikidoka here in Clearwater, Tampa Bay, Florida, learn to better themselves without belittling others, without harmful intent or fear of injury. As a traditional budo, Aikido maintains the quality of martial spirit, effective technique, and intense training. Coupled with mutual respect and caring, this encourages O'Sensei's desire for universal peace through the practice of Aikido.
DIVERSITY, DEBATE, INCLUSION
Our dojo is an extended family of sorts by definition. We strive together to improve our technique, which in turn focuses our minds, as the blade is sharpened by the stone.
Naturally, families bring with them their core beliefs, values, and desires, which may at times, be at odds (not only between individuals, but even within oneself).
The dojo is meant to be a place where we can explore all aspects of our personal development in an honest and open way. Know that while we will not prevent anyone from speaking freely and exercising their 1st amendment rights - we will however, do our best to promote the Sokratic method of debate, focused on first, establishing common ground - and most importantly - that we are all one dojo family, one American family - on a journey together, however we disagree on the route best to take.