Aikido is a Non-Agressive Form of Self Defense for Defending yourself with dignity and grace, that receives an attack and redirects the energy and either pins the attacker or throws him off. This exceeds the philosophy of many martial arts through the ethical application of techniques without reciprocating animosity and emotion.

Many martial arts philosophies talk about peace, but when physical action becomes necessary the normal option is violent counterattack. Aikido offers thousands of options that vary from mere deflection to take downs or throws with no damage done, or to take downs that immediately end any further attack from that person.

When I started in Aikido the quality of what I found in Florida did not compare with what I practiced in California. I made a decision to get stationed in Japan while in the Navy and learn as much as possible from top masters and bring top quality Aikido back to Florida. In Japan I studied with the #2 (Morihiro Saito Sensei) and #3 (Shoji Nishio Sensei) masters in the Aikikai Aikido System. had the opportunity to go and practice with the #1 master (Kishomaru Ueshiba), however I had met many of his students at various seminars around Tokyo and they were not as impressive as the other masters' students. I continued to study the two styles which I found to be most effective.

There are numerous styles in the Aikikai system. differences come from the way techniques are executed by various teachers and there are vast differences. There are basics in the styles which are very similar with nuances which make those basics more or less effective. The two styles I studied I compare to apples and oranges. They are both fruit. They are both sweet. However, they are DIFFERENT. Iwama style, is referred to by old students of O'Sensei as "O'Sensei's Style". This is like the apple, firm and pretty solid, but there is some great juice within it. The Iwama style stresses basics and escaping from very strong attacks. The Nishio style is like the orange, very juicy, flowing and sometimes tart to the taste. This style is often very fast with multiple counter strikes and destabilizing movements happening simultaneously. I teach it after the students have the background in basics from the Iwama style and can maintain efficiency and effectiveness while appreciating the level of genius within the movements. Do not assume there is less genius within the Iwama Style. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that O'sensei was a genius who trained geniuses. Both styles are very strong in their application without requiring real strength to apply. Students do develop strength according to the amount and level of their practice.

The vast majority of techniques can be explained using simple physics and the sciences of leverage and balance points. There are metaphysical techniques that require years or decades of practice to achieve. Some people will tell you that you can understand these in a short time. Nishio Sensei referred to them as "Old Man Techniques". I prefer to be pragmatic. 90% plus of what I teach can be applied in a real situation on the street and work probably 85% of the time in the split second that you need it to work. The metaphysical stuff may or may not work on the mats, but fail miserably in the split second that you absolutely need it to work in a "street" application. Maybe, when I achieve 40 to 50 years of experience, I will look at those techniques. The vast majority of students will not stay for a life time, so I will focus on practical techniques, rooted in basics and understandable with the sciences of leverage, stability and physics.