What is AIKIDO, what is not?
Aikido is the art of defense, which was found by O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969) and consists of various locking and throwing techniques.
Although it is counted among the Japanese martial arts, it is essentially an art of defense that allows you to neutralize the attacker by utilizing his/her own energy.
This modern art of peace gives you the ability to be aware of the possible physical and psychological damages that you can give to others, but the ability to win over yourself and your opponent without being harmed.
The most important feature that distinguishes Aikido from known martial arts is that its basic philosophy is not based on defeating your opponent using your physical properties, but rather living in precise peace and harmony with all the beings in our environment and nature, and therefore it preserves a deep philosophical and moral value.
Aikido, with its philosophical and moral values and techniques, is a discipline that requires more patience compared to the known martial arts, and it is the only art you can continue to practice for all your life, regardless of your age, gender, physical and mental conditions.
Who Can Make Aikido?
It is important for those who prefer the Aikido course to know if it is appropriate for them to take the Aikido course, first. You can answer our YOSA TEST to get an idea of whether Aikido is a suitable activity for you, physically and psychologically.
Then, if you are looking for Aikido course in Istanbul and want to learn Aikido, you should find a suitable dojo (place/class) and a sensei (master/teacher). If you would like to participate in our course, you should answer our YOSA TEST at least one day before attending the dojo.
Aikido is a way;
- not to fight, but to find a solution without fighting,
- to aim the peace and harmony, not war,
- to have a healthy discussion and negotiation capacity,
- to manage stress and raise awareness,
- to develop strategy and healthy self-confidence
Aikido For Children
Our children complete approximately three-quarters of all behaviors and thought patterns that they will repeat throughout their life and over 90% of their brain development in first 6 years of age. In this period, their perceptions were strong, short and long-term memory records were intensive and their learning capacities were at the top level. This period is also the period in which our children earn their self-confidence in a healthy way.
Although our most valuable assets are learning outside stimulations unconsciously during the age of 0-3 years, this process leaves its place to learn consciously in the age of 3-6 years.
The age of 4 is the most appropriate age to begin Aikido, while the consciously learning period begins and their awareness to commands given to them starts to form. In this most important learning age, Aikido contributes to the discovery of the unique personality traits which they will benefit in a healthy way in all areas of their life. On the other hand, with the help of Aikido trainings in the form of games, it is also helpful to eliminate problems such as hyperactivity or lack of concentration (lack of attention, lack of focus) that are seen frequently nowadays.
We should not expect every child to be on the same physical, mental or psychological level, but we can make sure that each child can grow up as self-confident individuals. Our first goal in our Aikido lessons for child development is to help our children discover these unique features in their colorful inner worlds and help them to maximize their potentials.
Corporate Aikido Training: Positive Aikido (Aikido +)
The common mistake we make while practicing Aikido is to think about our counter attack, but not our opponent’s attack. However, the first and only crucial step that will keep us alive is to get out of the line, where the attack comes, first. We surely can find the opportunity to apply the counter-attack after we get out of the rival’s attack.
In our daily business, social or family life outside the tatami, the situation is very similar. Neither without analyzing the attack against us, nor the attack begins (before listening/understanding), our impatient attack (conversation) would make the situation difficult for us to take advantage of.
For this reason, Aikido tatami is a small but practical and perfect reflection and application area of our real life.
For detailed information, please fill out the form below.
Sensei Guray Gunay
Güray Sensei was born in 1968 in Izmir. After graduating from Bornova Anatolian High School, he graduated from Bilkent University, Faculty of Business Administration. During his professional life of more than 25 years, he has served as senior manager in various financial institutions in Turkey and abroad.
Güray Sensei met Aikido in 2000. In his Aikido life, which he has been pursuing continuously in Turkey and abroad, he had the opportunity to work with many leading Senseis such as Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Kenji Kumagai Shihan, Daniel Laurendeau Shihan, Nebi Vural Sensei, John Messores Sensei and Chris Jordan Sensei, whom he was always grateful for their great contributions to the development of his techniques and help to understand the deep philosophy of Aikido.
Güray Sensei continues his professional career as the financial consultant and asset manager and leads Aikido classes for children and adults. In addition, he provides “Positive Aikido” training (Aikido+) to business entities in order to improve stress management and negotiation techniques among employees, which contribute to the company’s productivity and welfare.
He is fluent in English and German. He is married and father of three children.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to learn Aikido?
After some 6 months regular training, you can feel conscious and comfortable about the philosophy and techniques of this modern art of peace.
- I have a disability, can I practice Aikido?
Anyone who does not have a serious illness (heart failure, back or neck hernia, any infectious disease, etc.) can safely practice Aikido.
- I don't have a disability, but I'm afraid of being injured when doing Aikido.
Aikido is one of the most safe activity compared to all sports that are performed individually or as a team. The first thing that is taught to the students in Aikido trainings is to make correct ukemi (fall/roll). If made accurately, ukemi is the most important work that protects our body from harm. On the other hand, in Aikido, the upper ranked Aikidokas (more experienced students) are obliged to show the utmost care for the lower ranked ones (less experienced students) to avoid any damage to their bodies which is the most fundamental moral rule of Aikido. This moral rule does not apply to the lower ranked Aikidokas, as the upper ranked ones are considered to be able to protect themselves against injury.
- How much are the Aikido course fees?
Our Aikido course fees are redefined every semester and our individual Aikido course and class Aikido course fees are different.
- Is it difficult to make aikido?
Aikido is very easy to understand and can be done with pleasure.
- What types of Aikido courses are there?
Our Aikido course includes Aikido course for children, Aikido course for adolescents and Aikido course for adults, private or collective. In addition, we have corporate Aikido trainings specifically designed for companies to improve stress management, negotiation techniques and company efficiency under the name of Positive Aikido Training (Aikido +).
- Is there an age limit for the Aikido course?
There is no age limit in our Aikido lessons, i.e. you can make Aikido no matter how old you are.
- Can women make Aikido?
Yes, women can do Aikido, too. Peace and harmony with life have no gender! In fact, women perform many Aikido techniques much more aesthetically and effectively than men.
- Can someone practice Aikido who has not done sports before?
It is not an obstacle for Aikido that you have not done sports before.
- What equipment do I need when performing Aikido?
While practicing Aikido, we wear a white dress, which is called Gi, Dogi or Kimono which is a white pants at the bottom and a white shirt without a button and pockets on top, which is tied with obi (belt) in white, brown or black color according to the level of experience. You can also get this outfit from our dojo.
Students, who have successfully passed the required examinations and reached the yudansha level (dan rank), wear the Samurai skirt additional to their standard uniforms, which is called Hakama.
The Seven Virtues of Bushido
Gi (rectitude, justice, righteousness, integrity)
Yuki (courage, valor, bravery)
Jin (humanity, charity, benevolence)
Rei (respect, courtesy, etiquette, civility)
Makoto (honesty, sincerity)
Meiyo (honor, dignity)
Chugi (loyalty)