Aikido Of Ramapo Valley

Situated in the heart of Bergen County, Northern New Jersey, Aikido of Ramapo Valley (ARV) has been a proud traditional Aikido Dojo since its establishment in 1997. Our Dojo is not just a martial arts school; it is a community committed to teaching and promoting Aikido as a way of life. ARV is open seven days a week, offering classes for both adults and children, making it a truly inclusive space for learning.

The Art of Aikido

Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that is based on the principle of merging with an attacker, redirecting the energy, and skillfully leading conflict to a peaceful resolution. This art teaches us how to harmonize with an incoming force, which requires the cultivation of awareness, mind-body-spirit unification, and deep observation. By learning how to harmonize with an attack and diffuse it, we learn how to harmonize and be one with life itself. The path of Aikido aims towards letting go of the resistive pattern, constantly flowing, and intuitively adapting to all circumstances.

At ARV, we teach empty-hand Aikido, Aiki-weapons, and Zen meditation. Aikido is not just a form of self-defense; it is a philosophy with a physical expression. It can be practiced by women, men, and children, making it a truly universal art form.

The Principles of Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art founded on the principles of harmony and non-resistance. It is a very effective way of self-defense, which does not rely on size or physical strength. Ultimately, it is the energy of the attack itself which brings down the attacker. Aikido gives us the means by which to challenge and refine ourselves, to examine our weaknesses, and to discover our potential.

The final aim of Aikido training is personal transformation and the creation of an integrated human being. However, philosophical discussion on the mat is rare. The focus is on the physical aspect of the art, which serves as a bridge between the mind and the spirit.

A Typical Class

During a typical class, the teacher will demonstrate a technique, the students will then pair up, and practice that technique. One partner launches an attack, and the other will respond with a graceful movement, off-balancing his/her partner, leading into a pin or a throw. While one partner studies the execution of the technique, the other will perfect the art of 'Ukemi' (initiating a good attack, following the technique intelligently, and safely falling or rolling).

The essence of Aikido technique is spherical motion around a stable, energized center. When executed correctly, with the right frame of mind, the techniques are powerful, dynamic, and effortless.

The Dojo

The atmosphere in the Dojo (training hall) is joyful and pleasant. The Dojo is a place where individuals come together to learn, grow, and support each other in their Aikido journey.

Our Founder - Morihei Ueshiba

Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, is referred to today as "O Sensei". He was born on December 14, 1883. His father was a farmer in the Wakayama Prefecture (now known as Tanabe). As a young child, O Sensei was weak and sick. His father encouraged him to study sumo wrestling and practice swimming, and the weak child was transformed into a highly skilled martial artist. O Sensei's father was attacked and beaten by a group of thugs, which also motivated the boy to become as strong as he could.

In 1903, O Sensei enlisted in the Army where he proved himself to be an excellent soldier. He returned home after the Russo-Japanese War an exceptional martial artist and powerful man. His father built a dojo for him on the farm and invited a well-known jujutsu instructor to teach there.

In the Spring of 1912, at the age of 29, O Sensei accepted an invitation from the government to lead a group of settlers to Hokkaido, the previously unsettled northern island of Japan. After a few years, the small village he helped build started to prosper. It was during this time in Hokkaido that O Sensei met Sokaku Takeda, grandmaster of Daito-ryu Aiki Jutsu. O Sensei found himself no match for the teacher, and threw himself back into training, studying Daito-ryu along with the martial arts he learned as a child and in the military.