Programs and Services at Onshinkan
Aikido of Northern Indiana (ANI) offers a variety of programs and services to community members throughout the northern Indiana region. These services include: Aikido training; public seminars over a variety of topics such as general self-defense, women's self-defense, team building & communication, Movement Art for Health and Wellness, Aikido weapons, and Zen Meditation; community education through lectures and workshops; a newsletter; and membership in a national/international organization.
Benefits of our Programs
Benefits include: training in stress reduction; centered movement and increased motor skills; practical application of conflict management techniques and philosophy; improved skills in team building and cooperation; self-defense applications; personal and workplace safety through increased awareness; and healthier and more productive employees. And of course, with consistent practice comes proficiency in this martial art, as well as constructive self-development!
We do this primarily through the practice of Aikido – a non-aggressive, non-competitive movement art, martial art, and way of life that helps individuals develop methods of interacting with themselves and others in a more constructive, healthy, and harmonious manner. Benefits of this practice are found within the individual, as well as at school, home, on the street, and at work.
* Quality of life: A big need among many groups of people is improving “quality of life”. Through the practice of the art of Aikido, this becomes possible on a personal scale. The goal of the training is the integration of mind, body, and spirit – how to find harmony with oneself and others even in stressful or off-kilter situations. It helps people to rejoin the fractured parts of the self often created by conditions in today’s fast-paced and busy society.
* Employee health and welfare: Employee health and welfare benefits include: exercise; aerobic conditioning; weight loss; physical activity; learning how to relax under pressure; reduced stress; and constructive, hands-on interaction with others. Our classes provide a positive and healthy social atmosphere of cooperation and team-building, as well as healthy self-development. Through consistent practice, employees can learn how to better deal with feelings such as anger, fear, and anxiety, and be better able to cope with issues like workforce diversity. Ultimately, this could reduce downtime due to employee illness or stress. Less downtime can lead to greater productivity and lower labor costs. And employees are happier.
* Increased safety and awareness: A big issue for companies is safety in the workplace. Just as important is personal safety. The practice of Aikido can contribute to increased safety in all areas. People learn how to deal with attacks (or other mental/emotional/physical stimuli) in a calm, centered manner with relaxed body and mind; learn not to take things personally but to see situations more clearly; discover options; develop faster reflexes and reactions; and live more fully in the present – all factors to avoiding dangerous situations or safely coming through otherwise dangerous incidents. And for situations where it might come down to physical attack, Aikido of Northern Indiana does offer company and community courses in self-defense.
Aikido Training
The primary program offered by ANI is Aikido instruction. Aikido classes are taught at both introductory and ongoing levels at a variety of locations. Training covers empty-hand techniques as well as techniques using traditional Japanese weapons (wooden sword, staff, knife). Introductory classes are conducted in six-week sessions and run throughout the year. Ongoing classes are designed for more long-term or intensive training, and are taught year-round. Promotion tests are offered several times per year at Onshinkan Dojo.
Public Seminars
ANI conducts demonstrations and seminars for the general public on subjects such as self-defense, women's self-defense, Aikido weapons training, and meditation/breathing practice. These seminars may last from 1.5 to 3 hours, and are designed to give participants hands-on experience. The material is relevent for people in today's busy and stressful society; participants leave with knowledge and techniques which they can then use in their daily lives. If you or your company is interested in having a seminar taught at your facility, please contact us at indiana@aikidoconnection.com.
Community Education
Community education is done through seminars as described above, and through other activities such as the introductory classes, public lectures, and a newsletter. ANI instructors are available to give lectures to women's groups, youth groups, business organizations, and others on topics such as self-defense, conflict resolution, stress management, etc...
We have conducted a self-defense / mental toughness workshop for a group of 14-yr-old volleyball players, and several Aikido and Japanese Culture classes for a local college group. Our presentations can be customized for your group - contact us for more information.
Japanese Cultural and Aesthetic Arts Classes
Classes are offered in topics such as Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony), Japanese Cooking, Ikebana (Flower Arranging), Meditation, Culture, Language, Iaido (Swordsmanship), and others. Click here for more info. Another link: Newspaper article in the Post-Tribune
Class Information Catalog
The free catalog is distributed throughout the year, and provides information on the classes offered at both our main and satellite locations. If you would like to receive a copy of the catalog for the next series of introductory classes, please contact us with your address at indiana@aikidoconnection.com .
For More Information
If you would like to schedule a demonstration, seminar, introductory session, or lecture in your area, or would like more information, please contact us at indiana@aikidoconnection.com or leave a message at 219 736-7854 so we can return your call. Thank you.
You are always welcome to come visit!
