If you’re not afraid of swords and want
to nurture your inner warrior while toning your outer body, head
to Brooklyn Aikikai, a new dojo (martial arts school) in Gowanus.
Aikido, which means "way of harmony with the universal force,"
is the ancient Japanese martial art that is taught at Brooklyn
Aikikai. It uses circular movements to harmonize with the force
of the aggressor.
"Aikido is meant to combine the mind, body and spirit,"
says Neilu Savoca, who co-owns and teaches at the studio with
her husband and fellow instructor, Robert Savoca. "The techniques
are based on samurai movements, but it’s a non-competitive art.
Students come to work on themselves."
While there are no competitions, students practice techniques
in pairs, taking turns as attacker and defender. The training
improves balance, flexibility, muscle tone and endurance, and
helps students become more centered in their lives.
The practice "isn’t necessarily aerobic," says Savoca,
"but people usually lose weight immediately due to the constant
falling down and getting up."
The studio also offers weapons training, an integral part of
aikido, with wooden staffs and swords. The purpose is to help
students more easily see the weight, balance, stance, timing
and distance of one’s body movements. Another traditional form
of Japanese sword work, iaido ("the way of sword drawing")
is offered to students. Zen meditation practice completes the
aikido training by teaching students how to be present in the
moment.
According to Savoca, people train in aikido for different reasons.
"Some come for weight loss, some come for spiritual reasons,
some want to learn to be more graceful," says Savoca. The
studio, which had operated in Carroll Gardens since January 2002,
opened at its new location last November, and now boasts 2,000
square feet of mat and training space.
Classes in iyengar yoga, which focuses on precision, alignment
and length of stay in postures, are held at the studio on Thursdays
and Fridays. According to Savoca, this form of yoga strengthens
the body and massages the inner organs.
Brooklyn Aikikai’s March 19 open house will offer the opportunity
to observe classes, meet the instructors and watch informational
videos on aikido.
Brooklyn Aikikai is located at 408 Third Ave. at Sixth Street.
For more information and class schedules, call (718) 643-6044
or visit www.brooklynaikikai.com.
