What is Aikido?

Aikido is a martial art founded by the late Ueshiba Morihei O-Sensei of Japan. Ueshiba O-Sensei was one of the greatest masters of martial arts in any country or any period of recorded history. Through tremendous soul searching for the truth of Budo, he was led to his own spiritual enlightment.

Aikido is a martial art based on the laws of nature, the order of the universe. As such it provides not only the necessary skills for self defense but also builds self-confidence, character, self-respect, and respect for others. It teaches us how to transform our aggression and the difficulties of our everyday life into joy and self-improvement. Practiced properly it enables us to bring our mind and body under the control of our will and thereby realize our true nature as human beings.

Aikido is an art which can be practiced by young and old, male and female alike. Rather than fostering a spirit of competition, it utilizes partner practice to nurture a spirit of harmony and mutual assistance. Nevertheless, as a spiritual discipline, Aikido demands honesty, reality, and the kind of fierce determination necessary for self-polishing. This combination of factors sets the stage for an enjoyable study resulting in both practical results and deep intuition. The spirituality of Aikido's fundamental principle and the practicality of its execution are at the core of its growing appeal throughout the world today.

William Gleason Sensei (6th Dan)

William Gleason (6th dan) studied Aikido from 1970 to 1980 at the main world headquarters (Hombu Dojo) in Japan and also with grandmaster Yamaguchi Seigo Shihan. During that same period, Gleason Sensei studied Japanese swordsmanship (kenjutsu) as well as Japanese language, classical music, and Eastern religion. Since 1985 Gleason Sensei has continued to study with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan under the auspices of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba.

Gleason Sensei founded Shobu Aikido, Inc. in 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, and there are presently five Shobu affiliate dojos from the Midwest to the East Coast. His new book is Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of the Kototama. He is also the author of The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido, which has been translated into four languages.

His first DVD is also available entitled Aikido and Japanese Sword that shows how the movements in traditional swordwork and those in Aikido barehanded techniques are essentially one and the same.

Gleason Sensei is available for seminars worldwide. View his current calendar for this year's seminar schedule. Read his feature article in Bujin Newsletter about his experience with Yamaguchi Sensei.

Shobu Boston Dojo

Founded in 1980 Shobu Aikido has been promoting Aikido to the Boston area for over 28 years. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Shobu Aikido of Boston is dedicated to encouraging the practice of the Japanese non-violent martial art of Aikido and promoting Aikido as a positive and effective vehicle for self improvement and spiritual growth, and as a harmonious way to resolve everyday stress and conflict.

Shobu Aikido of Boston has a number of affiliated dojos (see box to right) and is itself affiliated with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba under the direction of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan.

Information available:

• ASU Handbook (Official ASU guidelines)
• Dojo Etiquette (Shobu Information)
• Kyu Rank Testing Guidelines

Regular Dojo Monthly membership dues are $100/month for adults, $75/month for full-time students. Family and couples rates are also available (1/2 off for additional members). All rates include unlimited classes per month.

Please email or call or stop by if you are interested in more information about joining the dojo. email for more information.

Shobu Aikido Community

Join or Login to the Shobu Aikido Community