We understand that this would not be possible without our mutual willingness to allow each other the use of our bodies for practice. This is an honor and we never forget that. While pushing ourselves to our own limits we take great care not to harm our partners during Page | 1 class.

We believe that it is our job to support each other’s journey toward inner peace and strength. We open our door with this intention in mind. Everyone is encouraged to come watch a class or join us on the mat. I assure you that you will learn something incredible about yourself. Welcome Welcome to Falls Road ! We have three Location intentions for our students Address: 1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 1. Safety Phone: (508) 284-2910 2. Fun Email: [email protected] 3. Transforming into a highly effective http://www.fallsroadaikido.com martial artist. Lead Instructor: Sempai Cara-Michele Nether Falls Road Aikido produces champions in life as well as in the . Class Schedule Adults: We are a small traditional aikido dojo with a Monday 6:00 – 7:30 pm twist. “How we train in the dojo is exactly the Wednesday 6:00 – 8:00 pm same way we will show up in life” is a driving Sunday 10:00 – 12:00 noon* motto that moves us towards our goals of being *Weapons Class first Sunday of the month the best martial artist that we can be. This 9 – 12:00 noon means that realistic kicks, punches, chokes and even being taken to the ground are a part of our Please Join Us on the Mat! regular training.

Even though we use colored belts to indicate Visitors are always welcome to watch class and our rank, promotion is not our goal. Instead we are encouraged to participate. Feel free to are dedicated to helping each other grow into invite your friends to join us. Visitors may try confident, grounded, unshakable, loving human out a class for free. Adult members must be beings who could, if necessary, keep ourselves thirteen years of age or older; students under and our attacker from getting hurt if the need eighteen must have a parent’s permission to would arise. We come from a long line of join. Junior Classes begin at 6 years old. aikidoka who practice hard with the intention Information about these classes can be found at of rising above our egos to find peace within fallsroadaikido.com/junior-class ourselves.

1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

If your heart is large enough to envelop the realistic application of Aikido as a martial your adversaries, you can see right art AND a path for spiritual growth. In addition, through them and avoid their attacks. Ki No Kawa practitioners believe and follow And once you envelop them, you will be able to guide them along the path indicated to you by heaven and earth. the “Five Principles of Aikido” as taught by Page | 2 O'Sensei and the “Four Principles to Unify Mind and Body” as taught by Koichi Tohei- What is Aikido? sensei. Aikido is a Japanese martial art that devotes its training to powerful self-defense techniques About Sensei Wirth and the development of Ki (internal energy). Sensei Michael Wirth, founder of Aikido Ki The goal of Aikido is to teach students to No Kawa, has nearly thirty years of Aikido maintain a relaxed, calm state during stressful experience. Before establishing his own situations, whether they involve physical, organization in 1991, Sensei Wirth studied mental, or emotional confrontations. That’s with Sensei Maruyama. Sensei Wirth believes what makes Aikido so useful in everyday life. in the realistic application of Aikido as a martial art AND a path for spiritual growth. Ki No Kawa, or “River of Spirit,” describes our way of training and of being. We strive for harmony with ourselves and others. Our Kin No Kawa Locations training is dynamic yet suited to the 1. Main Line Budo individual’s own pace. Competition and other Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania ego-boosting activities are not part of Aikido Website: www.mainlinebudo.com training; the practice is devoted entirely to Hanshi Michael Wirth Founder and self-development. Through serious hands-on Chief Instructor training students gain confidence in their 2. Lehigh Valley Dojo ability -- physically, mentally, and Location: 1736 Allen St, Allentown, emotionally. Students concentrate on empty Pennsylvania hand techniques as well as how to skillfully Website: www.kinokawalv.com use and defend with and against tanto (knife), (484) 619-3319 (wooden sword), and jo (staff). In Sensei Mesut Pervizpour addition, Ki breathing exercises help students develop the ability to extend Ki while fostering 3. Falls Road Aikido a calm, clear mind even in the face of an attack. Location: 1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 What is Ki No Kawa Aikido? 508 284-2910 Ki No Kawa is a form of Aikido that Website: www.fallsroadaikido.com emphasizes the unconditional acceptance and Email: [email protected] blending of energy (Ki). It is focused on Sempai Cara-Michele Nether achieving the unification of mind, body and spirit into one movement with total concentration and purpose. Ki No Kawa means As soon as you concern “River of Ki” or “River of SPIRIT.” Ki No yourself with the 'good' and Kawa, unlike other forms of Aikido, believes in 'bad' of your fellows, you

1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

create an opening in your 2. Aikido is the truth taught by the universe heart for maliciousness to and must be applied to our lives on this enter. Testing, competing earth. with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you. ~ 3. Aikido is the principle and the path that Morihei Ueshiba joins humanity with the Universal Page | 3 Consciousness. Aikido Principles 4. Aikido will come to completion when each individual, following his or her true The four principals taught by Koichi Tohei path, becomes one with the universe. 5. Aikido is the path of strength and Mind and body were originally one. Do not compassion that leads to the infinite think that the physical power you have is the perfection and ever-increasing glory of only power you ordinarily use to live and God. grow. The power you ordinarily use is like the small, visible segment of an iceberg. When we Falls Road Aikido Lead unify our mind and body and become one with the universe, we can use the great power that Instructor is naturally ours. About Sempai Cara Michele 1. Keep one-point 2. Relax completely Sempai Cara Michele Nether, founder and 3. Keep weight underside chief instructor of the Falls Road Aikido, is a 4. Extend Ki Nidan in Aikido who studied under Ki No Kawa founder Sensei Michael Wirth and The Three Principles of Ki No Kawa Aikido Yandon Sensei Kyle Olinger. Sensei Olinger, 1. The realistic application of the principles formerly an officer with the Reading, PA, and techniques of Aikido to the living of police department, brought real-world everyday life. experience to Sempai Cara Michele’s martial 2. The realistic application of the principles arts training. Sempai Cara Michele also and techniques of Aikido in the defense of teaches a women’s self-defense course. family, friends, country and those in need. 3. Blending with energy met whether Sempai Cara Michele is an acupuncturist and positive or negative with a relaxed, functional medicine practitioner. focused and steadfast mind, body and She is also the founder Women in Wellness, spirit. Acupuncture and Nutritional Family Care.

The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the The Five Principles of Aikido body, and polish the spirit. 1. Aikido is the path that joins all paths of Morihei Ueshiba the universe throughout eternity; it is the Universal Mind that contains all things and unifies all things. 1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

Dojo Dues, Membership, and • Students should arrive about 15 minutes Other Fees before class to change into clean gis. • Members must be dressed, sitting in

seiza, and ready to practice 5 minutes New Students before the beginning of class. • You are encouraged to try several classes • Members who are late for class must wait Page | 4 before committing to training. off of the mat in seiza until Sempai • There are never any contracts, and we do acknowledges them before bowing onto NOT sell you to a third-party billing the mat. (Bowing is a form of paying service. homage to Aikido, O’Sensei, the dojo, Sensei, and your training partners. Alone Training Dues the bow is but a hollow shell, it is the • Adults’ dues are $95.00 per month spirit in which it is done that gives it automatic payment. value and meaning.) • Drop in class is $15.00. ➢ Bow toward the shomen (the front of • Pay your dues on time without being the training hall) when entering and reminded or prompted. You should pay leaving the dojo. your dues continuously, as a ➢ Bow in front of your partner when demonstration of your serious beginning and ending practice. commitment to the dojo, for as long as you ➢ Bow and thank Sensei when receiving consider yourself a member of the dojo. individual instruction during class. • Members must ask permission to leave Other Fees the mat for any reason other than an • Gi (training uniform) New students will emergency and again wait for permission need to purchase a gi. (Unless you already to rejoin the class. own a plain-white, “-style” gi without • All students sit in seiza or Indian style patches or embroidery.) while Sensei is teaching unless instructed • Testing Fees: 6th -3rd kyu test fees are otherwise. $25.00, 2nd – 1st kyu are $50.00 and dan • Members are required to buy a white or test are $100.00. Dues are to be paid natural-colored cotton judo gi by the end before each test. Students usually test two of their first three months of practice. or three times per year. • Students must maintain good personal hygiene. All members also must keep Dojo Rules and Etiquette fingernails and toenails trimmed short. Gis must be laundered after each class. The etiquette requirements may change • All cuts and/or open wounds must be depending on which class you attend. covered during practice. Supplies are Because we tailor our arts towards provided. emotionally mature people who are capable • Discrimination of any type including - of self-discipline and control, we do not see a sexual, religious, or racial, will not be need for a stiff, militaristic atmosphere. tolerated under any circumstances. However, some basic dojo rules are listed • Maintaining the dojo is the responsibility below to encourage safety and mutual respect of all the students. It shall be kept clean during practice. at all times. ➢ Mats shall be swept before class

1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

➢ Matt shall be disinfected after each is important to continue with the class. original spirit of a beginner." ➢ All areas must be swept or Morihei Ueshiba vacuumed. ➢ Bathrooms and dressing rooms should be clean, neat and orderly. Helpful Hints for the Beginning Page | 5 ➢ Walking areas should be kept free of all personal effects including Kinokawa Aikido Student

shoes. ➢ All surfaces should be kept free of dust. BEGINNER’S MIND/ATTITUDE • At the beginning and end of class, sit in Most of the things you are about to learn order of seniority. The senior student sits will be new to you. Open your mind to new first and to the right. possibilities. Empty your cup so you can be ready to fill it. Come to Aikido ready for • Seniors students are responsible for lining up other students properly before new possibilities of expanding your beliefs and after class. so you will find it easier to accept new teaching. Let your mind be empty. Aikido is • Senior students are responsible for all a very natural art. Most of your training will dojo rules being followed. be learning to let go of limitations of

• Junior students are responsible for previous habits and reactions. You will following the senior students’ example. notice maybe even in the first class that • Inform your instructor before class if when your body starts feeling a natural flow you have any injuries or limitations. you will learn faster and easier. Find • Never train under the influence of similarities in the movements. alcohol or drugs. Enjoy the present moment and present • Sign in the attendance sheet before each technique. The secret to success is daily class. training.

Senior students will guide you in proper BE NON-JUDGMENTAL dojo etiquette and procedures, but the basic As we grow up we often compare ourselves rules are as follows: with others or with the expectations that we • Bow onto and off of the mat. have for ourselves. You are where you • Respect your instructors, including should be as an Aikido student. We have a senior students (2nd kyu and above) who saying that there are no mistakes in Aikido. are leading class. Everything that you do in class is correct, • Address Sensei as Sensei and all Dan meaning that your action is simply an ranks as Sempai both on and off the mat. expression of your state of being right now. • Respect each other. Don’t hamper yourself by judging whether • Don’t wear jewelry on the mat. you are right or wrong. Strive for perfection, • Don’t chew gum on the mat. all the time realizing that whatever you can • Don’t bring food or drinks onto the mat. do at the moment is perfectly right.

"There are times when you may be HAVE FUN! overwhelmed by the teachings Aikido is natural, flowing, beautiful and of the Way. At such moments, it 1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com loving. Don’t turn it into work. Enjoy your Frequently Asked Questions Aikido practice and relax. With patience and persistence you will master Aikido. You have the whole of the rest of your life to Q: Is Aikido effective as self-defense? train. It’s your responsibility to make every minute of your Aikido training enjoyable. A: For many police officer and nightclub Page | 6 bouncers, Aikido has proven much more BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS useful than the kicking and striking arts. Respect your body and protect it from But Aikido is a subtle art that takes time injury. Your consistent daily training is and persistence to master. going to guide you at a controlled rate. Be patient with your body (especially with Q: Do I have to be in great physical regard to rolling). You will automatically shape to start training? learn to do beautiful rolls on the training surface without discomfort. Each person has A: No. Aikido is extremely aerobic, but you their own unique way of mastering a train as hard as you are capable of while technique. Respect the timing of how you gradually extending your capacity. learn and you will be safe. Regular Aikido training will definitely get you in shape. More people quit Aikido because of injuries than for any other reason!!! In nearly every Q: The falls look a little intimidating. case the injuries could have been avoided Will I get hurt being thrown? simply by following the guidelines we will present here. A: When you first start training, you’ll get a bit sore using muscles in a different way, but injuries beyond the occasional Remember: Pain lasting more than a few scrape or bruise are unusual in Aikido. moments is a sign that something is wrong. New students concentrate on learning to If you are hurting, stop and consult with fall correctly to lessen impact and until your Sempai/Sensei. Nobody can feel your they can confidently fall safely they are pain but you. If you are hurting, stop until not thrown hard. you are sure you’ve corrected the problem and you are comfortable about going on. Q: Is Aikido a true martial art, or is it more like tai chi, a meditative Do Not practice with nonstudents. Resist the practice? temptation to go home and see if the arts work on your husband, wife, best friend, A: Visit three different Aikido dojos and worst enemy, etc. In classes the Sensei is you’re likely to see what appears to be very cautious in making sure that the three distinct arts. On one end of the (the attacker) understands his or her part and spectrum, some dojos emphasize the can flow safely with the art. The first thing a deadly self-defense techniques nonstudent may do is try to resist by popularized by the likes of Steven flinching or pulling away. This may cause Seagal, while at the other end Aikido is an injury in your hands. practiced almost entirely as a meditative art with little self-defense application. Aikido Ki No Kawa falls somewhere in

1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

the middle, with an emphasis on hard handbook is a useful reference for most physical training to learn practical self- of the terms you will encounter. defense techniques while also striving to develop calmness and Ki development. Glossary Q: How long does it take to get a black There are a few terms you will have to Page | 7 belt? learn. The names of techniques are given in Japanese, since the Founder of A: There is no “Black Belt club” and there Aikido lived and died in Japan, and the are no guarantees, but students who teachers who first popularized Aikido train consistently can expect to earn came from Japan. Most techniques have their black belts in four to five years. no name, or if they have a name, it is a general one. Do the best you can with Q: What about rankings? Are there this situation. Before long you’ll know tests? many techniques, and if you practice hard for a long time, you’ll forget them A: Students below black belt are tested too, as the mechanical mind you from 6th kyu (the rank immediately learned with is replaced by after white belt) to 1st kyu (brown belt). Spontaneous Easy Presence. Promotions are granted through our association with Aikido Ki No Kawa, Aikido: The way of mind, body, and based in Allentown, PA. spirit coordinated in harmony Atemi: Striking techniques to move the Q: How many times do I need to attacker’s mind practice each week to advance? Bokken: Wooden practice sword

A: Students should try to practice at least Gi: Training uniform twice per week. Hanmi: The relaxed stance of Aikido. From Q: Does the bowing in Aikido have religious significance? hanmi students can move quickly in any direction. A: No. Students of all faiths practice Hanmi handachi: Techniques practiced Aikido. The bowing is a tradition to with nage sitting and uke standing. show respect for the art and its founder, whose picture is displayed at the front Hara: The center point of the body in of the dojo, and to one’s fellow students the lower abdomen through which ki and the instructor. emanates. Movement should start from the hara. Q: Do I need to worry about the : Entering line of attack directly at Japanese terminology? uke

Jo: Wooden staff A: No. The terms are fairly simple, and you’ll pick them up easily as you Jo dori: Techniques of staff-taking practice. The glossary included in this dori: Shoulder grab

1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

Katate dori: Wrist grab Shodan: First-degree black belt Katate dori ryote mochi: Grabbing Shoman Ni Rey: Bow to the front wrist with both hands Shomenuchi: Strike to top of head Ki No Kawa: River of spirit Suwariwaza: Techniques starting with Kokyu: Breath power; timing both partners in seiza Page | 8 Kokyunage: Breath throw; timing throw Tachi: Japanese sword Kubishime: Choke hold Tachi dori: Sword-taking techniques Kumi jo: Two-person jo practice Tanden: The hara Kumi tachi: Two-person sword practice Tanto: Knife Kyu: The six student grades below dan Tanto dori: Knife-taking techniques (black belt) : Turning Maai: The distance in space and time Tsuki (pronounced “ski”): Straight between nage and uke punch to the stomach Munetsuki: Punch to the chest or solar Uke: Person who is thrown; Receiver of plexus the Nage’s energy; usually the attacker Nage: Throw, or person who throws Ukemi: Art of giving nage a realistic Nidan: Second-degree black belt attack with which to practice, and of O’Sensei: Great teacher; honorific used falling without being injured exclusively for founder of Aikido, Ushiro: From behind Morihei Ueshiba Waza: Technique : Free practice against multiple Yokomenuchi: Strike to side of head attackers

Rei: To bow Ryote dori: Grabbing both wrists Ryokata dori: Grabbing both shoulders San: One with honor. Ki No Kawa students use this suffix when addressing their classmates to show respect for their fellow aikidoka (example: Bill- san).

Sandan: Third-degree black belt Seiza: Formal kneeling position Sensei: Teacher Sempai: Senior student leading class Sempai Ni Rey: Bow to Sempai Shikko: Knee walking 1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com

Counting in Japanese One ichi Page | 9

Two ni

Three san

Four shi

Five go

Six roku

Seven shichi

Eight hachi

Nine kyu

Ten ju

1400 Coppermine Terrace Baltimore, MD 21209 ~ 508-284-2910 ~ www.fallsroadaikido.com