BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
GRAPHIC BY HANNAH KITZMANN
Are you interested in Japanese Culture, a new way to stay physically fit, or the Japanese martial art, Aikido? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the FHSU Aikido Club might pique your intrigue.
Morgan Dilley, FHSU’s Aikido Club president, explains what the basis of Aikido is and how it is beneficial to those that practice the cultural art.
“Aikido is a Japanese martial art that focuses on harmonizing with your opponent to come to a peaceful resolution of conflict. It consists of throws, joint locks, strikes, and pins,” Dilley said. “All of this is also matched with weapons work and disarmament.”
Shantal Covarrubias, a member of the Aikido team, said the martial art develops balancing skills to bring peaceful resolutions to situations that involve conflict.
“The purpose for creating this organization is to make a place where people with the love of learning can come together to practice aikido, learn techniques, harmonize, and respect oneself as well as others,” Covarrubias said.
Dilley agrees with Covarrubias saying the organization was created as a space where individuals who wanted to learn Aikido in a relaxed setting with like-minded individuals could learn with a lower sense of pressure.
Covarrubias emphasizes how stress-free the club is when it comes to new members and Aikido beginners.
“There are no qualifications needed to be a member. You just need to come in willing to learn and be respectful of everything that is taught to you,” Covarrubias said. “You don’t need to have prior experience to join; everyone is super friendly and will teach you from square one.”
Covarrubias continues by talking about a few of the values that students can expect from being a member of the Aikido Club.
“The benefits that come with being a member include, but are not limited to being able to have a sensei (teacher) that is willing to teach you and wants you to learn, being able to attend two free dojo classes, attend seminars, and gaining an opportunity to take a trip in Chicago to practice at their dojo.”
During the Aikido Club’s last trip to Chicago, the team stayed at the Japanese Cultural Center and had the chance to attend different classes including Aikido classes, cultural classes, dance classes, and other martial arts classes.
Covarrubias describes one of the most memorable moments relating to Aikido Club as going on that very Chicago trip and learning from Toyota Sensei.
“He (Sensei) would teach us techniques on how to redirect the energy of an attack and succeed by either flipping or pinning down your opponent,” Covarrubias said. “Not only that, but we were also able to explore some parts of Chicago that will forever stay with me as some of my favorite college memories.”
Dilley then recounts one of her most memorable moments in the club as the first seminar she had attended.
“I had been practicing for a few weeks at this point and was unsure of my abilities. Everyone at the seminar was incredibly helpful, friendly, and was always there if I needed help and was willing to teach me,” Dilley said. “It was inspiring to see so many people of different backgrounds and skill levels all learning from each other and having a good time.”
Dilley said the main takeaway of learning a martial art is that it is not only good for self-defense but also self-realization and learning one’s body’s limitations and natural movements.
Dilley also emphasizes the social aspect of being involved in FHSU’s Aikido Club.
“You will meet friendly people from all over. Twice a year, once during each semester we host a seminar free to the campus and community where we bring instructors in from all over the country to teach for a weekend,” Dilley said. “This also provides a great opportunity to train with others, not only from town but from other states and dojos. We also have the opportunity to join classes at the Aikido of Northwest Kansas dojo.”
Dilley then states that these social connections are the significance of being involved on campus.
“It is important to be involved on campus as a student to make connections and memories,” Dilley said. “Being involved while in college will lead to making lasting memories, improving your mental health, and fostering friendships that can last decades.”
Covarrubias takes Dilley’s testimony one step further.
“I think it is important to stay involved on campus as a student because continuously studying and doing only school-related things will drain the life out of you,” Covarrubias said. “Getting the chance to go out there and having fun with getting involved can give you a chance to get distracted and enjoy your limited years in school.”
Every Thursday that classes are in session at FHSU, the Aikido Club practices Aikido at 7:45 pm in the Dance Room (Rm 122) in Cunningham Hall.
Each Thursday, the Aikido Club hosts its weekly meeting after the class is done at 9:00 pm.
Also on the upcoming schedule for the FHSU Aikido Club is a weekend Aikido seminar that will take place April 14-16. This event will be hosted in Gym 121 in Cunningham Hall and it is a free event. There will be four sessions.
Friday: 6-9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – noon & 2-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Dilley makes sure to point out that while this event is open to anyone regardless of prior training, Friday’s evening session and Saturday’s morning session will be geared towards those with no prior training.
“There are no qualifications to join the Aikido Club besides a willingness to learn,” Dilley said. “There is no athletic ability requirement or prior training needed. Our club is open to anyone to join regardless of any martial art training or athletic level. We are a friendly bunch and love seeing new people.”
Those interested can find more information on FHSU’s Aikido Club by checking out their Tigerlink page at https://tigerlink.fhsu.edu/organization/fhsuaikidoclub .