SHAMOKIN - In celebration of International Aiki Peace Week (Sept. 16 to 22), a local martial arts center will be presenting free conflict resolution classes to the public.
Shamokin Aikido Kai, and instructor Jack Richford, will present four classes during the special week, in the practice of Aikido, a philosophy of peace expressed through a martial art.
"Aikido is a martial art suited for the 21st century," Richford said. "In our practice, we use a study of violence to achieve peace of mind. Training the body crafts the mind. There is no competition in Aikido. The founder felt that competition works against cooperation and prevents each of us from learning to live in peace with others."
The free classes will be presented as follows: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday will be a special class for adults that will teach Aikido peacemaking principles in an easy, non-strenous way that can be learned quickly and used immediately. Regular Aikido classes, paced for beginners, with a focus on peacemaking, will be held for children from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by a free adult Aikido class from noon to 1 p.m.
All classes will be held at the Aikido Kai center, 3 W. Independence St.
"Aikido techniques go along with the flow of the attack to control the attacker, ideally protecting the attacker from harm and ending the confrontation as peacefully as possible," Richford said. "In Aikido, we repeatedly make the mental and physical adjustments necessary to replace fight-or-flight aggression and fear with calmness, inner strength and compassion."
As Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, said, "Aikido is not a technique to fight with or defeat the enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family."
More information on Shamokin Aikido Kai can be found at www.sites.google.com/site/shamokinaikidokai.