Aikido in Malta has had a terrific year.
Despite the popularity in Malta of such Hollywood superstars as Steven Seagal, a highly ranked master of Aikido, this Japanese martial tends to be somewhat lesser known than other more prominent martial arts such as Judo or Karate.
It could well be because Aikido is not a sport. There are no competitions in Aikido. So with little opportunity for spectator participation, there is little occasion to be featured on television or the general media.
Nonetheless Aikido in Malta is quietly thriving. The Yamato Dojo in Malta this year celebrated its 15th anniversary of Aikido in Malta with a three day seminar in June. It was led by one of Europe’s top Aikidoka, 5th Dan Renato Tamburelli from Rome, Italy and some 30 members of the local club. Master Tamburelli officiated at the opening of the club’s new headquarters at Maria Assumpta School in Hamrun together with Onor Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary for Youths and Sport.
In another first for the club it will, in September this year, commence Junior classes for 10-16 year olds.
Aikido in Malta is primarily promoted by word of mouth through its group of enthusiastic practitioners know as Aikidoka. New students approach with an element of curiosity this gentle art and rapidly become enthralled by the power and beauty of its moves. New Aikidoka will tell you that they succumb to Aikido’s sublime blend of harmonious integration of body and mind and its ‘workout’ effect that emphasises stretching and joint development.
Older students often reflect that despite the years of practice of Aikido there is still plenty more to learn making it an art one can truly practice all one’s life.
Morihei Ueshiba who founded the martial art early in the 20th century was appalled by war and destruction. So notwithstanding his own Samurai tradition in which he was an acknowledged master, he developed a martial art that turned its back on aggression. He called it AIKIDO, the way of harmony.
It is perhaps because of this unique focus of Aikido on harmony and cooperative learning (and it absence of kicks and punches) that this art has become such a sought after alternative to training regimes that are aggressive and competitive.
For further information visit www.aikidomalta.net, call 9989 9733 or tune in to Education Channel 22 where Aikido educational programs are being transmitted.
