Exploring the Tree of Contemplative Practice Series: The Movement Branch

Workshop Description: Aikido is a Japanese martial art and spiritual practice. The word “aikido” means “the way of harmony with the spirit of the universe”. This workshop will discuss the purpose of and methods used in aikido training. The approach to mindfulness used in aikido will be compared and contrasted to those of other spiritual practices, such as meditation and yoga. Some basic aikido exercises will be offered to give a sense of the practice.

About our presenter: Gordon Hannah Gordon Hannah is the chief instructor of East End Aikikai in Pittsburgh. He began studying aikido in 1978. From 1984 to 1997, he trained under Mitsunari Kanai Sensei, one of the last uchi deshi (inner students) of O Sensei, the founder of aikido. Under the direction of Kanai Sensei, Hannah Sensei taught at New England Aikikai and Portland Aikido from 1990 until 1997. In 1997, he went back to school to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical-community psychology. He founded East End Aikikai in Pittsburgh in 2009. He has also trained in Buddhist meditation, yoga, Brazilian jiujitsu, and other martial arts.