Welcome to Bend Aiki Martial Arts and Takayama Dojo

Takayama Dojo (translated as Tall Mountain) was originally founded in 1997 as a small private dojo in our teacher’s backyard.  With a desire to reach more community members, we moved to a public space on the east side of Bend in 2005.  Furthering our desire to form as a public benefit, Bend Aiki Martial Arts, Inc. (BAMA) was founded as a 501(c)3 registered non-profit in 2007. Today, Bend Aiki Martial Arts thrives as a community of people who have come together not only to practice the martial art of Aikido, but also to help spread the life teachings that we've each individually learned.

BAMA was created for the purpose of providing a physically and emotionally safe place for community members to learn practical and effective methods of self–defense through the use of the Japanese Martial Art of Aikido, as exemplified and developed by its founder, Morihei Ueshiba.   The greater purpose of BAMA is to offer services to individuals who may not be able to engage in such training due to economic constraints, as well as specific populations with special needs (i.e. women, children, and seniors).

What is Aikido?

Aikido, translated as the way of harmony with nature, is a modern form of budo combining vigorous physical training with spiritual discipline, it is also known as the Art of Peace.  It uses a system of holds, throws, and joint locks as its principle techniques and can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.  Techniques are normally preformed by “blending” with the motion of the attacker, rather than directly opposing the attack.  Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on redirecting the opponents’ energy.  It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement and balance.  Aikido movement is circular and fluid, reflecting the organic motion of nature.

Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) who was known as O-Sensei (Great Teacher). Even as a young man O-Sensei was an extraordinary martial artist, a master of the sword, the staff, the spear, and the art of jujutsu. He also had a stong spiritual drive and brooded over the futility of a path based on victory over others. O-Sensei combined his life study of martial, philosophical and spiritual disciplines with his personal genius to create a form of budo dedicated to the protection of life. "The secret of Aikido," he wrote, "is to harmonize with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself." O-Sensei maintained that aikido is a work of love, a path to overcome discord in ourselves and bring peace to the world, and "to make the heart of the universe one's own heart." O-Sensei was fond of the multiple layers of interpretation that the word “aikido” provided and encouraged his students to peel away at the layers of aikido like layers of an onion.  He often referred to aikido as a spiritual love whose function is to unify the world and to reconcile the discord of the universe. 

The essence of all Aikido technique is the use of total body movements to create spherical motion around a stable, energized center. Even when a technique appears to be using only one part of the body, close observation reveals the Aikidoists movements are, in fact, total body movements. Properly executed, some techniques are spectacular; sending an opponent flying thorough the air. Others are small, deft movements that immobilize the aggressor. Both results are achieved through precise use of leverage, inertia, gravity, and the action of centrifugal and centripetal forces. Ultimately, it is the energy of the attack itself which brings down the attacker.

Visitors are always welcome at Bend Aiki Martial Arts.  Whether participating, observing or simply curious, we value your presence and look forward to meeting you.

***Donations are graciously accepted to support our scholarship fund which helps Central Oregon community members train at our dojo.  If you wish to donate to this fund, please click the button below.  If you have a sincere desire to train at our dojo and are unable to due to economic constraints, please contact us for a scholarship application.