Aikido is a budo developed by Morihei Ueshiba (O’Sensei- “Great Teacher”) as a combination of his martial studies and ethical philosophy.

Aikido is roughly translated as “the way (do) of unifying (ai) energy (ki).” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art where practitioners could defend themselves while protecting their attacker from injury. Blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the attack, rather than opposing it, is the act of aikido. The attacker’s energy is used to break balance and the techniques are completed with various throws or immobilizations. Aikido techniques come from a variety of martial traditions, but mainly from the koryu art of Daito Ryu.

Today aikido is found all over the world with various “flavors,” but all aikidoka share techniques learned from O’Sensei and have the goal of restoring peace.

Instructors: George Carroll and Dan Pierson

George started aikido in 1981 at the Lansing School of Aikido with Hideto Arimizu Sensei. The Lansing school was affiliated with Toyoda Sensei's school in Chicago. George moved to south Florida in 1986 where he studies Kenpo Karate at the Tiger and Dragon School of South Florida. In 1988 he resumed aikido training in Fort Lauderdale under Peter Bernath Sensei until he moved back to the Chicago area in 1992. George became a student of Wendy Whited Sensei in 1993 earning his blackbelt in 1994. George is the owner of Duham Designs, Inc., a custom fabrication company. The application of aikido principles is an essential part of George's daily life. George is grateful to the many instructors in his life: Wendy Whited Sensei, Kay Sandacz Sensei, Saotome Sensei, Ikeda Sensei, Toyoda Sensei, Arimizu Sensei, Bernath Sensei, and Donna Hollins Sensei.

Dan started aikido in 1991 at the Illinois State University club with Jeff Hecht Sensei. After graduating ISU, he trained in aikijujitsu. Dan resumed his training in aikido in 2002 at Prairie Aikikai and earned blackbelt in 2006. Dan has been a student of Wendy Whited Sensei since 2006. Dan is an educator by profession and feels it is his duty to continue to learn and share what’s been passed down from his teachers. (Dan is most influenced by Wendy Whited Sensei, Kay Sandacz Sensei, Saotome Sensei, Ikeda Sensei, Doran Sensei, Jeff Hecht Sensei, and Charlie Page Sensei.)