Peter Holland Jr. // Staff Writer
Aikido is no ordinary martial art. The practice is not used as a platform of violence; instead it teaches students self-defense and energy releasing techniques.
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art, defined as a way of unifying life energy. It involves entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of the opponent’s attack.
Unlike other martial arts, such as taekwondo or karate, aikido does not involve striking or any form of ruthless aggression. The sport focuses more on techniques.
“We focus on not causing harm. That’s the principle behind aikido,” said James Ashe, the president and instructor of the Panther Aikido Club. “It’s all about taking balance. That’s everything. Without having any experience, that helps a lot because you’re a blank slate. If you can’t do a technique slowly, you can’t do it at all because doing it fast and muscling the person works, but there is always someone that’s always bigger and faster. So, what are you going to do for that person?”
Panther Aikido Club was discovered by former graduate student Mitch Fernandez in fall of 2010, according to Ashe. Ashe, a mechanical engineering major, is the first member to have a certified black belt from Panther Aikido. Originally a taekwondo fighter, the senior joined the club after being invited by a friend.
“The transition was interesting,” said Ashe. “It wasn’t really a big deal at the time. But in this induration of the aikido club, I’m the first person to go from white belt to black belt completely within this club. Like I didn’t come with aikido experience from another dojo or anything. I started from this club and ended where I’m at now.”
The Miami Gardens native is also involved on campus as a member of the anime club and a member of the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE).
Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, each member will meet and train in the Gold Room on the second floor of the FIU Recreation Center..
“I tried it out the first day and I stuck with it,” said Brianna Weiss, the vice president of the club. “I think it’s great, especially for girls to learn because I thought you need to have strength for this, you don’t have to be strong for this which is awesome.”
Weiss, a junior biomedical engineering major, encourages all students, especially the women who live on campus, to join the aikido club so they can learn to protect themselves if they are in danger.
“It’s something to do and something great especially for the girls if a creep is bothering you on campus,” said Weiss. “If anything, this is a way to be able to protect yourself in for most of other students and the people that attack you is always someone that you know. It’s great self-defense for yourself and you don’t have to be physically strong to do it.”
Gabriel Torres, another member of the club, also encourages students to join the club because of the benefits that it provides. The freshman IT major enjoys martial arts, but was physically unable to participate in any competitive martial art clubs before joining Panther Aikido. He also thinks that club sports is good for students who don’t have anything else to do in their spare time.
“To anyone who has nothing to do on campus, take advantage,” said Torres. “You never know the people you meet. You never know what you’re going to learn. I was hoping to get into something that was more aggressive, but you don’t need to be strong to do this. It’s all about technique and a wonderful way to defend yourself without messing up the other person. It’s an option. You will learn a lot, if you keep at it, it will stay with you for life.”
For more information about the Panther Aikido Club, go to pantheraikido.org or pantheraikido@gmail.com
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