tai chi: chen style
Also called taiji quan or supreme pole boxing. Movements are sometimes slow and soft, then suddenly swift and sharp, with the interplay of opposites - Yin and Yang. Each class will include Qi Gong, stretching, form work and pushing hands (partner work). Open to all levels. Wear loose comfortable clothing.

aikido public demonstration
The Aikido Association of Nantucket offer a free, public demonstration of this Japanese Martial Art of Peace. Wear loose fitting clothing to participate or just come and observe. It is fun, safe and a healthy experience for your whole being!

aikido
Lou Guarnaccia, 5th Dan (Degree) Aikido Black Belt, teaches the newest of the Japanese martial arts known for it’s circular fluidity and dynamic throws. The practice of Aikido improves mind and body through proper breathing, flexibility, endurance, self-defense and “Ki.” Ki is the unseen energy that powers the practitioner. No experience is necessary.

Aikido Association of Nantucket

Martial: of relating to, or suited for war or a warrior.
Art: Skill acquired by experience, study, or observation
-Webster¹s New Collegiate Dictionary

Ai: Harmony
Ki: Life Force
Do: the way

Aikido: (pronounced eye-key-do) the way of harmonized energy

Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido (1883 - 1969) O¹Sensei (as he was lovingly called by his students) trained as a young man in several styles of martial arts before creating Aikido. He studied Shinkage style of the Japanese sword, Kodokan Judo, and Daito Ru Jujitsu.

Later in life Uesheba had an insight; Man was put on this earth not to fight, but to be in harmony with one another and his surroundings. It is out of this very thought that he created the peaceful martial art of Aikido.

Aikido is known as the art of peace. Aikido is the only martial art thatprotects the attacker from your own defensive counter attack. There are no aggressive moves (kicks or punches) in this martial art. We do not need a weapon as it is practiced with an empty open hand. And, Aikido is a full contact art. We use the energy that is offered by an aggressive attacker. We
blend with that energy, there-by rendering the initial attack in- effective and end the aggressive intent by using pain, but not injury, to efficiently
take down the opponent. Aikido is the only martial art that does this.

Aikido is the way of non-resistance and is undefeatable from the very beginning from any attack. The movements and the very nature of Aikido are identical to the very nature of water. It always follows the path of least resistance and is always consistent with itself and continually in a state of change. The seemingly effortless movements of Aikido are deceptive. It appears to be easy to the untrained observer. Seeing people fly through the air or to be taken down with a joint lock or pressure point to the attacker.

The power of a properly executed technique has virtually no limit. No limit, because we blend with the energy of the attacker with our own chi/ki/energy. In very advanced practice the aikido player barely needs to touch the opponent.

At The Aikido Association of Nantucket, our approach to Aikido is strongly based on body alignment and the yin & yang principles of Tai Chi Chuan.

Proper posture and exact body alignment in a relaxed state while keeping the mind in the tan tien sets the stage for effortless power. This approach is easily grasped by anyone who studies with us.

The group of people that make up our dojo are very friendly and always are willing to help the new aikido student. We have a lot of fun during our classes while we learn a great deal about our selves. The two rules that are of the utmost importance while studying at our school are; 1) love your practice, and 2) no competition. If you love your practice, no matter what your do in life, you will be good at it. If you take away all competitors, there is no win or loose situation, and you gain a new competitor... yourself.

I invite anyone over the age of twenty one to come in and try one of our classes, and to see if our Aikido is for you. It¹s safe, it¹s fun and very
healthy for your whole being.

Thank you, Louis Guanraccia, 5th Dan Black Belt