Iaido is known as "the way of sword drawing." In practice, it is the way of drawing, cutting, and re-sheathing a sword. In Japanese martial arts the term way refers to a path of self-development or cultivation. The way of learning to draw the Japanese sword becomes a practice in refining the self.

Practicing Iaido engages the mind and body fully. Iaido requires of us: mental discipline, sustained focus, attention to detail and awareness of how we recruit the self to perform action. Through practice we learn to formulate clear intention, gather oneself, organize our many parts to work together toward unified action, and then move fluidly, powerfully, definitively.

In this introductory session you do not have to have your own Japanese sword to participate. You may borrow a wooden bokken* from the dojo for use in the class. If you own a iaito, feel free to bring it. For this introductory session we will focus on exercises from standing. Footwork patterns include pivoting, sliding and stepping forward and backward. There will be some brief kneeling (e.g. sitting in seiza for bowing in and out at the start and end of class). No falling is required in the martial art of Iaido.

Benefits of regular Iaido practice:

Resilience, self-awareness, fortitude, perseverance, calm, easier breathing, reduced stress, improved focus, better balance, proprioception, patience, self-compassion, self-efficacy.

Intro participants will have opportunity to learn how to:

• Hold and wield the sword (using wooden bokken for this class)

• Execute sword motions relative to the center line of the body

• Move the feet, legs and hips so that the lower body supports the motions of the spine, shoulders and arms

• Raise the sword in line with the spine

• Attentively collect eye motion to align vision with intention

• Breathe intentionally with the movements

Over time, Iaido practitoners learn to:

• Make good use of the ground so that gravity becomes a friendly force and powerful movement flows effortlessly

• Enable the bones to transmit power cleanly so that the muscles can work efficiently

• Educate the left and right halves of the body to coordinate around a central axis

• Allow the ribs to expand and contract in sync with the rise and fall of the sword and breath

• Allow the eyes to settle and align with one’s intention

• Develop functional footwork unleashing the power and elegance of the sword forms

• Improve balance, realize dynamic stability

For more information about our style of Iaido or the history of Iaido, please visit our webpage and explore the link to further articles: http://www.multnomahaikikai.com/iaido/

Your instructor: Suzane Van Amburgh, Chief Instructor of Multnomah Aikikai.

Fee: $25 for the intro session / free to Regular Adult Members of Aikido Multnomah Aikikai.

When: Monday July 8, 2019, 7:30 pm - 8:30pm

Where: Aikido Multnomah Aikikai: 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239

If there is sufficient interest in the intro session, a series of classes will be offered. Private lessons with Van Amburgh Sensei are always available. Click to learn more about private lessons.

Register on our Eventbrite page

* If you do not have your own bokken you may borrow one from the school during class time. If you would like to buy your own bokken, they are available for purchase through us. From the online store, select "weapon," from the drop down menu. We recommend the lighter "Bokken - Daito" for this class. http://www.multnomahaikikai.com/store/