The Aikido school of Athens/Winder is an independently ran Aikido dojo. We are a member of the Aiki Budo Association of America. We call the style we teach Takama Hara Aikido. Takama Hara translates as "all encompassing universe". This name was chosen not because we invented a new Aikido style. It was chosen because we feel there is too much derision between styles. Many people ask who's Aikido resembles that of Morihei Ueshiba and use that premise as a measuring stick to decide who's style is superior. Ueshiba himself rejected this premise as constricting and ego-driven. It is our belief that observing all styles of Aikido and related martial arts ( iaido, jujitsu,etc.) and finding their similarities and commonalities leads to a more rounded understanding of Aikido and all martial arts. Takama Hara simply put is being open to any and all possibilities - that everything in the universe is related.
