Cleveland Aikikai Dojo
featuring Aikido Martial Arts Asian Town Center February 9, 2013
On the 2nd floor of Asian Town Plaza on East 38th Street in Cleveland's AsiaTown you can find restaurants, art and the Cleveland Aikikai Dojo.
The Aikikai is the original school of Aikido. It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido). It is represented globally through the International Aikido Federation.
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Sensei Jim Klar of Cleveland Aikikai says that Aikido techniques teach one to prevent confrontation but how to deal with them if rational attempts do not succeed.
Jim Klar, Yondan - 4th Degree Black Belt, is the Head Instructor at Cleveland Aikikai and a member of both the CASE Aikido Club and Oberlin Aikido Club.
Jim Klar Sensei began his study at Cleveland Aikikai in 1987 and was awarded his shodan (first degree black belt) in 1991. In 1992, he traveled to Japan where he continued his training for two years under Ikuhiro Kubota Shihan (Nara Aikikai) and Kazuo Nomura Shihan (Osaka Aikikai).
Sensei Jim Klar of Cleveland Aikikai
Upon returning to the United States in 1994, he resumed his training under Saotome Sensei and became an instructor at Cleveland Aikikai. He received his nidan (second degree black belt) in 1995. In 1996 he became Head Instructor at Oberlin Aikikai. He became Head Instructor of Cleveland Aikikai in 1998. In 1999 Mitsugi Saotome Shihan awarded him the rank of sandan (third degree black belt). Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan promoted Klar Sensei to yondan (fourth degree black belt) in May of 2007.
In this short video clip, Jim Klar explains the philosohopy of Aikido.
