Since 2005, Asiatic Martial Arts - Bushinkan Dojo has been providing instruction in the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido in the Chicago, IL area. Under the direction of Mr. Shareef Muhammad, Bushinkan is an affiliate and member Dojo of Aikido United. Headed by Warren Jones, Sensei - 6th dan, Aikido United is an association of independent Dojo united by the particular aikido methodology that we study. Our classes are currently being held at:
Hayes Park Field House 2936 W. 85th Street (2 blocks east of Kedzie)
This site is designed to give you information about our facility, our style of martial arts, our staff and provide you with information on how to contact us as well.
What is Aikido?
Loosely translated, Aikido means "way of accord."
Contrary to what many people may claim, there is no unified philosophy of Aikido. There is, however, a collection of ethical and metaphysical beliefs which are somewhat shared by Aikidoists. These are either transmitted by word of mouth or found in various publications about Aikido. That being said, at the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of Aikido, one may identify at least two fundamental threads: a commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible and a commitment to self-improvement through Aikido training.
Aikido emphasizes evasion and circular/spiral redirection of an attacker's aggressive force into throws, pins and immobilizations as a primary strategy rather than punches and kicks.
The primary strategic foundations of Aikido are:
moving into a position off of the line of attack
seizing control of the attacker's balance by means of leverage and timing
applying a throw, pin, or other sort of immobilization (such as a wrist/arm lock)
Strikes (atemi) are not absent altogether from the strategic arsenal of the Aikidoist, but their use is primarily (though not exclusively) as a means of distraction. A strike is delivered in order to provoke a reaction from the aggressor, creating a window of opportunity, facilitating the application of a throw, pin, or other immobilization.
Many Aikido schools train in varying degrees with weapons, including the jo (a staff 4 or 5 feet in length), the bokken (a wooden sword), and the tanto (a knife, usually made of wood, for safety). These weapons are used not only to teach defenses against armed attacks, but also to illustrate principles of Aikido movement, distancing, and timing.
Loosely translated, Aikido means "way of accord." 
