Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Alamo City Aikido, a traditional Japanese martial art dojo in San Antonio teaching the way of harmony. 

Aikido is a highly effective martial art which many police agencies teach for their self-defense and arrest techniques.  However, aikido employs the principles of harmony, unity and conflict resolution through non-violence. 

In the words of O'Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido:   “Budo is not felling the opponent by force; nor is it a tool to lead the world into destruction by arms.  True Budo is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, correctly produce, protect, and cultivate all beings in nature.”                          

In this spirit, our dojo strives to honor these principles as passed down to me by my teachers, Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan.    

-Craig Slack Sensei, Head Instructor

Our Basics Classes are ongoing so that beginners may start at any time.

The weekend of Feb. 22-24, a few of us traveled to South Austin Aikido to attend a seminar with Mary Heiny Sensei.  With over 30 people on the mat representing dojos from such places as Houston, Round Rock, San Antonio, Austin and even Boulder, Colorado, there was ample opportunity to learn from every skill level of aikidoka. 

Heiny Sensei shared with us how her experiences at Hombu dojo have influenced her training today.  She discussed that our life options are not just "fight or flight."  The third option is aikido.  She helped us practice this third option of harmonizing with our partner through various exercises on posture, shifting weight and being the center of our own universe. 

All the positive energy both on and off the mat made it a great weekend!  Thanks to South Austin Aikido for such a great seminar!