Journey to Balance

Transform Through Aikido Practice

You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter

-Aikido Founder, Morihei Ueshiba

Many thanks to Birankai North America and Aikido in Fredericksburg for their incredible support to the Elys Ford Aikido opening and Agoge Organic Training Circle April 11 - 13, 2025.

The body arts classes Friday and Saturday were held at Aikido in Fredericksburg thanks to the hospitality of Chief Instructor Aviv Goldsmith and his students.

The weather cooperated nicely with sunny skies on Sunday with weapons classes at Feather in the Mane Farm. We were unexpectedly treated to a presentation on natural horsemanship and its relationship to Aikido by Feather in the Mane Farm and Rapidan Equine Sanctuary trainer, Kim Reid!

Shawn Rhodes was tested and passed his Nidan exam. Jamie Fucito received his Rokudan certificates from BNA and Hombu dojo.

Instructors, Phil Traunstein Shihan, Alex Peterson, Ed Hernandez, Read Omohundro, and Suzanne Gonzales-Webb and students from Aikido in Fredericksburg, Heaven and Earth Aikido, and other dojos far and wide made for a great weekend!

About

Elys Ford Aikido, serving Fredericksburg, Culpeper, and surrounding areas, is a community dedicated to Aikido, a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba (O'Sensei) that focuses on self-defense through blending with an attacker's energy.

Set on a horse farm on the Rapidan River, we practice the dynamic style developed by T.K. Chiba, Shihan, a direct student of O'Sensei. Our training enhances body, mind, and spirit, building self-confidence, coordination, and a calm, grounded temperament that extends beyond the dojo.

Our logo embodies Chiba Sensei's principles of being open, lively (triangle), centered, connected (circle), and whole (square). It features the local beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rapidan River, and Elys Ford. The rising sun symbolizes Aikido's origin and the three mountains of increasing height represent shuhari – one’s journey of transcendence through rigorous practice.