About Us

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Aikido is the newest of the Japanese Martial Arts.  It is a form of self-defense that was founded by Morehei Ueshiba, O'Sensei (12/14/1883-4/26/1969), in the 1920's and was introduced to the USA in the 1960's by Yoshimitsu Yamada.  

The name "Aikido" can be broken down into 3 words: "Ai" meaning harmony, "ki" spirit or energy, and "do" the path or the way.  What makes Aikido different than other Martial Arts and self-defense arts it that, as O'Sensei has been quoted to say "Aikido has no end...there is just the beginning and further growth."

HOW DOES IT STAND OUT FROM OTHER MARTIAL ARTS?

Aikido is a non-competitive art that is learned through respectful practice with partners, helping each other learn as well as through individual practice.  It's techniques are powerful and have the capacity to cause pain and injury if used at full capacity.  The techniques neutralize an attack by taking the attacker off balance and redirecting his momentum and combining that with the use of various locks, throw and pins.

Anyone is capable of learning and practicing Aikido.  Perfecting the art is a lifetime endeavor.  However, learning to defend yourself with Aikido techniques takes only a short amount of time.

Motor City Aikido is a non-profit organization that is a member of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) It was founded by Senseis Becker, Owczarek and Owczarek under the guidance of Sensei LaCorte, 6th Dan Shihan, of North Coast Aikikai.  It was established to spread awareness of the Japanese Martial Art know as Aikido.  It's foundation rests firmly on the teachings of O'Sensei, Morehei Ueshiba, who founded Aikido. 

Shihan LaCorte studied Aikido under Shihan Vecchio and Shihan Yamada.

Sensei Eric Vollrath began training in 1995 under Charlie McGinnis Shihan in Cincinnati, OH. He was awarded Shodan in 2006 from Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei 8th Dan Shihan and continued training under Cal Blanchard Sensei at Twin Cities Aikido in St Paul Minnesota, and Rob Hyatt at Tarzana Aikikai in Los Angeles California before moving to Detroit in 2021.