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Aikido has been present in the Twin Cities for the past 30 years. Its most popular gym, the Twin Cities Aikido Center on University Ave., just celebrated its 30-year anniversary. The center’s head instructor is third-degree black belt Lynne Vongries.

The Twin Cities Aikido Center is the second oldest gym in the country; only Chicago has an older center.

The center is also affiliated with the International Aikido Federation in Japan through the United States Aikido Federation.

“It’s name is Ai-ki-do. Ai is harmony, ki is spirit, and do is way,” said Vongries.

Vongries stressed that there is not a course schedule. Students join classes that they think best suit their experience level. The levels consist of children’s class, regular, basic, advanced, weapons Gokyu (a close-range class encorporating wooden weapons), and advanced Gokyu. There is at least one class each day.

Each lesson begins with the class kneeling to pay respect to the deceased founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.

“Aikido is a traditional art, so we inherit the etiquette that is followed by the Japanese culture,” Vongries said.

Once the silent paying of respects ends, the class gets up and goes into a set of stretching exercises.

Depending on the skill level, the class then practices different aspects of Aikido. Beginner classes master how to roll safely so the students can participate in throws and pins. More advanced classes learn advanced defensive take-downs and weapons handling. At the end of each specific skill being practiced, the instructor claps, signaling for the class to quickly sit down.

Class ends by once again lining up and kneeling to pay respects to Morihei Ueshiba. Then the class says thank you to their instructor, or sensei.

This gym on University Ave. has seen a constant flow of members since its opening in 1976.

“We enroll about 200 people a year, and at least 45 to 50 of them put in hours at the gym every month,” Vongries said. At the Tuesday night basic skill level class, there is upwards of 14 students, young and old. Students normally practice in pairs of two.

Students are paired with a new partner for each exercise, and are expected to bow to their new partner before they begin practicing.

The gym is also a non-profit organization. “We have rented this building for the past 30 years,” said Vongries. “Nobody gets paid, it's all volunteer. Monthly fees go to rent, lights, electricity, and seminars.”

Vongries wants to spread her knowledge of Aikido onto new generations of students willing to learn. She said that someone taught her and she will continue this cycle.

Her lessons teach self-defense without injury to attackers. That is how Aikido differs from other traditional Asian martial arts.

Movements of Aikido are also different from other martial arts. As stated on the center’s website, “The Aikidoist harmonizes with, rather than confronts an aggressive line and converts it into a circular motion that renders attackers helpless.”

The Aikidoist trains to apply wristlocks, arm pins, or unbalancing throws to take down aggressors. This tactic is done without any serious injury to the adversary. Other martial arts forms incorporate dangerous kicks or punches to take down an opponent. Aikido does not seek harm.

Aikido also differs from other martial arts because it isn’t a sport like karate and other arts; there are no competitive tournaments to show off acquired skills. Students only compete against themselves.

The expertise ranks of Aikido are also different. “You practice a certain amount of hours, and then you execute a test in front of the rest of the group and the testing committee,” Vongries said. She is on the testing committee for the lower ranks. For higher ranks, the center will bring in other people from around the country who have a more extensive background in Aikido.

There are five ranks, called kyu. After the ranks of kyu, there are black belt grades called dan. The first black belt grade is called shodan (beginning dan), then 2nd dan, 3rd dan, and so on.

According to Vongries, a rank of black belt does not indicate an expert, but instead identifies a senior student. Typically, if a student practices three hours per week, applying themselves seriously, then it will take about five years to achieve the lowest rank of black belt, shodan.

Aikido offers self-defense but also teaches self-harmony and self-improvement. The center emphasizes proper etiquette, attitude, and behavior. It stresses throwing and falling equally. There are no opponents, only assistants.

The instructors teach Aikido with the theory that students will acquire the technique by being thrown, and then practice the technique by throwing.

Vongries said that Aikido also improves self-confidence, concentration, alertness, and concern for others. The physical aspect of the art improves stamina, balance, flexibility and coordination, and strength.

There is an ethic when studying Aikido, too. According to their website, “Aikido aims to defend yourself without vengeance, to forgive your enemies, and to harmonize with any attack of any description.”

Vongries teaches her students to remember founder Morihei Ueshiba’s life-lesson about Aikido: “Avoid confrontations, harmonize with unavoidable ones, and maintain grace under pressure through good times and bad.”

The Twin Cities Aikido Center offers monthly rates for members: $40 for adults and $20 dollars for students. Single session visits during any day of the week are $5. Classes are currently inviting new members to join. Basic sessions consist of a mixed crowd from age 16 and up.

Standard Aikido wear consists of a traditional white practice uniform called a keiko-gi. But for someone who is there just to check things out, a sweatshirt and sweatpants is appropriate. Wearing a loose long-sleeved shirt and pants is the main idea; just be comfortable.

For more information on Aikido and the Twin Cities Aikido Center, visit www.TCAikido.com.