To new students

People who are interested in taking up a martial art do so for many different reasons. Some for health, fitness and weight loss, others for self defense. All martial systems (karate, Judo, Aikido) can address these student concerns. However, most schools focus the technical aspects of their art on the destruction of those who might threaten them in some way.

This is kind of an overdone approach to self defense. If life threatens you that much (and for many people it does), you need to carry a gun. Better still a machine gun might give you a little more security.

Martial arts not intended to destroy life but to improve the lives of those who practice them. The practice of a martial arts is not meant to make you more aggressive, but to teach you a non-confrontational attitude about life.

New Black Belts - 2003

This is not to say that a skilled martial artist could not destroy an attacker if such action is needed. All of the arts have hidden in them the means to take a life. Make no mistake, life is full of danger. If you're insecure and afraid, your own fear may prevent you from being able to dissipate a physical or verbal confrontation.

At American Institute we teach you the ability to control your fear. Fear is the real enemy that needs to be defeated.

Fear paralyzes the mind and body at the moment you most need a clear head and quick effective movement. How do you prevent fear? You don't. Fear is a human condition. It starts in the pit of your stomach and spreads through and paralyzes your body. But you can learn to control it. At the American Institute of Martial Arts I've spent 30 plus years teaching people how to control fear and it doesn't come from gaining confidence by looking at yourself in a mirror in a health spa or karate school.

First, you need to learn to breathe properly, second you need to learn relaxation because fear tightens the body the same way stress does, only more so.

Over a period of practice you begin to learn to relax and breathe properly. This method teaches student at the level of the subconscious. Soon, you learn to relax as you breathe. When stress hits you, you're able to breathe normally and dissipate it quickly to use your learned skills. Make no mistake, Aikido is a powerful martial art for defending oneself though its deadliness is hidden within the techniques. So that your practice is safe.

Group photo after Aikido test - 2010

Through Your training, you can learn to defend, discourage or hurt to escape an attacker. And, if it became necessary kill to save your life. Remember, you are who you believe you are. Change your beliefs, and you will change the outcome of your life. At the American Institute learn to tone up, gain self esteem, make friends and feel good about yourself. That's true confidence.

When searching for a martial arts school, it becomes difficult for a person to choose a school when each school they come across claims to teach every martial art in existance. That is called "marketing", which means you can learn ever so much more in their school than any other. Unfortunately, that's not usually the case. It takes a lifetime to learn one art, not several. But it does seem like you could learn more. However, that's business. Same as free. Except nothing is free. There is always a price to pay. A good Instructor is always a good Instructor, a poor Instructor is always a poor Instructor, regardless of the glitter and flash.

Master Bob Liedke