AIKIDO FLORIDA ACADEMY

GAMAN DOJO

Aikido Florida Academy – Discipline, Respect, and Personal Growth

At Aikido Florida Academy, we promote discipline, respect, and harmony through Aikido training for students of all ages. We also offer a special anti-bullying program, designed to help children and teens build self-confidence and learn how to respond to difficult situations calmly and effectively.

Aikido, the Japanese martial art founded by O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century, is a comprehensive system of throws, joint locks, strikes, and holds based on principles of non-resistance and redirection of an attacker’s energy.

Located in Orlando, Florida, our academy is led by Master Nelson Requena, a 7th Dan Aikikai (Japan) and Chief Instructor of Venezuela Aikikai. Master Requena offers high-level instruction using both traditional and modern Japanese teaching methods, sharing not only the physical techniques but also the deep philosophy of Aikido.

A Non-Competitive Path to Personal Development

At Aikido Florida Academy, we view Aikido not just as a form of self-defense, but as a path of physical, mental, and spiritual self-development. There are no competitions in Aikido; students advance by demonstrating their understanding of techniques, which become more challenging as they progress in rank.

Training is cooperative, with techniques practiced against energetic and realistic attacks, while maintaining a focus on resolving conflict in a non-violent and non-destructive way.

Students learn to respond to:

• Punches, kicks, and grabs

• Chokes and holds

• Multiple attackers

• Armed attacks

Techniques may end in joint locks or immobilizations, or in dynamic movements where the attacker is safely thrown to the mat—or even through the air—in a controlled fall. Aikido emphasizes circular, spiral, and flowing movements, rather than linear force, allowing practitioners to harmonize not only with their own energy but also with that of the attacker.

More Than a Martial Art

O-Sensei envisioned Aikido not merely as a way to defeat an opponent, but as a means to cultivate the ideal warrior spirit, and ultimately to transcend dualistic conflict. He believed Aikido could be a path of inner growth for anyone, regardless of nationality, background, or physical ability.

Because of its blend of simplicity and depth, Aikido can be both challenging and highly rewarding. It leads us toward greater harmony with ourselves and the world around us, helping us become more balanced, complete, and integrated human beings.

"To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. The art of peace is to control aggression without inflicting harm."

-MORIHEI UESHIBA