Aikido Intro Course Begins June 9 at the Abiding Spirit Center

Experience something new this season.

An introductory course in Aikido will begin on June 9 at the Abiding Spirit Center, located at 1829 Virginia Road, Crystal Lake.

Aikido is a martial art, but unlike the ones that usually come to mind. You won’t find any board breaking, yelling or rough calisthenics here. Instead, students are taught to improve awareness, cultivate mindfulness, better their health and flexibility, and learn a non-violent method of self-defense. Rather than train to get stronger and harder, students train to get softer and less confrontational.

Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm, beginning June 9, and continuing for 4 consecutive weeks. These classes are open to anyone with interest, ages 8 and up. It’s not unusual to have a class that includes teenagers as well as adults up into ages of 60 or so on the mat, all training together.

The classes will be taught by professional Aikido instructors Lisa Tomoleoni (6th degree black belt) and Michelle Tate (4th degree black belt). Both have over 10 years of teaching experience here in the Midwest area. In addition, Tomoleoni lived, trained and taught in Japan for over a decade, where she received authorization to teach this art from the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo.

The Abiding Spirit Center is a non-profit organization with a focus on empowering the individual, improving health, and strengthening relationships through the use of natural, traditional and creative avenues which utilize mind-body-spirit connections. The Center, in addition to Aikido training, offers services in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as Yoga and Meditation workshops throughout the year.

For further information see our website, contact us by email (abidingspiritcenter@gmail.com) or call (815) 444-6019.