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By MICAH MERTES
Hays Daily News
Aikido, the Japanese martial art, isn't about hurting people or looking cool -- if these are your motives, try drunken boxing or karaoke.
But aikido's a philosophy, a way of life, a means of preventing violence, said Stephen Toyoda, the Zen master and director of the Aikido Association of America who visited Hays this weekend.
"It's about resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner rather than adding to the negativity," Toyoda said. "Aikido's about blending with energy in your daily life, in a lot of different ways."
These were some of lessons Toyoda reinforced at the Fort Hays State University Aikido Club's seminar this weekend, as the sensei taught self-defense and aikido techniques to about 30 students, faculty and community members.
Many members of the club were thrilled to have Toyoda here. He's a pretty big deal to anyone who practices aikido, one of the more popular instructors in the nation.
He's been doing it since he was three.
On several mats in a Cunningham gymnasium, participants practiced the various techniques and body movements, as Toyoda oversaw everyone's progress, occasionally stepping in for further demonstration.
The mastering of an aikido move is graceful and fluid. But the first practicing is slow, clunky and arduous, as students try to get a little better, faster each time.
"I think the initial phase can always be a little frustrating for an aikido student," said Brandon Nimz, Aikido Club president. "It's a continual process of practicing. But if you stick with it, after the first few weeks, you really start to notice a difference."
Kyle Valerio joined practicing with the club last spring, and he said in addition to improving his techniques and getting good exercise, aikido's just a lot of fun.
"A lot of my friends are in the club," he said. "And even if I take nothing else, I get to hang out with my friends and get some good exercise."
Micah Mertes is a reporter for The Hays Daily News and the director of The Stir. He can be reached at micah@thestironline.com or (785) 621-4515.
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