Congratulations to Our Newest Black-Belt

Congratulations are in order for Dave Johnson, our newest Sho-Dan (1st Degree Black-Belt). He recently passed his final of several grueling tests to achieve this important rank. We had a fantastic turn-out of 20 students to participate in the test. I was very pleased with the nature of attacks, the control, and attention to safety. Dave performed with honor, class and with a solid martial spirit. His test consisted of 140 attacks. The specific attacks evaluated during the test were punches, kicks, grips, knife, club, gun and multiple attackers defenses. We will be presenting his belt and certificate shortly in a special ceremony conducted by Sensei John Carter. Dave is the 11th Black-Belt who has been promoted by Sensei Carter out of the Columbia, SC dojo.

Congratulations Dave and Good Work Columbia, SC!

Fall/Back-to-School Enrollment

We had a great summer and are gearing up for the Fall/Back-to-School crowd. Sessions have been full during the summer months and we do have some class limitations for new enrolling students. Potential students are encouraged to enroll early to secure their slot. Our enrollment package is $135.00 which includes the first month of classes, uniform and registration. We have youth and adult classes available in Lexington, SC and a youth program available in Irmo, SC. Our course structure breakdown is as follows:

Youth Martial Arts: Ages 5 to 7
Youth Aikido: Ages 8 to 12
Adult Aikido: Ages 12 and up
Self-Defense Fundamentals: Ages 12 and up


Please call or email Sensei Carter for class schedule and availability. Visit www.aikidoacademy.com for more information.

Sensei Carter Teaching Aikido in Irmo, SC

We will be expanding our classes in Irmo, SC. Sensei Carter, with 22 years of martial arts experience, will begin teaching a Friday Youth Martial Arts class at 6:00. The classes will kick off on Friday, August 8th. The current Monday class instructor, Mr. Tom Tuckey, will be team-teaching with Sensei Carter. The classes will be held at our partner martial arts school located at 10071 Broad River Road. Current space is limited, so register or transfer your membership to this class as soon as possible. For questions, contact Sensei Carter at 951.3559 or senseicarter@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Sensei John Carter

Summer Camp A Huge Success!

We just completed our Youth Summer Camp and everyone had a great time. We had 25 children in attendance and not only did we learn alot, but we developed teamwork, friendships, and participated in some fantastic activities. Our day started at 9:00, ended at 12:00, and lasted Monday through Friday. Our day went as follows:

1. Exercises
2. Martial Arts Class
3. Life Skills Lesson
4. Break and Snack
5. Activity 1
6. Activity 2
7. Dismissal

Our important life skill lessons were:

Knot tying - (square knot)
First Aid
Fire Safety
Stranger Awareness
Fourth of July Safety

The children were a pleasure to work with and all arrived at the dojo eager to learn and full of energy. We finished the camp off with two group pictures and everyone went home with an Aikido Academy of Self-Defense T-shirt. I want to thank my Adult and Junior Leaders who assisted with the camp, the parents who supported the camp, and of course all the campers. See you next summer!

Sensei John Carter

Best Martial Arts Program for Children

We are pleased and proud to announce our academy was voted "Runner-Up" as The Best Martial Arts Program for Children in the June 2008 edition of Palmetto Parent Magazine. We have been working extremely hard in order to provide our students with an unique martial arts, fitness, and self-defense learning experience. We have wonderful members and great family support of our programs. I want to say thank you to all our assistant instructors and students who make our academy the best martial arts academy for youth and adults in the Columbia, SC area.

-Sensei John Carter

Aikido Academy of Self-Defense Featured on WLTX NEWS 19

Our school was recently featured on WLTX News 19. We taught a corporate self-defense course at Verizon Wireless, and the news media covered our class. Below is a copy of the article. Tom Tuckey and Maxine Henry taught the class and did a great job. Thanks.

Moms, Wives, Sisters Learn to Fight Back

(Columbia) - The Verizon Wireless Call Center behind the Richland Mall partnered with The Aikido Academy to host a Self-defense class for everyone; but especially women. More than techniqes, women learned a mindset. "I can strike back and I will strike back; that's as much as what we try to emphasize in these classes," says Assistant Teacher Thomas Tuckey. For Evelyn Anderson it's about training her mind before an attacker strikes. "Last year there were a lot of incidents where people were coming into homes in my neighborhood," adds Anderson. But she doesn't just have herself to think of. "In the morning when my daughter and I were leaving I was terrified; If that happened to me what would I do and this came along and I said it was a good opportunity," adds Anderson. Evelyn isn't alone in the opportunity to fight back. Other moms, wives and younger sisters are learning too. Aikido Instructor Thomas Tuckey says the first line of defense is probably the last thing that comes mind: relaxing. "The natural reaction is to tense up, you become very easy to be picked up and thrown around," adds Tuckey. Kind of like picking up a young child while they're asleep, Tuckey says it's a whole lot harder when limbs are loose. The other quick trick are three strikes: palm-heel, elbow or knee strike."On one hand you can train for years on the other you can do some basic self - defense moves that can get you out of a very dangerous situation," Tuckey says. Tuckey says it's not about fighting but defending. "You want to defend yourself and leave; disengage."

Nihon Goshin Aikido Demonstration - Airport High School