The Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America (AYANA) is a non-profit
educational corporation established by
Yoshokai Aikido has been developed by Kushida-sensei through years of hard
training and teaching experience and through his continuous study and deep
knowledge of the principles of and philosophy of Budo. Yoshokai Aikido became
solidified with Kushida-sensei's teachings of the underlying principles behind
Aikido, and the importance of the relationship between Shite and Uke to study
The techniques and movements of Aikido may seem like fighting, but they are
actually two people working together to create one technique. One person, Shite,
who looks like the winner, studies balance and focus. The other person, Uke,
studies off-balance and helps Shite study his best form.
Just as positive and negative currents are necessary for electricity, both Shite
and Uke are needed to make one Aikido technique. There can be no technique
without both parts. Furthermore, there cannot be one part without the other.
Shite is Shite because there is Uke, and without Uke, there cannot be Shite.
With the combination of balance and off-balance, two people try their best to
create the most beautiful harmony through physical techniques. Each person
studies to fully be Shite or Uke in order to best fit with his partner and to
best fit each situation and moment.
Kushida-sensei currently teaches Yoshokai Aikido through AYANA, assisted by
Akira Kushida-sensei, the AYANA Steering Committee, and the teaching members of
AYANA. Kushida-sensei's hope is that many people will be able to understand and
enjoy his pure Aikido as he himself continues to study the beautiful way of
AYANA is a non-profit educational organization that admits students of any race, color, or national or ethnic origin.