Foothills Aikido was established in Golden around 1991. After a monster snowstorm damaged the dojo in 2003, Foothills Aikido moved to a new venue in Evergreen. In July of 2006, Steve Nelson sensei adopted Evergreen Martial Arts Academy as Foothills Aikido's new home. Hundreds of Aikido students (Aikidoka) have benefited from the Foothills Aikido organization since its formation and its union with EMAA can only be perceived as beneficial for all parties concerned.

Check out the Foothills Aikido website for more information about their program. Bear in mind that some parts of the site are a bit out-of-date, but there's still plenty of valid material.

Aikido is a non-aggressive, non-combative martial art where the emphasis is on redirecting the opponent's energy and subduing them with the minimum force. Aikido is an excellent means of self-defense and aggressor immobilization while minimizing the risks of injury. Aikido classes are suitable for adults of any age and kids over the age of 10 years. No athletic ability is required.

Here is a video that demonstrates how Aikido techniques are used to defend against one or two attackers.

Perhaps one of the most famous Aikidoka (practitioner of Aikido) is Steven Seagal who is a Seventh Dan (seventh degree black-belt). Here is a video of him in action using techniques to fend off one, two and four attackers.

Here is the class schedule:

The advanced class is by invitation only. Students must have the instructor's explicit permission to attend the advanced class.

Evergreen Martial Arts Academy uses a pay-as-you-go plan for tuition fees. That means no contracts! Discounts are available for 3-monthly payments and for multiple family members.

The fee schedule is shown in the following table.

Aikido Background

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba in 1942. Ueshiba was well trained in a number of martial arts including Kenjutsu (sword), Sojutsu (spear), Jujitsu and Aiki-jutsu and the development of Aikido drew heavily from these disciplines. Despite having been derived from these other martial arts, Ueshiba developed Aikido to be a nonaggressive and non-violent form of self-defense. It was also his goal to encourage Aikido students to adopt a peaceful and harmonious existence. Better insight into Morihei Ueshiba's philosophies can be found in 'The Art of Peace', a collection of his talks, poems and calligraphy.

Aikido offers four basic advantages to its practitioners:

• Physical fitness
• Rhythmic movement
• Discipline
• Nonviolent attitudes

 It improves students' strength and suppleness and increases their awareness of posture and good body alignment. Aikido also improves students' reaction speed, perceptions and coordination.

Students learn to use an opponent's force by bringing it into his/her own circle, neutralizing aggressive action by gaining control of the attacker. Aikido is essentially non-combative, emphasizing throwing and joint-locking techniques over striking and kicking techniques. Aikido's primary aim is a healthy mind and body and a wholesome spirit.

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