This beginner friendly class explores the use of the sword in the Spanish fencing tradition. 

Join us for a 12-week Aikido miniseries exploring the foundations of safe falling, embodied awareness, and close-
connection movement. Rooted in the traditional Japanese art of Aikido, this course will introduce participants
to core principles of balance, non-resistance, and adaptive problem-solving in dynamic physical encounters.
Unlike competitive combat styles, Aikido emphasizes cooperative training and fluid responses to force, making
it ideal for anyone looking to develop confidence, spatial awareness, and physical resilience.

What You’ll Learn

• Safe falling techniques: Learn how to fall without fear. Rolling and breakfall techniques will be taught progressively and safely.
• Centering and grounding: Develop internal stability in motion and under pressure.
• Close-connection movement: Practice blending with an “opponent” through structured drills designed to cultivate sensitivity, timing, and non-verbal communication.
• Conflict as collaboration: Explore partner-based exercises that challenge reaction habits while fostering calmness and constructive responses in close-range “combat” scenarios.

Who Should Attend

• Martial artists curious about non-competitive grappling and cooperative flow.
•  Fencers, dancers, or movement practitioners seeking cross-disciplinary training.
•  Beginners looking for a mindful, low-impact introduction to martial arts.
•  Anyone interested in improving balance, coordination, and body awareness.

All bodies and experience levels are welcome. Modifications and support will be provided to ensure safety and accessibility. No previous Aikido experience required.

What to Bring

• Comfortable athletic clothing that allows full-body movement
• Water bottle

Instructor

Andrea Schneider is a 2nd degree black belt Aikido practitioner with 30 years of training. Her Nidan was awarded by Mariye Takahashi Sensei, a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido.
Andrea has a background in psychology, somatics, and trauma-informed movement education.

Atienza Kali is an edged weapon system created by the Atienza family based on their experiences on the streets of New York City in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, ambushes by multiple attackers was a very common occurrence. The Atienza family trained not for sport or competition, but to simply deal with the attacks they witnessed or were subject to on a regular basis in their neighborhood. The AK System focuses on the combative use of long blade (machete), Knife, improvised weapons and empty hand counters against knife attacks and multiple attacker scenarios.