Programs
The Michigan Budokan offers programs that are open to the public. Presently these activities are hosted at the dojo of the Huron Valley Aikikai at 1904 Federal Blvd. in Ann Arbor. We look forward to expanding our offerings to the community in the future!
Programs listed here are offered without fees, though one-time or recurring donations to the Budokan will help ensure that we can continue to make these resources available for all. Thank you for sharing what you can!
Meditation
Silent, seated meditation is offered at the Huron Valley Aikikai dojo twice per week, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:00 AM. While we sit in the style of Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhism (a common meditation posture on cushions places on the floor), our sessions center around the basics of any meditation practice (posture, breathing, focus, etc.) and are 'non-denominational' in nature. Accommodations are available for those who have difficulties sitting on the floor.
Conditioning and Martial Movement
These sessions combine gentle but "scalable" movements drawn from several sources, most prominently the Original Strength system and Japanese martial arts, to promote general coordination, neuromuscular conditioning, and proper breathing to prepare the body both for more vigorous activities and life in general! The sessions are offered regularly at the Huron Valley Aikikai on Thursdays at 6PM. We gladly entertain requests for group introductory sessions at other times and locations. Come try a class and feel even better than you may today!
Participants of any level of physical condition can benefit, though of course if you have any concerns please talk with the instructors and your personal physician.
NEW - Group Guided Breathwork
Breathing is central to virtually all human activities - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Martial artists, athletes, and seekers of all kinds have long used various forms of breathwork to bring forth their full potential.
In these sessions, Certified Breathwork Facilitator Jackie Miller will work with participants to intersperse gentle connected breathing with breath holds (letting out the breath and suspending for a short time) to get a stronger sensation of the activated breath, creating an experience that can be refreshing, cleansing, and even inspiring.
Group breathwork sessions will be held on the first and third Sunday of each month from 6 to 7:30 PM, beginning August 20, 2023. For more information and to register, please visit Jackie's website here.