"Violence without beauty is a waste of time." - Wendy Whited Sensei
Aikido comes from the ancient Japanese tradition of the samurai - service.
Aikido is a non-competitive martial art based on unbalancing, turning aside and sliding past an attacker's strength. The study of Aikido increases flexibility, endurance, and balance. Most students find that it reduces stress and increases the ability to focus. Aikido can be a very effective form of self-defense. However, that is not the goal of Aikido; rather, we strive for agatsu, the control of ourselves.
Beartooth Aikido is affiliated with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. ASU is affiliated with Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. We are located in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland) region of Washington state.
Bruce Schmoetzer Sensei (Nidan — 2nd Degree Black Belt) is the chief instructor and Dojo Cho of Beartooth Aikido. He has 18+ years of Aikido training and experience.
