What is Aikido
Aikido is a defensive art form and a practice of mental and spiritual development, created in the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba, O Sensei (1883-1969). Through training, practitioners cultivate self-awareness and resiliency, a powerful center and a calm spirit. What are first just techniques later become intuitive responses to resolving conflict in oneself and ones environment.
About Blue Heron Aikido
Welcome to Blue Heron Aikido. We are located in Middlebury, Vermont—the center of beautiful Champlain Valley. Founded in 2004 by Jonathan Miller-Lane, we are a non-affiliated dojo with close ties to Two Cranes Aikido in Seattle Washington due to the fact that Miller-Lane Sensei studied with Kimberly Richardson Sensei, sixth dan, for eight years before moving to Middlebury. Richardson Sensei is a student of Mary Heiny Sensei and has also studied for several decades under Saotome Sensei, Ikeda Sensei and Tom Read Sensei. Motomichi Anno Sensei, Chief Instructor of Kumano Juku dojo in Shingu Japan also continues to shape Richardson Sensei’s practice. Hence, at Blue Heron Aikido we attempt to honor the practice and spirit of these extraordinary Aikido Shihan in our daily practice.