Aikido club finds niche at IU

Guy Haskell, sensei of IU’s Aikido Club, remembers the moment he was drawn to the sport in the 1970s. \nHaskell was visiting his sister in New York City and remembers seeing a smaller, elderly man in a dojo throwing much larger people around with “incredibly beautiful and powerful movements.” Since then, Haskell has received his Shodan — the first level of achievement — and was awarded his rank of fifth Dan in 2005.\nAikido Club President Nathan Sanders said the club “promotes peace through harmony.” This form of martial arts is different from the wrestling-like techniques of Judo, Ju-jitsu or mixed martial arts. In aikido, the attacker’s movements and energy dictate the maneuvers used in response. The philosophy of aikido is to manage conflict and find balance in your life, Sanders said. \nSanders, a graduate student, said the philosophical aspects are what drew him to the club three years ago. Aikido is more about growing and improving than it is about competition, he said. The club’s mission, according to its Web site, is to “provide an environment that encourages the social, spiritual and physical development of its members.”\nThe IU Aikido Club has been a part of the Bloomington campus for more than 20 years and currently has about 10 active members. The club is a member of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba , an international organization. The club is also a member of the IU Club Sports Federation, a division of IU Recreational Sports. The club is associated with Indianapolis Aikikai and Terre Haute Aikido. In addition, the group travels and attends seminars regularly in cities such as Chicago and Nashville, Tenn. \nNathan Mishler, a graduate student, has been a member of the club for five years and is currently an associate instructor for the one-credit HPER-E100 aikido course. Mishler enjoys helping people in his new-found teaching role.\n“The founder’s (of Aikido) ambition was to improve the world,” Mishler said. “I do that in my small way.”\nHaskell, who has worked at other schools teaching aikido, enjoys aikido because of the relaxation it provides. He said the most rewarding aspect of being an instructor is seeing someone with no experience come in and learn, improve and walk away with a greater confidence in life, \n“They end up finding a center physically and emotionally,” he said. \nAikido club meets from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building, room 293A, nicknamed “The Fort.” Those interested are encouraged to come to practice and observe. The club is open to students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Dues are $35 per semester.