Danny Yahini's socks swish against the matted floor as he demonstrates eight directions, an Aikido martial arts exercise intended to defend against three to four attackers using 360-degree vision. His sinewy arms thrust forward and his eyes dart to all corners of the Dakini Studio located at The Wire, 21 Kern St.
Every Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Yahini instructs Athens residents and students on how to defend themselves, throw others and balance inner harmony through the Japanese martial art of Aikido.
Founded in the 1920s and '30s by the Japanese master swordsman Morihei Ueshiba (or O-Sensei meaning great teacher), Aikido (ah-kee-doh) focuses on learning to treat one's attackers with compassion, Yahini said. The purpose is not to hurt someone
he said. You see the attacker not as a bad person but as someone who is out of harmony. Part of it is learning to take care of your attacker.
Yahini began practicing in 1977, when Aikido was becoming popular in the United States. He trained with a student of O-Sensei, and when he moved to Athens, decided to become an instructor of the martial art. He has been teaching this particular class for two years.
Unlike other martial arts that teach skull-splitting or arm-snapping tactics, Aikido is nonviolent in nature. Watching Yahini and his student, Dan Dolata, play uke (attacker) and nage (the one being attacked) is more like witnessing a dance ritual as both men toss and tumble in fluid rhythm.
After a session you feel hot tired and sweaty; it's very vigorous - but you also feel like you spent an hour and a half with a group of people learning to be more compassionate more connected and more able to help others
Dolata said. Through taking Yahini's class, Dolata said he feels less aggressive and more passionate about life.
Yahini recommended Aikido for students. Not only is it a self-defense, but its exercises, such as eight directions, are designed to help juggle multiple tasks with complete focus and attention.
Women, especially those with dance experience, have had the most success with Yahini's class, he said. Aikido teaches twisting one's body to escape attacks instead of counter-attacking with strength and aggression. Muscular men seem to have the most difficulty adapting to this, said Yahini, but added that anyone young, old, in shape - or out of - can learn the ways of Aikido.
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Danny Yahini (foreground) leads students in Aikido at The Wire. From left, Dan Dolata, Theo Peck-Suzuki and Alina Kordesch practice the nonviolent Japanese martial art, creating harmony with themselves.
