[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Ethics Charter” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator][vc_column_text]At United Aikido Dojos, we believe the study of martial arts goes hand in hand with spiritual development. Thus, we created the Code of ethics directing our modus operandi, which is based on core ethical principles. Following those principles, we ensure the smooth operation and development not only of the UAD as a whole, but also of every single member.

Our principles:

Unity

A trainee in martial arts is normally in pursuit of technical perfection; However s/he should also experience and seek harmony. Direct priority as defined by our very name («UNITED») is to instill to our members a sense of internal, collective unity. This aspect constitutes the ideological basis of our team and it is our source of strength!

Responsibility

Knowledge and strength always bring about greater responsibility. This is the reason why every practitioner in our dojos, apart from being a trainee or instructor should also be a valuable assistant to the rest. This can be achieved in different ways:

  • Everyone is responsible for the smooth evolution/progress of the whole team.
  • Everyone holds the responsibility to transmit the art of Aikido to the next generations of Aikidoka.
  • Everyone is responsible for the knowledge s/he possesses; s/he should not use it for personal gain.

Harmony

A martial arts practitioner, thought training, should seek harmony as means of individual development. The purpose is not to distinguish herself/himself from others but to find harmony and balance within. An individual having achieved internal harmony is an individual able to bring harmony and peace to the people around her/him and to society in general. When practicing Aikido, we pursue to develop individuals which bring a sense of harmony wherever they are.

Loyalty-Dedication

Martial arts practitioners initially forge their body. In reality, once they overcome what lies in the surface, they discover that it is indeed their character they are actually forging: the most important emotions they develop are on the same time two of the most important ones for an individual: loyalty and dedication are defined by the kanji «chuugi». We learn to believe in ourselves and to what we do, because this way we activate one of the strongest, life-giving emotions: loyalty.

Dedication is a companion and support for loyalty and vice versa. Sometimes our loyalty is shaken and we reach the point of giving up, not only on a physical but also on a spiritual level. This is the result of either what seems as unsurpassed difficulties or the fact we do not believe any more in our initial goal. That is where dedication kicks in, urging us not to give up the path we have been following for so long.

Benevolence

Last but not least is the power which can become a terrible weapon in the hands of those who possess it. It is natural for someone training in martial arts to gain strength above average, both on a physical and a spiritual level. However, strength without benevolence is nothing more than raw violence. Those who practice martial arts, and especially Aikido, strive for the exact opposite; they are aware that a world without kindness is a world of chaos.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”2681″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row]