Integral Aikido: The Science, Art and Spirit of Nihon Goshin Aikido Book by Jim Giorgi

Integral Aikido is a definitive, illustrated statement of the exceptional martial art of Nihon Goshin Aikido (NGA). Nihon Goshin Aikido is an extensive and comprehensive set of scientific principles which, when mastered, may be transformed by the practitioner into a unique art form creating movements of beauty, grace and devastating power. NGA is a martial art that originated in Japan and focuses on self-defense skills. The literal translation of Nihon Goshin is Japanese Self-Defense. The skills imparted by the study of NGA are founded in scientific principles of geometry, physics, anatomy and biomechanics. Because NGA is such an extremely effective system of self-defense, the application of its techniques can inflict serious injury upon an attacker. Aikido is, however, a non-aggressive, defensive art that seeks to avoid conflict even in a threatening situation. Whatever energy an attacker gives us, we accept without resistance, utilizing the attacker's own energy to neutralize the attack and the attacker himself. In all cases of conflict, the intent is to use the least amount of force and to inflict the least amount of damage necessary to restore peace, harmony and safety to all concerned. Integral Aikido is authored by Jim Giorgi. Illustrated by Svetlana Rozhkova. Photography by Jack Niewiadomski; Robert H. Trachman and Maurice Mondragon; Foreword by Robert B. MacEwen, Jr.

About the Author

Originally from New York, Jim Giorgi possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Education degree in School Psychology. He has been a practicing psychologist since 1977, working as a certified school psychologist and as a psychotherapist (N.Y. State-LMHC). He specialized in Biofeedback and is a certified EEG Neurotherapist. He is also certified in the practice of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). In 1983, he began the study and practice of both Zen meditation and the martial art of Aikido. Jim began his study of Nihon Goshin Aikido at the Aikido School of Self-Defense in Middletown, New York under the direction of Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. and has been a student of Sensei MacEwen continuously since that time. He was promoted to Sho-dan in September of 1988; to Ni-dan in July of 1996; and to San-dan in January of 2003. Since his promotion to Sho-dan, he has been an assistant instructor at the Aikido School in Middletown and has attended for many years the weekly black belt classes conducted by Shihan Bowe at NGAA headquarters in New Jersey. He also has traveled, both with Sensei MacEwen and on his own, to conduct seminars at NGA dojos and other martial arts venues around the country.