NOLA Aikido was founded in the fall of 2007 in the beautiful historic Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. We are a group of students of this art of peace (one translation of aikido), a healing meditative art of awareness and movement which provides practice in much more than just self-defense. We come to Aikido for a variety of reasons, but all share a commitment to ongoing personal, spiritual, and societal growth through disciplined and joyful practice. Some call Aikido a form of meditation in motion, and indeed our dojo is intended to be a place for this. "Dojo" means place for practicing a way (of spiritual and personal growth). Aikido is one such way.