Park City Aikido is directly associated with Misasagi-Kai-the Dojo of Ishikawa Sensei who is located in Osaka, Japan and is fully accredited with World Aikikai Headquarters, Hombu Dojo, Tokyo.  As such, our training is recognized world wide and your credentials will go with you wherever you might practice. 
     Our  style of Aikido teaches techniques similar to those taught at in Aikikai Dojos worldwide.  Where we differ is that we teach Kata No Nai or formless Aikido to all students regardless of experience.  We make every attempt to make our classes enjoyable and safe.   Our primary intent is to teach the student to use their breath (we call this 'aikibreath') in order to remain still in their mind while moving their bodies naturally in the face of conflict.  Therefore, our classes are unique in that we are not particularly rigid in our presentation of the concepts.  A rigid presentation can lead to rigid minds and stagnant training.  In Japanese there is a phrase, "mushin no" which means "no mind."  This concept is very Zen and is integral to all that we teach. 
     We believe that training with weapons is a key to success in Aikido practice.  Aikido is the martial art of the Samurai so weapons training with the sword and staff is how we tie into the ancient past.  Also, weapons training teaches the student the importance of centeredness.  We practice with the bokken (wooden sword), jo (wooden staff) and tanto (wooden knife).  We do this using flowing forms and then move to paired practice.  Also, we practice defending weapons attacks free hand (we have no weapon, but the attacker does) so that the student can understand that the weapon is not the problem...the person holding it is the problem.  It is a lot of fun, challenging and a very rewarding part of our training.  Our Systema concepts allow us to practice non-standard attacks and extremely effective, street oriented defenses. 
     We do not get bogged down in kata.  Kata are rigid forms, procedures and techniques that can make Aikido practice stagnant and difficult.  Overemphasis on kata can also lead to technique that works in the dojo, but might not hold up on the street, at night or on uneven terrain. 
     We also try to teach methods that will work for each individual.  The techniques that a 5 ft tall, 100 lb teenage girl might use will vary from the techniques that a 6 ft tall, 220 lb man might employ:  Both individuals will use breath and movement, but the exact technique will often differ.  We expect that each student will develop their own style which will make Aikido a very personal part of their life. 
     An important facet of what we teach is that there is a built in "volume control" that the student has at his or her disposal and must determine based on the situation.  Compassion is taught to all students in order that methods are not used in an abusive fashion.  The founder of Aikido, O' Sensei, envisioned a world at peace and so our students learn that Aikido is more about healing than destruction.  This is not to say that what we teach would be ineffective in a life and death situation:  We believe that it would be MORE effective because an attack would be met with movement and calm. 
     The softer style of kata no nai is challenging in that it relies on aikibreath, utter centeredness and impeccable timing to be effective.  Our goal is for all students to aspire to this formless style.  In time, many of our students understand and practice the principles of Zen. An equally critical goal is that the student will be able to transfer what they learn beyond the dojo.  Our students gain a tangible sense of inner peace through their practice along with a strong sense of presence in the context of day-to-day life.