Iaido classes are offered at Methuen Aikido weekly Thursday at 7:30pm.

What is Iaido?

I = being, AI = harmony, DO = way . "The way of harmonising oneself in action”.

Iaido is the art of drawing a sword. It is a modern non-combative discipline based on the proficient use of the traditional Japanese sword. Training develops the student's mental and physical abilities. Practice is done by reacting to a sword attack and launching a counter attacking with a sword. The Iaidoka uses a sword: not to control the opponent, but to control himself. See the Methuen Kirei Iaido Curriculum.

Iaido is mostly performed solo as a series of Kata. The Iaidoka executes various techniques against single or multiple imaginary opponents. Each Kata begins and ends with the sword sheathed. In addition to sword technique, practitioners require imagination and concentration in order to maintain the feeling of a real fight and to keep the Kata fresh. In order to properly perform the kata, Iaidoka also learn posture and movement, grip, and swing.

Iaido forms (kata) are characterized by drawing of the sword from the sheath in a continuous fluid like motion cutting an imaginary attacker, followed by the finishing cut, cleansing of the blade, and lastly resheathing the blade. For a quick-look at Seitei Katas.

Sensei Alexander G. Markauskas is leading weekly Iaido classes at the Methuen Aikido dojo.

Sensei Markauskas started studying martial arts in 1972. In 1993 he enrolled in the "Japanese Swordsmanship School" Doshi Kai Kendo and Iaido dojo. Sensei Markauskas currently holds nidan (2nd degree blackbelt) rank in Iaido awarded by the All US Kendo Federation (AUSKF) in 1999. He is trained in Sietei-Gata Iaido and Eishin-Ryu Iaido. He also holds rank in Uechi-Ryu Karate, Shotokan Karate and officiates at Karate and Kickboxing tournaments throughout the United States.