About Us

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Aikido is a Japanese martial art that was founded by O' Sensei Morehei Ueshiba. One of his students, Yoshimitsu Yamada, began teaching it in New York City in 1964. Yamada Sensei founded the United States Aikido Federation to spread this art which emphasizes harmony and non-violence. Aikido techniques are designed to minimize harm to both defender and attacker. As O'Sensei has been quoted to say "To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."

The name "Aikido" can be broken down into 3 words: "Ai" meaning harmony, "Ki" spirit, and "Do" path. What makes Aikido different than other martial arts is that Aikido is based on non-resistance. There is no direct opposition to incoming force. Rather, the attack is neutralized using Aiki and ends in the use of various locks, throws and pins.

Aikido is a non-competitive art that is learned through respectful practice with partners helping each other learn, as well as through individual practice. It's techniques are powerful and have the capability to cause pain and injury if used at full capacity, therefore we eliminate ego based competitions.

Anyone is capable of learning and practicing Aikido.  Perfecting the art is a lifetime endeavor.

Motor City Aikido is a non-profit organization that is a member of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) It was founded by Senseis Becker, Owczarek and Owczarek under the guidance of Sensei LaCorte, 6th Dan Shihan, of North Coast Aikikai.  It was established to spread awareness of the Japanese Martial Art known as Aikido.  It's foundation rests firmly on the teachings of O'Sensei, Morehei Ueshiba, who founded Aikido. 

Shihan LaCorte studied Aikido under Shihan Vecchio and Shihan Yamada.

Sensei Eric Vollrath began training in 1995 under Charlie McGinnis Shihan in Cincinnati, OH. He was awarded Shodan in 2006 from Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei 8th Dan Shihan and continued training under Cal Blanchard Sensei at Twin Cities Aikido Center in St Paul Minnesota, and then Rob and Nancy Hyatt at Tarzana Aikikai in Los Angeles California before moving to Detroit in 2021. Eric has been Nidan since 2024.