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Senior Adam Nelson grabs the hand of senior Brian Moss during an Aikido session. The club is holding a seminar on Nov. 17 at the Williams Center.

Aikido club members kick off new year

By: Dan Doverspike

Posted: 11/7/07

Students looking for an activity to relieve the pressures of everyday college life need to look no further than one of UW-Whitewater's own groups.

Aikido, a club sport centered on a form of Japanese martial arts, offers students a chance to stay active and an opportunity to get away from daily routines. Senior Adam Nelson, captain of the club, said it is important for students to get involved on campus and Aikido offers them that chance.

"As a student, it is nice to have a place to go on campus to just forget about everything else," Nelson said. "Aikido is great because it challenges your body both mentally and physically, which helps in everyday life."

Aikido is a martial arts form that people use to defend themselves while also caring for the well-being of their attacker. Sensei Lionel Romanzo oversees and instructs UW-Whitewater's Aikido club and wants participants to learn how to control themselves and resolve conflict.

"Obviously, our main goal is to learn Aikido," Sensei Romanzo said. "But we also promote self-improvement and self-awareness."

People who practice Aikido and take it seriously have physical training regimens focused around flexibility, endurance and controlled relaxation, rather than a rigorous weight training program. But UW-Whitewater's Aikido club, which usually hasanywhere from 10-15 members on a given night, is as "serious as you want to make it," Nelson said.

"We try to keep the attitude light and as the individual progresses, we get more serious," Nelson said. "Right now membership is very important, so we are just trying to keep people interested and involved."

Practices are held every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night from 8-10 p.m. on the second floor of the Williams Center in the wrestling gymnasium. To join, there is a small fee of $20 for the entire semester, which includes a free belt rank test. The belt rank test, normally $15, allows a person to try and move up to a higher level or rank, such as going from the highest level of a white belt to the lowest level of a black belt.

Nelson said UW-Whitewater's club is primarily a practicing club that focuses on the different techniques of Aikido. Other martial arts groups are sometimes invited to join, which helps members meet other people with the same interests as themselves. The club offers people a chance to meet new people, develop new friendships and push their bodies to the limit, both mentally and physically.

"Martial arts in general are a good skill because it teaches discipline and other life skills such as leadership," club member Aaron Patrick said. "It helps you exercise and it also challenges you mentally, which especially helps college students deal with schoolwork."

Right now, the club is looking forward to an upcoming seminar it's hosting on Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. in the wrestling gymnasium. There are usually only two seminars per year all across Wisconsin. Generally, 30-50 people come together and practice various forms of martial arts, including Aikido, at a seminar.

Seminars are considered great learning experiences for all involved because guest constructors come from the Aikido Headquarters in Chicago and teach participants new techniques.

"If you come and watch, you are going to see all these people doing awesome things with their bodies and you are going to want to participate," Nelson said.

Students who wish to join or who want to find out more information about the aikido club should contact Nelson, or Club Sports Director Missy Pritzl in room 100 of the Williams Center.