By Mariah Beckman / For the Tacoma Daily Index

Step onto the mat at Tacoma Aikikai, and you might be surprised by what you find. This dojo, which specializes in aikido, offers a refreshingly different take on martial arts, where personal growth and a sense of community take center stage.

Aikido is a comparatively young form of martial arts, established by founder Morihei Ueshiba in the early 20th century. The style is so new, in fact, that Ueshiba himself taught some of the teachers these instructors studied under.

In English, the word “aikido” translates to “way of harmonizing energy.” It’s an apt way to describe the ebb and flow that defines this defense-focused practice.

“Aikido has the same root and is very similar to judo and standing jujitsu,” explains owner and instructor Ea Murphy. But this modern dojo is applying an atypical spirit of inclusivity to the ancient art by challenging the martial artist archetype.

“As with any tradition,” says Ea, “there are many biases, perspectives, and simply unquestioned ways of doing things that we don’t need to continue.” When she created Tacoma Aikai, she asked herself what it meant to be truly inclusive.

“How do we make a space that feels truly welcoming to people underrepresented in martial arts demographics? At the same time, how do we keep a rigorous and serious training environment? The two are not mutually exclusive.”

It’s in this spirit that, in 2016, Ea opened Tacoma Aikikai. Her students are drawn to the much-touted benefits of martial arts: fitness, self-defense, strength and self-control. But what so many discover is that, in addition to the accomplishment that comes with mastering throws and falls, they are becoming genuinely better people.

It’s a journey that Ea Murphy knows well. She was first drawn to martial arts as a 19 year-old in Oakland, California. She describes her experience with aikido as transformative. “It was definitely a life-changer, and probably a lifesaver — a way to work through the anger and personal difficulties I was experiencing at the time.”

She was so smitten with the sport that she turned her life over to it. She trained with several dojos in the U.S. before embarking on an intensive program of study in Japan. When she returned home, it was with a vision of establishing a community of practice that could offer the same opportunities she had experienced.

Ea felt that the vibrant Tacoma community was the perfect new home for her dojo — and it turns out she was right. Now in its eighth year, Tacoma Aikikai is deeply woven into the fabric of the community. “Tacoma has been amazing to us. When I talk to peers in other cities about how Tacoma small businesses help each other in big and small ways, I realize it’s a unique and special community that really prioritizes mutual support.”

Another way that Tacoma Aikikai is setting itself apart is by including social skills training into their practice to deepen a student’s defenses against conflict. “We spend a lot of time in self-defense training working on the verbal and emotional aspects of self-defense: debunking self-defense fear messaging to move towards empowerment, really digging into boundary setting, and tapping into voice, words, and body language to escalate or deescalate a situation.”

The dojo’s welcoming atmosphere stretches far beyond the South Sound neighborhood it serves. “The Aikido dojo offers a community of mutual support that is rare in this day and age,” Ea says. “We get very close with the time we spend on the mat, creating a network of relationships that ripples outward.”

Beyond the dojo community, she continues, aikido also opens up a global community. “Students can travel the world and be welcomed by practitioners across cultures and nations. It’s really marvelous to meet so many different types of people that you may never encounter in your everyday life.”

If you’re looking for more than just a workout, Tacoma Aikikai offers a chance to be part of something special. Whether you’re seeking self-defense, a path to personal development, or simply a place to belong, their commitment to growth and community makes this studio stand apart.

Learn more by visiting Tacoma Aikikai’s website [tacomaaikikai.com] or checking out their YouTube channel. Looking for a hands-on experience? Their 5th Open House on April 20th is the perfect opportunity to see the dojo in action. The event is family-friendly and interactive. Anyone who visits from 1 – 4 pm on April 20th will be entered into a raffle with a grand prize of one-month free membership.

Tacoma Aikikai is located at 2502 S. 12th St., Tacoma. To learn more, call 253-257-9177.

Courtesy photos Tacoma Aikikai is located at 2502 S. 12th St., Tacoma.