In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Aikido of Hilo will be offering women free aikido classes for the month of October. ADVERTISING In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Aikido of Hilo will be offering women free
In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Aikido of Hilo will be offering women free aikido classes for the month of October.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month grew out of a single day, the “Day of Unity” in October 1981 organized by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to connect groups that worked to end violence against women and children.
The first observance took place in October 1987, and two years later, Congress passed commemorative legislation designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Aikido is the martial art of peace and reconciliation. It teaches us that we should concentrate not on harming others, but on protecting them,” said Aikido of Hilo chief instructor Barbara Klein. “We learn that aggression breeds greater aggression and that kindness also will be returned by others.
“Rather than harming another and causing resentment, we are taught to neutralize physical and mental aggression and avoid injury to the attacker and ourselves,” Klein said.
Klein and her husband, Dr. Robert Klein, both have sixth-degree black belts and have been training in aikido for more than 40 years. They have been teaching the martial art in Hilo since 1980.
To sign up, call Barbara Klein at 935-2454.
