In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Aikido of Hilo is offering free classes for women in 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.
In October 1989, Congress passed commemorative legislation designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Aikido is the martial art of peace and reconciliation,” said Aikido of Hilo chief instructor Barbara Klein. “It teaches us that we should concentrate not on harming others, but on protecting them. 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 and her husband, Robert, have sixth-degree black belts and have trained in aikido more than 47 years. They have taught the martial art in Hilo since 1980.
The class schedule can be viewed at www.aikidoofhilo.org. To sign up, visit the dojo at 29 Shipman St., No. 106.
For more information, email AikidoOfHilo@gmail.com or call 935-2454.