Aïkido is a Japanese martial art that includes empty hand and weapon techniques. Students learn balance, movement, and how to combine the two for strong martial technique. Aïkido is a martial art, but can also be practiced solely for personal wellness, both physical and mental. Meïwakan Aïkido is a school of Aïkido, Kenjutsu, Jojutsu, Iaijutsu, and Kobujutsu. The curriculum takes a martial approach to learning and training Aïkido, rather than a 'sports-like' approach. Training includes open hand techniques against grabs, strikes, and chokes. Weapons training is integral to the practice and includes techniques for the bokken (sword), the jo (staff), and tanto (knife). Both empty hand and weapon aspects are treated equally, and both are constantly tested against resisting opponents.