Hudson Valley Aikido offers martial arts instruction for men and women of all ages, emphasizing technical proficiency, practical self-defense, and personal growth in a supportive, disciplined environment. The dojo is led by Giles Copp Sensei, a Yondan (4th-degree black belt) certified through Zenshinkai Aikido Association. Aikido is a martial art which is quite unlike the “hard” striking arts such as karate and taekwondo. In Aikido, we work to eliminate conflict and control an attacker without inflicting injury. It is a deep and subtle practice which involves understanding yourself and the attacker’s balance and energy. Aikido can provide many things for each individual, ranging from physical to mental to spiritual. Often, Aikido training develops a new mental outlook, one that applies well to problem solving in one’s daily life.