I have been taking Aikido under the instruction of Mike Pollak for 2 years. Mike holds the rank of “Sandan”. He has been teaching Aikido since 1981 and I consider him a good instructor. Teaching is focused towards beginners and basic techniques which take years to perfect. The art of Aikido was created so that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. Size and strength are irrelevant. Aikido techniques consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponents attack, and a throw or joint lock that terminates the technique. It is one of the hardest martial arts to learn. Aikido techniques cannot be understood through explanations; they must be experienced and explored. Your progress is 99% related to your sincere repetition of the techniques.