Victory Pacific Aikido

"If Ojai were a martial art it would be Aikido, (and in it’s quieter moments, T’ai Chi). This lovely and skillful class, enhanced by being held at the Ojai Arts Center, surrounded by local artwork, is a valuable contribution to health, balance, and calm safety for Ojai kids and adults. Aikido is a powerful martial art rooted in embodied realization by the super-tough Morihei Ueshiba, “O‘Sensei”, after a succession of enlightenment experiences in nature from which he revolutionized win-lose martial approaches to leverage the innate advantage of the way of peace. His realization that the underlying law of nature is harmony, and that thus, aggression is inherently at a disadvantage, is at the core of Aikido’s power. I’ve witnessed how the practice of Aikido grows capabilities — at all ages and body configurations — of balance, skillful navigation of conflict or threat, and humble confidence to see what is and engage difficult situations with calm, safe choices and actions. Sensei Thomas has deep skill and dedication to the principles and practice of Aikido. He clearly cares that students are able to discover the supple sensibility, skill and strengths in this gentle yet powerful practice. Classes are suitable to any level of fitness, as like yoga, one can bring as much or as little vigor to practice and still gain deep, rich, useful learning which will help keep folks centered and safe long after they leave the mats. Aikido is also fun. O’Sensei described the experience of practice as a feeling of “pleasant exhilaration.” For its harmony and circular moves with one-another, it has also been likened to dancing (only with tumbles). If nothing else, at minimum, come in and learn to tumble, (just reducing the chance of injury in the event of a fall is worth the awkward fun of trying out this beautiful physical martial art). Another note, Aikido originated in Japan. I appreciate Sensei Thomas’ fealty to the centering and honoring practices of dojo, such as bowing into the learning space, a bow to its origins, to teachers and to each other. Much is learned in these seemingly simple silent and indirect actions that transactional western arts don’t seem to touch. These respectful rituals engage dimensions of layered, relational and spatial awareness, while also centering, and enhancing mindfulness. Ojai is fortunate to have Sensei Thomas teaching Aikido here. Well worth supporting and doing."

"I have been with Thomas Sensei for many years. His personality is lively, but is also very dedicated to the art of aikido. I learned many things from his teachings and the people that also sought them. The most important part that I learned was how keep myself safe, and how to end a fight as peacefully and as efficiently as possible."

"Victory Pacific is an amazing place filled with positive energy and expert instruction. It is filled with a genuine love for all that is Aikido. We have been honored to have all four of our boys receive instruction from Sensei Thomas Jones who is an extraordinary teacher of Aikido. All of my children have found themselves using their Aikido in numerous ways throughout their lives, from knowing how to roll when falling from a horse or how to redirect negative aggression away from themselves during a basketball game. Sensei Thomas has been an integral part of their development and has taught them all so much about life through Aikido. We look forward to sharing many more years."