Santa Barbara Independent Lia Suzuki Aikido Master

Santa Barbaran Lia Suzuki has studied the martial art of aikido for 24 years. She trained under a renowned master while living in Japan from 1987 to 1996, excelled, and returned to the United States. Today, she is considered one of the most talented aikido practitioners in the nation.

Aikido-which translates into “the way of blending energy”-was first created last century in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba. A master of several martial arts, Ueshiba felt restricted by their limitations and began to experiment. Throughout the 1930s he developed an array of graceful moves and motions aimed at defeating opponents without causeing injury, which ultimately coalesced into aikido.

Suzuki is the founder of the United States branch of Aikido Knkyukai International (AKI), a worldwide organization devoted to the promotion of peace through aikido. A local chapter of AKI resides on lower State Street; there Suzuki teaches children and adults the moves, motions, and philosophy of aikido.

We don’t strive for that perfect punch or perfect kick,” she said. “Instead we focus on the opposite side of the equation-when to turn, when to move, the timing of the move in order to dissipate the conflict. Other martial arts claim to be self-defense-oriented, but a defensive move is still followed by an offensive attack.”

In the formal tradition of white and black belts. A black belt of 10 degrees is the highest level possible. Suzuki’s teacher, Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan of Japan, holds and 8th-degree black belt; Suzuki holds a 5th degree black belt.

Suzuki applies the philosophy and non-offensive energy of aikido to other activities, too. For example, she used to ride horses and says that if one tries to overpower such a huge animal, the animal will resist and win. “Managing a horse works by finesse, not brute strength.”

She’s also employed aikido in therapy for substance abuse victims. “I have this student who is a drug and alcohol rehab counselor,” said Suzuki. “He was amazed at how similar the principles used in aikido were to those used for rehab.” The student invited Suzuki to lead several workshops that offered patients a new perspective on how to reframe and dissolve life’s conflicts.

This year marks AKI’s 10 anniversary of American residency. To celebrate, Suzuki will accompany her adult students to Japan in May for 10 to 14 days of personal instruction with Suzuki’s teacher. In August, the children of the Santa Barbara chapter will host children from several AKI centers in Canada, Japan, and Australia for a week.

“We’ll eat together, train together, lodge together. It’ll be a real bonding experience.”