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About Us
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DBT Aikido was founded as an affiliate organization of the Denver Buddhist Temple in 1995 by Shihan-dai, Ronald Abo, Rokudan (sixth-degree black belt ), and his wife Lisa Abo, Sandan (third-degree black belt). Their son Ryan Abo, Sandan now assists in teaching class. Sensei Ron Abo has practiced Aikido since 1978.
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DBT Aikido is a founding member of Tomiki Sports Aikido USA under the guidance of Shihan Seiji Tanaka, Hachidan (eight-degree black belt). Shihan Tanaka was a student of Kenji Tomiki at Waseda University and helped develop the Sports Style of Aikido. Shihan Tanaka resides in the Denver Area and is still actively teaching Aikido at Hyland Hills Aikido and Judo Dojo at 92nd and Lowell Boulevard in Westminster.
Our History
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba around 1925. Defined as a non-aggressive, self-defensive martial art, Aikido incorporates the principles of avoiding an attack from a distance, such as lunges, grabs, punches, and kicks, blending with the opponent's movements, redirecting the aggressive action, and then safely neutralizing the attack. Aikido has its origins in Ju-Jitsu, a weaponless fighting form that uses only the body to defeat an opponent. Aikido takes the joint locks, throws, and pins from Ju-Jitsu and places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement of the human body structure.
Around 1960, Professor Kenji Tomiki, a physical education instructor at Waseda University in Japan, and a high-ranking student of Ueshiba Sensei, began developing a curriculum for Aikido at the university level. Professor Tomiki was also a master of Judo, a martial art derived from Ju-Jitsu that had developed into a sport much like wrestling. Professor Tomiki wanted to combine the grace of Aikido with the competitive thrill of Judo by making Aikido a competitive sport.
Practitioners of Aikido find that it offers many avenues of self-improvement; whether it is self-defense, spiritual enlightenment, physical health, or peace of mind. O Sensei emphasized the moral and spiritual aspects of this art, placing great weight on the development of harmony and peace. "The Way of Being in Harmony with the Human Spirit" is one way that "Aikido" may be translated into English. This is still true of Aikido today, although different styles emphasize the more spiritual aspects to greater or lesser degrees. Although the idea of a martial discipline striving for peace and harmony may seem paradoxical, it is the most basic tenet of the Aikido.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Ronald (Ron) Abo
Rokku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt)
Ron Abo Sensei began practicing classical Aikikai Aikido in 1978. Achieving the rank of Sandan, Third Degree Black Belt, Abo Sensei switched to the sport style of Aikido, developed by Professor Kenji Tomiki. In 1992 he joined a class under the direction of Seiji Tanaka Sensei, a student of Tomiki Sensei at Waseda University. Abo Sensei met his wife, Lisa in this Tomiki Aikido Class and they were married in 1996. In 1995, Abo Sensei and his wife-to-be, Lisa, established a Tomiki Aikido Class at the Denver Buddhist Temple in Downtown Denver. Ron Abo Sensei currently holds the rank of Rokudan, Sixth Degree Black Belt. Ron is an architect and owner of The Abo Group
Lisa Abo
Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt)
Following a year of teaching English in Japan, Lisa Abo began the study of Aikido in 1989. After leaving for a year to obtain a Master's Degree in English, she returned to the practice of Aikido under Seiji Tanaka Sensei in 1992. She attended and competed in many national and international tournaments. She reached the rank of Shodan, First Degree Black Belt in 1994. After raising three children, she returned to the practice of Aikido and currently holds the rank of Sandan, Third Degree Black Belt. Lisa is the marketing manager at The Abo Group.
Ryan Abo
Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt)
Ryan Abo first came to Aikido class in his car seat. By the time he was able to walk, he was on the mat. He reached the rank of Shodan, First Degree Black Belt by the time he was fifteen years old by special permission because the minimum age is sixteen. He has competed in local, regional, national, and international Tomiki Aikido seminars and tournaments. He currently holds the rank of Sandan. Ryan is a commercial pilot.
