Michel Bécart

Jacques — 2005-04-09T16:39:36Z

Born July 13, 1946 in Lille in north-eastern France, Michel Bécart began training in Japanese martial arts at the age of 12. He studied Judo Jujutsu with Sensei Philippe Jully. He discovered Aikido during a demonstration given by Mr. Delforge and Mr. Dunière. In 1964 he began studying Aikido with Master Noro at the Gare du Nord dojo and later at rue Constance. At the school of Master Noro he met Masters Tamura and Chiba. Michel Bécart assiduously followed these three experts, who had and still have an influence on his practice today. He was student, then student-instructor, and finally instructor of the Noro Institute. In 1972, he joined Master Tamura in his association, the Association Culturelle Française d'Aikido (ACFA) which later became the Union Nationale d'Aïkido (UNA), and yet later the Fédération Nationale d'Aïkido et de Budo (FFAB), whose technical leader he became.

Michel Bécart has also studied under the direction of other Aikido Masters. Among those are Masters Kobayashi, Yamada, Hikitsuchi and Arikawa. He also studied other martial arts such as Iaido, Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu.

Today, Michel Bécart teaches Aikido at ACNA in Paris, the school he created in 1980. Michel Bécart is particulary known for his teaching of Aiki Ken and Aiki jo.

Class schedule

Jacques — 2005-04-09T16:29:41Z

Minimum age: 10 years.

- You may attend 1 - 2 courses for free.

Day	Place	Hour	Level
Monday	Chaumont	7:15pm -8:30pm	All
		8:30pm -9:45pm	All
Tuesday	Chaumont	12:15pm -1:30pm**	All
	Bolivar	8:15pm -9:45pm	All
Wednesday	Chaumont	6:15pm -7:30pm*	All
		7:30pm -8:45pm	All
		8:45pm -10:00pm	All
Thursday	Bolivar	7:15pm -8:30pm	All
		8:30pm -9:45pm	All
Friday	Chaumont	12:15am -1:30pm**	All
		7:15pm -9:45pm	All
Saturday	Bolivar	9:30am -10:45am	All
		10:45am -12:00am	All

Gymnase Bolivar
69, Avenue Simon Bolivar
75019 Paris
Métros : Colonel Fabien, Belleville
Bus : 26 stop Atlas

Gymnase Chaumont
17, Rue de Chaumont
75019 Paris
Métro : Jaurès

* The class on Wednesday from 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm does not take place during school vacations.

** Check whether this class takes place (Tuesday and Friday 12:15 am - 1:30 pm)

Seminars

Jacques — 2005-04-09T16:25:35Z

During the whole year, you are welcome to participate in Aikido and weapons (Buki waza) seminars open for all, as well as teacher seminars taught by Michel Bécart.

- Monthly ACNA seminars for all levels

These courses, which are open for all, offer a follow-up in the teaching and a check of the level achieved. They let you study hand techniques (taijutsu) as well as weapon techniques (buki waza). This enables students, besides orienting them in their learning, to better understand the principles of Aikido, which is helpful for attaining the Dan grades. But what is most important to us is the spirit in which the courses are held. To practice Aikido merely for the techniques is not sufficient. Respect, courtesy, friendship as well as rightness must be present.

- Seminars for teachers and instructors

The seminars for teachers and instructors give a sense of direction, of personal development and a reference point.

- Other seminars in France and abroad for all levels

Aikido and its origins

Jacques — 2005-04-09T12:20:34Z

Aikido and its origins

Aikido has its origins in the martial arts practiced by the samurai of ancient Japan. Various schools of jujitsu, sword and lance form the basis of modern Aikido.

AI = Harmony

KI = Spirit

DO = Way

Present day Aikido marks a clear evolution from the more physical traditions of martial arts by concentrating on dissuading the adversary and neutralizing his aggressive intention rather than on fighting it.

This principle of "non-violence", the mental basis of Aikido, consists of creating "emptiness" in oneself so that one can better understand and get closer to all around oneself, whether it be calm or violent, peaceful or destructive, in a way that puts one in harmony with the universe.

The principles of this art were discovered and refined by Master Morihei Ueshiba, O Sensei.

- O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969) Founder of Aikido

Aikido is the art of finding unity with the spirit (energy) which animates everything.

Aikido is not an opposition of antagonistic, diametrically opposed forces but the perfect harmony of the two.

Because of these very principles (harmony-understanding-agreement), Aikido cannot be competitive, the only "adversary" being yourself.

- The development of Aikido

It was only after World War II that the teaching of Aikido spread throughout Japan. Before that, the study of Aikido was limited to the Japanese elite (military, high rank civil servants, nobles). Experts were trained. In response to the demand for expanding the teaching of Aikido, the Aikido World Headquarters (Tokyo) decided to send some of its experts to make the art known worldwide.

France was very honored by O Sensei and received the following Aikido Masters: 1953 Mochizuki, 1955 Tadashi Abe, 1959 Nakazano, 1963 Masamichi Noro, 1965 Nobuyoshi Tamura