Rehabilitating Cancer Through the Study of Aikido

What is CUT THE CANCER™?
Cut The Cancer is a rehabilitative program that takes the physical, spiritual and philosophical aspects of the Japanese Martial art Aikido and applies this to the patient’s personal growth. This exhilarating and innovative course is given to cancer patients and their care givers and is designed to help them in their rehabilitation from cancer. The program contains 3 essential components: core stretching and strengthening; a low impact, Aikido based study of the bokken (wooden sword), and Zen Meditation and breathing exercises.

Our training curriculum is formally called Aiki Gan Agatsu (“self victory over cancer through Aikido”) has been developed by The Aikido Resolutions Foundation and is fully approved by The Aikido Association of America. Students are given the opportunity to earn rank in this program through testing offered several times per year. This program is open to patients and non-patients.

What will the students learn?
Martial arts are generally comprised of a physical component and a philosophical/spiritual component. Aiki Gan Agatsu utilizes a physical study of the bokken (wooden sword) and a philosophical study of Aikido. This training will give the student the physical and mental skills necessary to utilize the tenets of budo (martial way) in their rehabilitation. This provides the strength and fortitude necessary to turn the difficult experience into a preventative way of life.

How does the program work?
The program is a study of Aikido principles designed to foster the coordination of physical and mental strength. This can be taught in a series of 4 hour workshops, an 8 week session format, or in an on-going class format. Each class will involve stretching/strengthening exercises, bokken (wooden sword) practice, and Zen meditation.

Why practice with the Bokken (wooden sword)?
Our training with the sword provides us with an opportunity to learn to cut through our fears, insecurities and issues with self confidence, giving us a different outlook on life. It has been said that… “The sword that takes life can be the sword that gives life. Through our training we cut ourselves and our fear, which is to say that we see ourselves for what we truly are. Then we can wield the great sword, our existence, our life, correctly”.
— Fumio Toyoda Shihan, founder Aikido Association of America

How is the program taught?
Our program is taught twice per week at our Arlington Heights dojo and monthly at several Gilda’s Clubs throughout the United States. This can be taught in a series of 4 hour workshops, an 8 week session format, or in an on-going regular class format. Each class will involve stretching/strengthening exercises, bokken (wooden sword) practice, and Zen meditation.

Who can take the classes?
Anybody that has been given approval by their doctor for physical exercise can enroll in this program. We also recommend that the care giver of the patient be involved as well.