Patrick Cassidy is a 6th dan Aikikai Aikido instructor. He is a founder and a Dojo-Cho at Aikido Montreux in Switzerland.
Patrick spent 6 ½ years under the Saito Morihiro Shihan in Japan and been training in Aikido for over 30 years overall. His other teachers are Robert Nadeau Shihan, Peter Ralston and Richard Moon Sensei.
Patrick is committed to exploring not only the techniques of Aikido but also its internal principles and spiritual perspectives. He is inspired to look at Aikido beyond the level of self-defense and ask, “how does Aikido help us evolve?” This exploration is evident in the movement of Patrick’s aikido. This approach is referred to as Evolutionary Aikido.
Evolutionary Aikido is based on a philosophical perspective that integrates Patrick’s personal insight with Asian spiritual teachings and western evolutionary and integral thought. Patrick’s movement is an expression of what is essential in this approach, the exploration and embodiment of freedom.
His studies also have taken him to Asia spending over 4 years traveling through India, Nepal and Tibet where he dedicated himself to Yoga, contemplation and meditation. He’s also committed to the practice of Cha No Yu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony. For Patrick, awakening, development, and evolution are important themes of the work done at Aikido Montreux. Aikido Montreux has an uchi-deshi program, don’t miss your chance.
Patrick Cassidy Sensei now heads the Evolutionary Aikido Community, which is recognized by the Aikikai and has over 25 Dojos around the world. You can catch him in Montreux and during his seminars abroad. Next ones are here, and here.
Here’s an Aikido Montreux Facebook page to follow, an interesting YouTube channel to subscribe, a Twitter and a link to a site.