The weapon training (Bukiwaza) of Aikido Montreux is based on the tradition of the weapon system taught by late Morihiro Saito Shihan, 9th Dan. Saito Shihan was directly taught by O'Sensei, founder of Aikido, in Iwama, Japan. The weapons system of Aikido incorporates a relationship between the sword (bokken), the staff (jo), and the movement of the body (taisabaki). This relationship then leads to a deeper relationship between the mind (shin), the spirit (ki), and the body (tai). Uniting our mind, energy, body, and the sword or staff, opens a doorway for a discovery of integration. This integrated relationship is known as Riai, the harmony of principles. It is this Riai which makes Aikido unique in its form and practice. It creates a direct connection between the open handed movements (taijitsu), movement of the weapon (bukiwaza), and the our mind and spirit. It is an underlying relationship of principles that set the stage for true Aikido to occur, Takemusu Aiki (the spontaneous creation of the movements of Aiki).

The form of the weapons practice includes, solo practice (suburi and kata), one step partner excercises (awase), and defined combat sequences (kumijo and kumitachi). There includes also an area of training known as weapon taking (bukidori), where an unarmed student learns to face an attack from someone armed with a sword (tachidori), staff (jo dori), or a knife (tanto dori).

All students at Aikido Montreux are invited to participate in the weapon training (bukiwaza classes). It is our perspective that each student needs to develop in all aspects of the practice of Aikido (weapons, open hand, spontaneity) from the beginning in order to have a complete understanding of the Art.