All training is tailored to each student's abilities. The instructors firmly believe that you get out of the training only as much as you are willing to put in.

• Aikido

Aikido is "the way of Ki in harmony". The perfect Aikido technique would allow the defender to eliminate all aggressive energy before an attack is even considered. Aikido training emphasizes proper breathing; centering of the physical, mental and spiritual energies; circular movements; and gentle body motion. Training also includes endurance and fighting elements as a means to attain a more balanced and calm perspective.

The technical components of Aikido involve diffusing, controlling and redirecting aggression. Partner drills are emphasized that teach defensive maneuvers against various attacks. The defender may be using Karate striking techniques and body dynamics and momentum to redirect and subdue the attacker. Individual and group katas are also taught. Weapons training with the bokuto (wooden practice sword) and jo (short staff) are used with advanced students as an extension of the body in Aiki motion.

New students learn basic body motions (Tai Sabaki) and safety techniques (Break Falls). These beginning drills are used in various combinations to allow the student to learn to relax and breathe from the body's center. Students quickly start working with partners on defensive motions. We teach several different series of techniques designed with varying levels of attacker aggression. Individual motion is taught very early in the training so that students may practice motion and breathing skills independently. Eventually, students will use faster and more aggressive encounters to learn to use their movements more naturally.

• Karate

Karate is often translated as the "Art of the Open Hand" which is interesting as many people view Karate as represented by the closed fist. Karate as taught at TBKD combines many practices of Aikido (also taught at TBKD but at a separate dojo), the "open hand", as well as the closed fist, kicks, and elements of arm and wrist locks, throws and sweeps. The combination of mind, body, and spirit (Shin Ki Tai) is trained as a single entity (Ito) to be the most efficient and effective means of controlling a confrontational situation.

We teach many "kata", flowing forms sometimes described as moving meditation. Most kata are performed by an individual, moving through proscribed positions with defined stances, attacks, and defenses. Other kata are performed with a second person providing a more direct and visible interaction between the "Uke" (attacker) and the "Tore" (defender).

Note that even though we form an entirely capable unit in each of our students, we do not train fighters per se. Sensei Hamada of DNBK summed it up very nicely when he said that we do not train professional fighters, we train professional opponents.

• Self Defense

Self Defense is not a taught as an ongoing discipline by TBKD. Basic principles and techniques are demonstrated and reviewed with students during short seminars intended solely as an introduction to self defense. Multi-week intensive programs are offered for more in-depth discussions and practice of techniques. All participants of the short seminars and intensive program are strongly encouraged to attend more in depth and on-going training either with TBKD or with another organization to refine and practice Self Defense principles and techniques.

Self defense training is designed to raise awareness and develop life saving skills. Self defense training focuses on awareness of surroundings, spotting potentially dangerous situations, and conflict avoidance.

In addition to basic awareness concepts, students are taught simple combative skills for emergency escape. Combative skills include strikes, grappling, throws, and disabling techniques. Our primary objective in combative techniques is to allow the victim to escape and seek help. We do not teach these skills to encourage direct confrontation with attackers. YOU WILL NOT LEARN TO FIGHT. You will learn how to not be a victim. Awareness and avoidance are always the safest option.

We offer two programs of self defense. The first is a two hour workshop. The workshop can be presented in any home, office, or gathering place. The workshop stresses awareness and teaches limited combative techniques. This short workshop is not intended to make student proficient in self defense. It is only to help raise students' awareness and encourage further training. The second self defense program is a four week intensive program that also stresses awareness and avoidance. However, the students will learn a great deal more combative techniques than can be offered in the short workshops.

• Other

Our focus is improvement of self through continuous training and sharing among our many students and teachers throughout our organization. To this end, we travel to other DNBK-affiliated dojos in North Carolina, Virginia, and around the world. While we have a very well defined base of instruction provided by Sensei Hamada of DNBK, each instructor will teach with a different style, and each group of students will have a slightly different set of capabilities and interests. By visiting affiliated dojos, we share changing emphasis on techniques, execution, kata, physical conditioning, and skills.

In addition to cross training opportunities between Aikido and Karate and Dojos outside the Triangle region, other styles such as Iaido, Kendo, Kobudo, Jiujutsu, and Heiho are available to members of TBKD through our affiliation with Honbu Bushin Kan Dojo in Virginia Beach, Virginia.