"The secret of Aikido," O-Sensei wrote, "is to harmonize with the movement of the universe and bring ourselves into accord with the universe itself." O-Sensei maintained that budo is a work of love, a path to overcome discord in ourselves and bring peace to the world, "to make the heart of the universe one's own heart."

Paul Chang Sensei (USAF Ranked 6th dan Shidoin) heads Blue Springs Aikido in Blue Springs, Missouri. Paul has studied Aikido since 1969. His main teacher was the late Kanai Sensei, but he has also studied intensively under Chiba Sensei, Yamada Sensei, and the late Tohei Sensei. Paul has taught at major seminars, and his dojo invites high-ranking teachers every year.

Sensei Mitsunari Kanai was one of the last group of students of the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, entering the Hombu Dojo in 1958 as an uchi-deshi. He moved to the United States in 1966 as a 4th dan and subsequently founded the New England Aikikai, currently located off of Porter Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Kanai was instrumental in the early development of aikido in the United States and Canada, and taught seminars widely throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He was one of the founders and a Technical Director of both the USAF and the CAF.