Welcome to the Bay Area Center 281-337-5893

The Bay Area Center is a Club that has a dedicated fitness facility located in the town of Dickinson which is south of the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. Dickinson is approximately half way between Houston Texas and Galveston Texas and is about 5 miles west of Galveston Bay. Dickinson Bayou which is across the street from the Center connects with Galveston Bay.

The Center is dedicated to improving the mind/body/spirit alignment of its members through a variety of programs. It has long been the home of the Seishinkan Aikido Dojo (say-shin-kan), but recently our programs have been greaty expanded. Unlike most fitness facilities, our Club has no long term contracts. Members dues are strictly monthly.

Most people acknowledge a connection between mind and body. At some level, we all know the mind can affect the body. Picture in your mind someone who is depressed. Imagine yourself as an artist and make the image very detailed as to the overall body posture. You have probably pictured someone hunched over, shoulders rounded, with eyes downcast. Our language also reflects this posture, "feeling like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders".

The depression of the mind has caused the body to assume this posture. If you would be willing to experiment with your own body, stand up and assume this posture and pay attention to how your feelings change. You are probably feeling more depressed. Now straighten up and stand with your shoulders back, but not braced like the military might. Just stand straight and relaxed. Now, look at something so you have to look a little above horizontal. Now put a little smile on your face. If you have actual done this little exercise, and not just read about it, you will probably notice a change in the way you feel.

The mind affects the body. The body affects the mind. It's a two way street. NLP teaches that mind and body on one linked cybernetic system.

Let's apply this to something that seems to be only physical, like the martial art of Aikido. If you assume the posture of depression, a human cannot move effectively. To perform the motions required in Aikido you can not be in a posture that corresponds to depression. You have to be in a posture that is erect and balanced. This posture more closely corresponds to joy, not depression.

Now you know our secret. All our physical programs are designed to force you into body postures that will affect your mind in a positive way.

However, there is an old saying in Japan, "there are many paths up the mountain".

While the programs at the Center are very diverse, they all "climb the mountain" of mind/body/spirit alignment along different paths. Primarily physical paths up the mountain are available in our various fitness programs. These programs combine Western physical training with Feldenkrais principles and Eastern breathing techniques. More explictly Eastern path that are still very physical are available in our Aikido (from Japan) and Yoga (from India) programs. Less physical, more meditative paths, are available in our Tai Chi (from China) and our Iaido (from Japan) programs. Purely mental/spiritual paths are available in our NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Shamanism programs.

The building is one of the oldest buildings in Dickinson. It was built in the early 1900s in the construction style of the Galveston Strand with masonry walls over a foot thick that over the centuries have survived many hurricanes. The solidity of the structure brings a feeling of "sacred space" to its interior.

Visitors are first welcomed in a small entry foyer with a distinctly Asian favor. The hardwood oak floors and display cases with Japanese Calligraphy on the walls welcome visitors with a very different feeling than the usual health club or spa.

All the physical programs are taught in full matted "dojo". The floor is built in the style of a 1950's era gymnastics floor and provides tremendous shock absorption. The soft surface is extremely comfortable so all our programs that involve mat work can be done in comfort.

A classroom is available upstairs for lecture style classes such as NLP and Shamanism.