The Hidy Ochiai Foundation encompasses the philosophy and teachings of its founder, president and executive director, Hidy Ochiai, the basis of which is expressed in the dynamic relationship between the mind and the body. With training, the mind and the body become joined in such a way that the individual becomes the true master of the self.
Hidy Ochiai’s S.A.F.E program is fundamentally linked to the Hidy Ochiai Foundation’s Mission Statement, which is to promote the principles of non-violence, while helping individuals walk the path of self-development with dignity. The Foundation also seeks to promote cultural awareness through the arts, fostering understanding and appreciation among people. The Foundation’s focus is especially on helping children and young adults, learn and practice a positive and peaceful way of life – based on self-respect, respect for others, self-discipline, self-confidence and mental and physical health, so they become constructive citizens, living in harmony with others.
Based on the traditional martial arts techniques and philosophy which Hidy Ochiai has taught for years, the S.A.F.E. curriculum was developed in response to an ordinance which was written by the Binghamton City Council in March of 2004. The city council recognized there had been an increase in incidents of child abduction in the country and wished to prevent such tragedies in the City of Binghamton. The ordinance authorized the City to accept the donation of services from the Hidy Ochiai Foundation to provide a children’s self-defense/abduction avoidance program. Master Ochiai trained and certified twenty S.A.F.E. Instructors who currently teach S.A.F.E.’s anti-abduction and safety awareness techniques, based on the principles of non-violence, to hundreds of children for no fee.
