Hello from Richmond, Va

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[Jake Warren]

Just wanted to say hi..

I joined the forum initially to get some more information on the art and to see if I could find a good place to get started. It seems hard to find out about a local dojo on the internet, but I figured I'd start here to see if I could at least get some ideas on what to look for.

I'll probably be browsing around the site gleaning some info here and there, but figured I should at least try to give an introduction.

[akiy]

Hi Jake,

Welcome to AikiWeb. I hope you find a good dojo near you. The dojo search engine (available via the link on the left-side of the page) may be of help...

-- Jun

[Voitokas]

Welcome!

[Shannon Frye]

You are in a very good place for aikido. I attended a seminar at the Aikido in Fredericksburg a while back. Aikido of Fredericksburg and Aikido of Richmond were represented at the seminar. I recommend checking out both!

[Garth Jones]

I would recommend that you visit AIkido in the Fan as well. Great people, nice dojo!

[Jake Warren]

Thanks for the welcome and the suggestions. :D

Aikido in the fan and Aikido Of Suenaka-Ha Richmond were two that I have been looking at closely. Fredericksburg is a bit too far to travel for me.

I have been looking more at Aikido Of Suenaka-Ha Richmond mostly because of how close it is to my house, but I don't want to just pick the closest one for convenience. The fan is a little farther, but I wouldn't mind it if I felt it was a better fit.

If anyone has any personal experience with either, I would LOVE to hear it.

Garth,

You sound as if you have some experience with Aikido in the Fan. Have you visited this dojo before? I notice you're in PA, so I'm curious as to how you know of them.

Thanks again!

[Garth Jones]

Jake,

I've been there several times for seminars with Mary Heiny Sensei (a very senior and gifted aikido teacher). Also, one of the instructors in my dojo started Aikido in the Fan many years ago with Steve Earle (head instructor at Aikido in the Fan). When Mary Heiny taught at my dojo this August a number of folks from Richmond drove up - so I do know them a bit.

You will find that the aikido world is small - there are not that many degrees of separation between folks.

Cheers,
Garth

[Voitokas]

:) Try them both!