I'm a newbie from Phoenix, Arizona!

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[Gary the Llama]

I'm a complete Aikido newbie, just into my second week of Aikido training and I love it. I was just wondering if anyone else on this board was from Phoenix too and if so, what dojo do you attend?

Thanks,

Gary

[akiy]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the AikiWeb Forums.

As to the question of which dojo, here's a form letter that I usually send when people ask me that question. I hope it helps.

-- Jun

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I can't give you a recommendation for any dojo in your area, but here are some suggestions to help you choose a dojo. Go visit all of the dojo in your area within a reasonable driving distance and observe a few classes at each of them. As aikido is not just something to be taken up and tossed away like some brief hobby, I think it's worth the time to do this -- especially if you're thinking about enrolling your child in a class, for instance. Never go by the "reputation" of a dojo alone.
Watch how the teacher interacts with his/her students. Watch how the students interact with their teacher. Watch how the students interact with each other. See if you feel comfortable with the way all of these interactions play out. It's often said that you can tell the quality of any kind of school by its students...
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask about the school's history and affiliation. Ask about the teacher's aikido history. Ask about the teacher's philosophy in doing aikido. See if any of their answers feels "different" than what you see being practiced and taught.
Do some research on aikido. Some good sites on the Internet include the Aikido FAQ <http://www.aikidofaq.com> and AikiWeb <http://www.aikiweb.com>.Basically, a good yardstick to use if to think if the dojo itself is some place you want to be practicing for the next five years, probably at least two to three times a week.

In any case, you may want to try using the AikiWeb Dojo Search Engine

to look for a dojo in your area: http://www.aikiweb.com/search

[Gary the Llama]

My apologies, I guess I didn't make myself very clear. I've already joined a dojo in Phoenix and I love it! I was just wondering if anyone from this forum was from Phoenix. :)

[Eric Joyce]

Hey Gary,

I am between Phoenix and Chicago. Yes aikido is pretty awesome stuff. When I finally get out there on a permanent basis, I will be training with a friend of mine in Glendale. He has just opened up a dojo that practices Yoshinkai Aikido. Check it out: http://www.seikeikan.com/heiseikan/

Have fun training Gary.

[Jessica]

Welcome to AikiWeb and Aikido in general, I train up in Prescott, AZ (about two hours north of Phoenix).

[Melissa Fischer]

Hi, Gary,

My folks live in Phx and when I visit I go to a great little dojo downtown that is part of some Japanese cultural center. It is an ASU dojo, I believe, and even though I train in an Aikikai style dojo here in Seattle, they welcomed me as family, the way O Sensei would have liked. Great bunch of people training hard and joyously, I look forward to seeing them this summer when I go to visit.

By the way, Tenzan Aikido dojo with Bruce Bookman is also a great place to visit if ever you get to Seattle.



Melissa

[Gary the Llama]

Melissa,

Thanks for the great info. I have visited the dojo you speak of at the Japanese cultural center and it is a great dojo. Very warm and friendly. Unfortunately, it's a pretty far drive from where I am so I do not attend that dojo. I attend one much closer to my house. I will be seeing an Aikido presentation at a Japanese festival this weekend and it is being presented by Aikido Arizona (the dojo you speak of) so I am very excited to see them again. If I visit Seattle I will definetely come visit the dojo you suggested (and oddly enough I do plan on visiting Seattle soon as that's my favorite city!) Thanks again for all the info... :)
Hi, Gary,

My folks live in Phx and when I visit I go to a great little dojo downtown that is part of some Japanese cultural center. It is an ASU dojo, I believe, and even though I train in an Aikikai style dojo here in Seattle, they welcomed me as family, the way O Sensei would have liked. Great bunch of people training hard and joyously, I look forward to seeing them this summer when I go to visit.

By the way, Tenzan Aikido dojo with Bruce Bookman is also a great place to visit if ever you get to Seattle.



Melissa