Aikido in the Chicago western suburbs

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[Peter Cox]

Hello there. I live in the western suburbs of Chicago, and was wondering if anyone could offer advice on a good dojo to commence training at.

I have no prior experience with martial arts. My interest in Aikido stems from having seen some training sessions at the Midwest Aikido Center in Chicago (I used to live nearby, and was about to enroll there when I broke my ankle rather badly. While still recovering, I moved to the suburbs).

Additionally, I am curious as to how I might expect the training to impact my ankle. For the interested, I suffered a tri-malleolar fracture, and have several bolts through both the tibia and fibula, along with a plate along the fibula. At this point, I don't tend to notice the ankle - unless it receives a sharp lateral jolt. I would hope that this weakness would abate over the course of the training regimen.

Any advice/information would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Peter

[DarkShodan]

When I visited Chicago I went here......

Dojo Ryoshinkan Dojo (single)

Distance: 27 miles (Northwest of chicago, IL)
Address: 2019 N. Rand Road; Palatine, IL 60074 (Map)
Country: United States
Instructors: Glenn Iwaoka, 2nd dan
Phone: (847) 358-1530
Fax: (847) 358-1597
Schedule: M-F 6-9pm; Sa 11am-4pm; Su 8am-12pm
E-mail: aikidoamer@aol.com
Style: Aikikai
Affiliation: AAA


I really enjoyed my visit and they are really good to work with.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

[Charles Hill]

Hi Peter,

There is a nice dojo right near you in Glen Ellyn. It is the Glen Ellyn aikido club which meets at the College of Dupage. The instructor is Judy Leppert, 4th dan, a wonderful person. I started there many years ago, and visit when I can. It is part of the MAF and was strongly connected to the MAC before all the trouble happened. In either Naperville or Aurora, near the Fox Valley Mall, is the MATS dojo run by Maureen Browne and John Gussman, another pair of great people. Maureen is an instructor under Chiba Sensei and the Western region. Up in Arlington Heights, is a guy whose name I can`t remember, but whose dojo has come highly recommended.

If you join the Glen Ellyn dojo, I will probably see you this winter when I`ll make a trip back to the States.

Charles Hill

[Peter Cox]

Thanks for all the information. I'll probably check in at each of the local dojos and see if I can't sit in on a class.

Charles - to which trouble were you referring?

Cheers,
Peter

[Mel Barker]

Christopher Taw is the instructor in Arlington Heights. He's a very nice fellow with clear, clean technique. He came up through the MAC, but has a different affiliation now. Here's his website: http://www.aikidotraditions.com/

Mel

[Charles Hill]

Yes, Chris Taw. I have heard nothing but very good things about him. Thanks Mel.

Peter,

After Tohei Sensei died, there has been a lot of trouble that I really don`t know about first hand so I hesitate to post anything. I do know that the MAF is about a quarter the size it used to be. I heard, however, that this year`s summer camp with Seki Shihan from Honbu was good.

Charles Hill

[BC]

You won't go wrong if you visit the Glen Ellyn Aikido Club. They practice good aikido, and they are all a very good bunch of people. Plus, it's right down the street from Wheaton. Good luck!