I was going to go all mystical with a dojo name, but in the end decided on "direction - state - aikikai" = Western Maryland Aikikai. I wanted the name to reflect where we came from (easy at seminars when folks see our patch). I didn't take "Maryland Aikikai" as that seemed a bit presumptuous as my teacher's (Clyde Takeguchi) dojo is actually in Maryland (Silver Spring).
I think it works out fine as it doesn't tie us to just one city in case we have to move. I do get grief from my mates at Capital about the spread of the Western Maryland "Empire" and they have great fun cuing up the Star Wars music when I visit.
Cheers,
Jack
