Chuck is posting on Emily's account ...
Quote:
Originally posted by Robert Judson
I'm trying to find the best Aikido dojo possible. Anyway, where I live, in the United States, there are many good choices, and I wanted to know if the dojo affiliations are important? If so, which is the best? Some of my possible choices:
|
Depends. What do YOU want/need from your training?
Visit the dojo you have nearby, watch several classes, talk to the teacher, talk to the students, find a place where you can offer something back (and that ain't just dues) as well as take something from.
Wanna fly? Wanna study the esoteric side? Want something fun to do on a Saturday night? Looking for love in all the wrong dojo (don't laugh, I know of folks who train because they get to meet MOTOS -- or MOTSS as the case may be)?
Find a place you'll actually show up for class more than 2 or 3 times.
Do your research (this is a good start!).
Ki Society, Seidokan and Kokikai are often classified as 'soft' aikido, but I'll tell you (I"m a jujutsu guy, too) one of the aikidoka I have most respect for was the late George Simcox, head of the Virginia Ki Society before he passed. That man could throw me any time I grabbed him and any way I attacked.
Yoshinkan/Yoshokai are often classified as highly technical and rigid, but a Yosh godan friend of mine in Toronto (Philip Akin) can be incredibly soft and smooth and fluid.
USAF is a BROAD category that emcompasses Western, Eastern and Midwestern regions. Three diffeent branches with very different approaches. All Aikikai.
ASU is Saotome's organization (also Aikikai, by the way) and is also pretty broad in approach. One of my very favorite American aikido teachers is Dennis Hooker of SHindai Aikikai in Fla. That ole wardog is a wonderful man, a great teacher and a generally nice guy.
All the aikido organizations you named have their strong points and their shortcomings. Find something you'll enjoy, something you can relate to, something you will contribute to.
And then, there's the GOOD stuff -- KORYU!!!
Let us know how your search goes.
Chuck