Corporate aikido?

Does anyone know of any corporations that have aikido programs? I've heard of aikido teachers in Japan being sent to corporations but I can't recall specific company names. I've never heard of any blue chips in the UK or States having an aikido program, though I know some have done aiki based leadership work.

I ask because I'm looking for sponsorship for a charitable project involving aikido.

Thank for the help in advance,
Mark

You could try approaching various companies with a letter and an offer to do a demonstration. You may find some companies that even want to incorporate an aikido/conflict resolution program into their business facility. I received such an offer once, many years ago, but in my bravado asked for too much money upfront. Good luck.

Cheers Mark,

Good to meet you in person in last week btw.
Warmly,
the other Mark

I do not know of any corps in the U.S. with Aikido programs.
But I am having success with Taichi, which has me thinking about offering Aikido.

I have been told that Billy Blanks' Taebo was started as Executive Kickboxing.

I think it's a good idea to try the Aikido. Let us know how it goes.

If you're looking for corporate sponsorship of a charity though, you will likely have to be organized as a regular charitable organization before you even approach anyone. You may want to try working under the umbrella of another charity. That would be a cheap way for you to get started.

Aikido Shudokan Malaysia had provide few corporate tranings at different cities of Malaysia, it conducts mainly Ki prinicples of Yoshinkan Aikido.

FWIW, in Japan just about every large corporation and gorvernment service has corporate training of various martial arts. I have been to various first-rate dojos complete with wooden floors, mirrors, weapon storage and training geat, changerooms, and name registers, all many floors above ground level.

This is something that is very easily disseminated within Japan for Japan has a culture of clubs with the educational system not to mention the "o keiko goto" system. These clubs are mandatory. You have to belong to at least one club. They then took this same system and implemented it into the corporate world for everyone is already use to it. Corporate leagues are big business in Japan. They go after stellar athletes just so that they can win the corporate leagues. This is used as a recruiting tool. These factors don't exist in the US and I will assume other countries outside of Japan as well so trying to get a dojo started in a corporation ain't going to happen in my opinion. There is a guy here in the DC area that is a multi-millionaire and CEO of a big company yet he doesn't have a dojo in his company. Instead he has a private piece of land in which he built his own private dojo.

Would that be the Toman Dojo?

The Asahi News dojo was probably one of the first of these associated with Aikido...check Aikido Journal for some interesting factoids...

Best,
Ron

Correct Ron. The Toma. One of my instructors is a member of that dojo and I was asking some questions about it recently.

I believe Apple Computers had an Aikido program for many years. It may still be active.

Mark

Hi Mike,

I was there for Ellis's seminar. One of the most beautiful structures for training I've ever been priviledged to train in. Seemed like nice folks too. Good waza.

Best,
Ron

Compaq Computer Corporation, now Hewlett-Packard, had an aikido program at one of its Houston offfices. Their internal web page is still up. Additionally, Nokia both in Canada and in the Irving Texas area had a Yoshinkan Aikido program going. It was started by one our 3rd dan instructors. Not sure if either of those two schools are still running.