Westside Martial Arts

Anyone train at Westside Martial Arts in Jacksonville, FL? I'm thinking about taking classes there.

Never trained there, but I hear they are a pretty nice school. I had heard conflicting rumors about the cheif instructor leaving, though. I am pretty sure the school is still open though. It is the 3rd largest school in Jacksonville, and the only Yoshikan school there (to my knowledge at least).

Helpful?

Ryan Szesny wrote: Never trained there, but I hear they are a pretty nice school. I had heard conflicting rumors about the cheif instructor leaving, though. I am pretty sure the school is still open though. It is the 3rd largest school in Jacksonville, and the only Yoshikan school there (to my knowledge at least). Helpful?

Yes, thanks a ton! I've head those too, but I just wrote the dojo and he responded, so I'm guessing they aren't true.

Ryan Szesny wrote: Never trained there, but I hear they are a pretty nice school. I had heard conflicting rumors about the cheif instructor leaving, though. I am pretty sure the school is still open though. It is the 3rd largest school in Jacksonville, and the only Yoshikan school there (to my knowledge at least). Helpful?

Ryan lol
There are only three places in Jacksonville that teach Aikido. Saying they are third largest is a nice way of saying they are the tiniest school. That's mean Ryan!

Maggie Schill wrote: Ryan lol There are only three places in Jacksonville that teach Aikido. Saying they are third largest is a nice way of saying they are the tiniest school. That's mean Ryan!

tiny isn't always bad Maggie!

Don't know about the place in question, however, I do know about Aikido of Jacksonville: http://www.aikidoofjacksonville.com. They are a hard style though. My friend is the head instructor and originator of the dojo.

Actually, there are 5 that I know of. (In no particular order)

1.Aikido Center of Jacksonville
2.Aikido of Jacksonville
3.Westside Martial arts
4.a ki society dojo out in orange park (I'm sorry, but the name escapes me at the moment)
5.Attrell Holand's school (again, the name escapes me)

Westside martal arts is, from what I know of it, a mid sized school by number of students. It is unfortunate, because he is an acquaintance of mine who I am fond of, but true that Atrell's school is the smallest Aikido school in town.

Ryan Szesny wrote: Actually, there are 5 that I know of. (In no particular order) 1.Aikido Center of Jacksonville 2.Aikido of Jacksonville 3.Westside Martial arts 4.a ki society dojo out in orange park (I'm sorry, but the name escapes me at the moment) 5.Attrell Holand's school (again, the name escapes me) Westside martal arts is, from what I know of it, a mid sized school by number of students. It is unfortunate, because he is an acquaintance of mine who I am fond of, but true that Atrell's school is the smallest Aikido school in town.

No fair you were counting orange park lol
And Attrell isn't exclusively Aikido lol if you counted every school that had a course work in Aikido in some fashion you'd have to count Karate Americas too :P
Also how do you know how many student Atrell has? Last I saw he was doing okay.
And how do you know how big Aikido of Jacksonville is?

Hey there everyone. Autrelle here. I have been training in Aikido in Jackonsonville since 1992. During that time, I can tell you that I have done something that not too many others here in town has: I have trained with every instructor in the city. Not that in itself it's a big deal, but I can tell you from my own experience the skinny about the Aikido here.

Westside Martial Arts: To my knowledge Cooper Sensei's Yoshinkan dojo has been in operation teaching Aikido longer than any school here in Jacksonville. Real deal budo. Very kind people there.

Aikido Center of Jacksonville: Originally led by Curtis Rosiek who was a student of the late Doc Walker Sensei. Followed by Chris Rozett, then Mike Sands and now Dee Seabolt Sensei and Dojo-Cho (Hi Dee!!!). Classic USAF style. Dee has done a great job over the years running the dojos.

Aikido of Jacksonville: Perry Lambert Sensei is awesome. He likes to train hard, with an open mind. He learned directly from Suenaka Sensei. Me and Perry talk on a regular basis. I can't get enough of the guy, honestly.

Misasagi Kai: Leo Cajusay Sensei teaches classic Hombu style. Another really great guy. His school is in Orange Park.

Aikido Shugenkai: James Woodard Sensei teaches a VERY firm style of "ki" Aikdo. He's a monster to work out with. Super strong guy with a huge heart.

My school: We practice Aikido in a concrete bunker downtown. Nothing fancy to report here. Fiercely independent and friendly and respectful to all.

My advice would be to pay each school a visit. Everyone is friendly and each one has something unique to offer.

Cheers!

Maggie Schill wrote: No fair you were counting orange park lol And Attrell isn't exclusively Aikido lol if you counted every school that had a course work in Aikido in some fashion you'd have to count Karate Americas too :P Also how do you know how many student Atrell has? Last I saw he was doing okay. And how do you know how big Aikido of Jacksonville is?

Maggie, how are you? I don't understand what you mean about my school. No worries though - you know you and yours are always welcome to stop by - what's mine is yours.

Autrelle Holland wrote: Maggie, how are you? I don't understand what you mean about my school. No worries though - you know you and yours are always welcome to stop by - what's mine is yours.

Hey.
I didn't mean it with disrespect lol
I was just told by some mutual friends, you guys down at your dojo were doing some kali stuff and some Qing Cheng(I don't know if I spelled that right???) from time to time inclusion to your Aikido studies. Plus you have a woman's self defense course. That's what I meant by you teach more than Aikido...plus I just wanted to be argumentative with Ryan.

Maggie, no disrespect was implied or perceived by your post. You and yours have always been completely kind to me! Come on out one day and swing a stick with us!

Autrelle Holland wrote: Maggie, no disrespect was implied or perceived by your post. You and yours have always been completely kind to me! Come on out one day and swing a stick with us!

Hey man, what is the name of your dojo anyway? You have told me a few times before, but I always forget it.

Ryan Szesny wrote: Hey man, what is the name of your dojo anyway? You have told me a few times before, but I always forget it.

Not Mr. Holland but ...Autrelle Holland School of the Arts I believe is the name you seek.

http://vimeo.com/12432278
http://www.autrelle.com/

Robert M Watson Jr wrote: Not Mr. Holland but ...Autrelle Holland School of the Arts I believe is the name you seek. http://vimeo.com/12432278 http://www.autrelle.com/

Caught red handed.
How have you been???