Aikido in New York

Note: I posted this question to alt.martial-arts.aikido, but would appreciate the help of this board as well. Thanks in advance.

Hello. I'm currently investigating my aikido options in New York City
and would appreciate the group's advice & opinions. I studied Taekwon-do for about 15 years until 3 years ago (currently just out of shape).

Primarily I would like your opinions and knowledge of the affiliations and teaching styles of two dojo in NY (Aikido of Manhattan & NY Aikikai). Anything you don't want to share in public can be sent to
my email address directly. I live much closer to Aikido of Manhattan, so that would be preferable, but your opinions (and once I check out the dojo) will help.

Any other advice to a novice to aikido is also appreciated. I appreciate (superficially) the internal value, but I'm trying to gauge the age-old question of exercise value, etc. as well.

Again, thank you for your input.

As far as styles go, you can check out this link for some broad classifications

http://www.shugenkai.com/astyles.htm

Also an editorial in the Aikido Journal, covered this subject

http://www.aikidojournal.com/article...?ArticleID=858

Both may help you with the 'positioning' of the variuos stlyes available. Both of the schools you are looking at are Aikikai. But in most organizations the various teachers may vary within the style. Go visit both, get a feel for the teacher(s), and the students, and what you think suits you best.

In addition to the dojos you mentioned, I suggest you check out Shin Budo Kai.

I've been going there for about two years and it's an incredibly friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

located at 14street @ 8th Ave.

for info, go to shinbudokai.org

Hi, while I have never been to New York Aikikai, I have attended countless seminars with Yamada Shihan (8th dan), the Chief Instructor at New York Aikikai. I wholeheartedly recommend you go and check him and his dojo out!

Best,

Rachel

My general advice: Visit as many places a frequently as your time permits before joining. There are so many factors - style, teacher, other students, facilities, training times, etc. that I found that it takes a lot of leg work to find the right place (unless you just happen to lucky right off). Your patience will pay off.

If you have not already, think about Bond Street Dojo too. They seemed like a nice group when I was there.

http://www.bondstreet.org/

I visited Shin Budo Kai several times. It seemed like a great place to train too.

Personally I enjoy the Kokikai style, but I think you would have to go to Columbia University (which I have never been to) for that:

http://www.seventhstorm.com/aikido/

Good luck.

Brian