New to Aikido

Hello, I am totally new to Aikido (although I do have few years of some previous martial arts experience in different styles)

I am considering two(below) schools. However as many of you know it is very hard to choose, even if I go (which I am planning on..) to visit them, I may still have trouble choosing. Therefore I am taking the opportunity of this forums to ask the following question:

Can anyone here tell me anything about those two dojos? Perhaps there are some members here who either know those schools or are themselves students there:

1. Aikido Association of America:
http://www.aaa-aikido.com/


2. Shinjinkai:
http://www.shinjinkai.org/

Looks like the chief instructor at the 2nd dojo studied with Toyoda, the founder of AAA. May not be much difference Aikido wise. Go check out the atmosphere at both. AAA is an organization based out of Chicago, so you may have more options if you ever move but stay in the area.

Since your in the Chicago area, you may also want to consider:

http://www.aikidomac.org/

The Dojo is part of the USAF

http://www.usaikifed.com/

By all means, check out the Chicago Aikikai on Lincoln Avenue. Kevin Choate, a 6th Dan, is a senior student of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan.

Chicago is fortunate to have AAA, ASU and USAF schools. It is an opportunity for potential students to check out each of the major organizations, and make their decision based on which has the right "feel". Don't be in too big a hurry. When the right answer comes, you'll know it.

This might help you, these are Japan Aikido Association/USA schools....

American Aikido Society
Sensei Keith Benedix, 5th Dan
Chicago, IL
keithbenedix@hotmail.com


New City YMCA Aikido
Chicago, IL
Sensei Stan Nevin, 5th Dan
new_city_aikido@yahoo.com

I recommend you check out the Midwest Aikido Center. But then again, I'm biased.

I've been training at the AAA Tenshinkan dojo for a little over the year now. It's the head dojo of the association, formerly run by Fumio Toyoda shihan until his unexpected death 5 years ago. It is now run by his son, Stephen Toyoda and many of his father's students still teach there.

I haven't seen any of the other Chicago aikido dojos, so I can't compare it to those, but I think we have a great group of students and I have only good things to say about all the yudansha who teach regularly there (I believe there are 8, all former students of Fumio Toyoda).

Stop by any time to talk to Stephen and to watch or try a class. The schedule is great at Tenshinkan with 3 hour-long classes Tues-Fri night, plus 2 on Monday night and 2 on Saturday afternoon.

Regarding Shinjinkai, that is a splinter dojo that is run by one of Fumio Toyoda's primary students who left or was asked to leave a number of years ago. I've heard he focuses more on the zen/spiritual aspects.

And don't forget Sato Sensei at http://www.kikumatsudojo.com the headquarters of the Aikido World Alliance, another off-shoot of the AAA.

JIm Baker

If you are interested in budo other than just aikido, take a close look at the offererings of Kuroda Sensei at one of your links above. Kuroda Sensei is regarded as one amazing martial artist. Since this is a study group, be sure to find out how much actual contact they have with him though.

Best,
Ron

Jim Baker wrote: And don't forget Sato Sensei at http://www.kikumatsudojo.com the headquarters of the Aikido World Alliance, another off-shoot of the AAA. JIm Baker

I trained with Sato Sensei in a seminar recently. He has good, clean aikido and is a very nice man. We had a good time.
Best wishes,

Sebastian Brukalo wrote: I am considering two(below) schools. However as many of you know it is very hard to choose, even if I go (which I am planning on..) to visit them, I may still have trouble choosing. Therefore I am taking the opportunity of this forums to ask the following question: Can anyone here tell me anything about those two dojos? Perhaps there are some members here who either know those schools or are themselves students there:

My experience leads me to believe that more important than anything is the instructor.

I have found that there is little point in worrying too much about which style you choose. If you visit other dojo within the organization, you'll find that there's a world of difference between the same technique.

If I were the one asking the question, I'd like the response to be "Look for the one instructor who's technique is what you want and is a person you'd like to be like."

I'd say, find out about the instructor.