North Texas Aikido

Does anyone train there or personally know anyone there? Im currently doing Judo, and I love it...but I have a feeling its just too far for me to keep it up. I found that the North Texas Aikido dojo is about a half a mile down the road from me and when this session of Judo is done Im thinking about going to check it out. Pretty much just wanted to see if they are a "legit" club and If one may learn good skills training there. Sad that you have to ask that about any Martial Art clubs, but you kinda have to these days.....They say on the website they are Iwama, not too sure what that means other than they are close to the original way(from what I can gather). Going to the club and seeing first hand is always the final call, but wanted to see if anyone might have anything good, or bad to say about them..

Thanks in advance!

Check out their governing body maybe?
I don't know what "CAA" is though.

Address: 801 Main Street, Suite E; Allen, TX 75002 (Map)
Country: United States
Instructors: Russell Alvey, 4th dan
Phone: (972) 390-9600
E-mail: info@northtexasaikido.com
URL: http://www.NorthTexasAikido.com
Style: Iwama
Affiliation: CAA

CAA -- California Aikido Association

the teacher is a student of Pat Hendricks Sensei.

who in turn was a long time student of the late Saito Sensei

who in turn was a long time student of O-sensei, founder of Aikido


half mile down the road ain't bad.

Russ is a good guy. I met him in Dallas 14+ years ago. One of his students came by my school and said he is teaching full time.

CAA is a good solid organization with several high ranking instructors: Hendricks, Doran, Nadeau. Pat Hendricks is a long time student of Saito sensei (9th dan) and is well respected in the aikido world. One of my students visited his dojo and spoke highly of him.

I've met and trained with Alvey Sensei. He's good people and has solid technique. You're a lucky man to have his dojo so close to you.

Best regards,

Thanks alot guys for all the helpful replies...I will have to go check out a class one night and go from there. Yeah its really a pain to drive so far right now otherwise I would not change schools, I just know me and being that close would help alot in me not missing classes ever. Hearing this has good instructors makes me feel better as well. I will report back once I visit and decide to join or not. Thanks again!