Mark,
Using the AikiWeb Dojo search, here's what I found within 25 miles of Manassas. Given commute times around the metro area, your friend's choice may be determined in large part by where he works.
Search Terms:
Country: United States; City: Manassas; State: VA; Include_images: y; Radius: 25 miles
7 matches found
Dojo Eastern Internal Arts Institute (single)
Distance: 11 miles (Northeast of Manassas, VA)
Address: 11215-D Lee Hwy; Fairfax, VA 22030
Country: United States
Instructors: Gene Lamb, 3rd dan
Phone: (703) 352-5970
E-mail:
eiai@EasternInternalArts.com
URL:
http://www.easterninternalarts.com
Admin: [?] Last Updated: July 20th, 2000
Dojo Woodbridge Aikido (single)
Distance: 14 miles (East of Manassas, VA)
Address: 14300 Featherstone Rd (Veterans Park); Woodbridge, VA 22193
Country: United States
Instructors: Asim Hanif
Phone: (571) 214-4263
Schedule: TuTh 7-8:30pm; Sa 10-11:30am
E-mail:
info@woodbridgeaikido.org
URL:
http://www.woodbridgeaikido.org
Style: Aikikai
Affiliation: WAAI
Admin: [?] Last Updated: March 2nd, 2005
Dojo Shin Ryu Dojo (single)
Distance: 16 miles (North of Manassas, VA)
Address: One Spirit Martial Arts, 295 Sunset Park Dr; Herndon, VA 20171
Country: United States
Instructors: Stephen Gayer, 5th dan; Felipe Morales, 3rd dan; Jim Wright, 2nd
Phone: (703) 471-4958
Schedule: MW 7:30-9pm; Sa 8-10am
E-mail:
nbc@aikisoft.com
URL:
http://www.aikisoft.com/Aikido/index.html
Style: Shin Ryu
Affiliation: Kannagara Jinja
Admin: [?] Last Updated: June 17th, 2005
Dojo Virginia Ki Society (single)
Distance: 16 miles (Northeast of Manassas, VA)
Address: 2929E Eskridge Road; Merrifield, VA 22116
Country: United States
Instructors: Steve Kendall, 3rd dan; Gregory Ford-Kohne, 2nd dan; Steve Wolf,
Phone: (703) 573-8843
Schedule: Su-F 7pm; Su 11am; MTuTh 6pm (children); Sa 4pm (children)
E-mail:
dojoinfo@vakisociety.org
URL:
http://www.vakisociety.org
Style: Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido
Affiliation: Ki Society International
Admin: [?] Last Updated: March 3rd, 2002
Dojo Northern Virginia Aikikai (single)
Distance: 23 miles (East of Manassas, VA)
Address: 3501 S. Second Street; Arlington, VA 22204
Country: United States
Instructors: Gordon Sakamoto, 5th dan
Phone: (703)-228-5920
Schedule: Tu-Th 8-10pm
URL:
http://www.aikidoka.com
Affiliation: USAF East
Admin: [?] Last Updated: July 19th, 1999
Dojo Aikido of Arlington (single)
Distance: 23 miles (East of Manassas, VA)
Address: 1305 North Jackson Street; Arlington, VA
Country: United States
Instructors: Yvonne Thelwell, 3rd dan; Scott Burke, 1st dan, Paul McMahon 1st
Phone: (202) 488-0680
Schedule: TuTh 6:30-8:30pm; F 6:30-8pm; Sa 10am-12pm; Su
E-mail:
info@aikidoofarlington.com
URL:
http://www.aikidoofarlington.com
Style: Iwama
Affiliation: CAA
Admin: [?] Last Updated: July 15th, 2002
Dojo Aikido of Northern Virginia (single)
Distance: 23 miles (East of Manassas, VA)
Address: 4201 Fairfax Drive; Arlington, VA 22203
Country: United States
Contact: 4201 Wilson Blvd #110-263, Arlington, VA 22203
Instructors: Jim Sorrentino, 4th dan
Phone: (703) 599-4460
Schedule: MW 6:30-7:30pm, 7:45-8:45pm; TuThF 6:30-8pm; Sa 10am
E-mail:
Jim_Sorrentino@hotmail.com
URL:
http://www.aikido-nova.org
Affiliation: ASU
Admin: [?] Last Updated: April 5th, 2004
As for your other question, our dojo's official summaryof the art follows:
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, who is often referred to by his title, 'O-Sensei' ('Great Teacher'). On a purely physical level, aikido technique involves throws and joint controls that are derived from traditional sword and spear arts. Aikido focuses not on striking opponents, but rather on using the force of an attack to redirect the attacker's movement or position relative to the defender. Aikido practice is not static, but instead places great emphasis on position and the dynamics of movement.
Aikido may be translated as the the way of harmony of spirit. O-Sensei emphasized that the study of aikido was a moral and spiritual discipline as well as a physical one, and he placed great weight on the development of a noble and peaceful character. While aikido (like any other martial art) offers the practitioner the immediate opportunity to study self-defense technique and improve his or her physical health, in the long term aikido offers spiritual discipline and peace of mind. Although the idea of a martial discipline striving for peace and harmony may seem paradoxical, it is the most basic tenet of the art.