“The main reason I continue to train is because it brings me joy. The physical aspect is incredibly fun, and the joy I feel from that combines with the human connection in a beautiful way. I felt instantly welcomed in this dojo and it's so inspiring to be around such kind, positive people....
“I want to continue to train Aikido because it helps me to stay healthy, keep my blood pressure normal (My dad’s side has a history of hypertension) and loose weight.”
- Lauren Ko, 31
- Eyeglasses Consultant
- AKI Los Angeles
Lauren was curious about Aikido, but she...
“Aikido,” my teacher had said again and again, “is the art of reconciliation. Whoever has the mind to fight has broken his connection with the universe. If you try to dominate people, you are already defeated. We study how to resolve conflict, not how to start it.”
THE...
“During the pandemic, my classes have been attended by students from the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, France, the USA, United Kingdom, Mexico, Iran, Lebanon, and other countries. Many of them train in different Aikido styles and belong to different affiliations. I...
- Kai, 5
- Student
- Aikido Kenkyukai Los Angeles
Kai began Aikido when he was 4 years old at AKI Los Angeles. When we’re not permitted to have in-person classes, he attends Aikido classes on our Virtual Dojo via Zoom.
He says he was nervous and scared his first couple classes, but as he...
[Note: This interview was done a few years ago. As of 2022, Kevin still trains and even earned the opportunity to accompany Suzuki Sensei on a training trip to Japan when he was 17! The photo is from a visit to the giant Buddha in Kamakura, Japan.]
“I continue Aikido because it’s fun...
Aikido Dojo In Search of New Home
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aikido Kenkyukai International USA (“AKI USA”), a premiere nonprofit Aikido organization headquartered in Los Angeles, will be holding a fundraiser for their future dojo on Thursday, March 21 from 5-7pm at the Hollywood Japanese...
By: Diego Perrudin
Aikido has been one of the best learning experiences.
At first I was just looking for a sport to do because I had too much energy and my mom recommended martial arts. She looked up different martial arts and found that Aikido would be a great choice. We checked around us and we...
By Jessica Mendoza
“Aikido speaks to us both,” Andrew says. “For her it’s the spiritual side, for me it’s the physical side.”
Jordan Carlson first learned about aikido through acting. A theater major at the Miami University of Ohio, she recalls attending a...
“My aim is to concentrate for a while only on Aikido and find a deeper connection to it. I am sure that I will leave Suzuki Sensei’s future classes the same way I Ieft the last ones: sweating and smiling.”
- Name: Martin Weber
- Age: 28
- Position: Soto Deshi
- ...
Q: Why do you do Aikido
Jamie: “It’s good. I get sweaty. And I make new friends.”
- Jamie, 6
- Student
- AKI Los Angeles
Jamie, who began Aikido at age 5, has been training at Aikido Kenkyukai for a year and a half. She heard about Aikido through her...
“Being engulfed in Aikido with a master from Japan will be the stepping stone I know I will need in order to get to the higher version of my BEING.”
I made a conscious decision to join Lia Suzuki Sensei and her Aikido class in Santa Barbara, and the energy was amazing. At that...
