Aikido at Nashville Aikikai

The instructors are not only experts at the art, they are also warm and friendly, and work hard to create an environment conducive to learning. I've been driving down to Nashville (a 3 hour round trip from where I live) several times per month for years now, just to get the chance to train with this wonderful group.

This is an excellent Aikido dojo. The instruction is top-notch, the members are welcoming, and the senior students are knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend!

The folks at Nashville Aikikai are wonderful, welcoming people. Students of all levels train comfortably there, the more experienced ones adjusting their level of practice to help newer students with the basics when they are working together. This is Aikido at its best with an emphasis on bringing situations to a harmonious resolution. Students in this school of Aikido learn how to experiment with making different adjustments to find where harmonious movement is possible rather than simply training in rote mechanical movement. Nashville Aikikai feel like one big family, and they are happy for new folks to join. If you have been curious about Aikido or martial arts but have felt too intimidated to try it out, I would encourage you to give the friendly atmosphere at this dojo a try.

The thing that first attracted me to this dojo was the accepting nature of the instructors and students. People are accepted for who they are and their training objectives are respected. The result is that one finds a great blend of students -- everything from people starting out on a new fitness path or exploring martial arts for the first time, to dedicated long term aikido students. It is a great space and the instruction in well grounded in the fundamental aikido regimen coming from O Sensei and the central dojo in Tokyo. I also like that it is a "club" in the sense that no one makes a profit off the dues...all money goes to the expenses of the dojo.

This dojo is such a lovely place to practice Aikido. Sensei Mary and Tom are such a joy to learn from, along with all the other great instructors at the dojo. Starting out as a beginnger about 10 months ago, I've made some good friends. Most of all, though, I've been able to create a foundation of Aikido basics that I will be able to build on for years to come.