Jikishinkan Aikido Dojo

Specialties

Jikishinkan («Direct Mind») Dojo is a non profit organization devoted to the teaching and practice of Aikido, a powerful yet compassionate martial art and spiritual discipline where control is achieved through blending with, rather than confronting the energy of the attack. Particular emphasis is placed on the link between Buddhist teaching and Aikido, and the importance of the development of mindfulness through Zazen (meditation training). The core of our Aikido teaching is best represented by the following statement by the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O-​Sensei: «Opponents confront us continually but actually there is no opponent there».

Our practice includes both adult classes and a comprehensive youth program for ages 6 — 13.

History

Established in 1991.

Jikishinkan Aikido follows the Aikido tradition of Sensei Joseph Jarman, founder of Jikishinkan Dojo, and his teacher, Shihan Fumio Toyoda, late Chief Instructor and Founder of the Aikido Association of America. Founded by Sensei Jarman in 1991, Jikishinkan Dojo spent 18 years at 211 Smith Street in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn before outgrowing that space and moving to 316 Dean Street in nearby Boerum Hill.

Chief Instructor and Dojo-​cho Stewart Johnson Sensei began training in Aikido in 1992 and is ranked Yondan (fourth degree black belt).