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Specialties
The first dojo in the Midwest dedicated to Aikido, Chicago Aikikai offers a warm community and a tranquil environment for the study of the traditional Japanese «martial art of peace.»
Please join us for a free introduction to Aikido Wednesday evenings at 6pm.
History
Established in 1961.
Founded as the Illinois Aikido Club in 1961, Chicago Aikikai started out as a leisurely pursuit for a small group of Japanese-American professionals. Inspired by a book about Aikido, the founders and original students were interested in Aikido for its mental discipline, motivated to learn how to keep calm, harness ki, and follow the principle of nonresistance.
In 1976, Saotome Sensei assigned one of his students from Japan, Shigeru Suzuki Sensei, to teach at Chicago Aikikai. After five years of highly regarded instruction, Suzuki Sensei returned to Japan in 1981, leaving his student, Kevin Choate, to become chief instructor under the direction of Saotome Sensei.
The ever-evolving Chicago Aikikai continues to build upon a history that is deeply rooted in this city. From its humble beginnings, the school has grown over the years not only in its physical size and number of students but in its commitment to providing the highest quality in Aikido instruction.
Meet the Manager
Kevin C.
Manager
Kevin Choate Sensei has more than thirty years of Aikido experience. He began training in 1976 with Shigeru Suzuki Sensei and learned the fundamentals of vigorous training. He became chief instructor at Chicago Aikikai in 1981 and has earned a reputation for high-quality instruction, always demanding the best from his students as well as himself. Choate Sensei has trained thousands of Aikido students in the Chicago area, including classes for senior citizens, youth, actors, and dancers.
In 1998, Mitsugi Saotome Shihan awarded Choate Sensei his 6th degree black belt as recognition of his skill and dedication to Aikido. Today, Choate Sensei continues to train as a student of Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan. Choate Sensei teaches as a senior instructor for Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and travels frequently to conduct Aikido seminars across the country and overseas.
Choate Sensei is also a Certified Instructor in Training of the Russian Martial Art Systema.
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