Aikido Mumonkan-DO of California

This is a special place.
I used to do martial arts when I was a kid, but it wasn’t until just a few months ago that I decided to take them up again. I decided upon aikido after watching a video on youtube of O-​Sensei, the founder of Aikido Uyeshiba Morihei, gracefully maneuvering around his opponents, taking on all comers and successfully defending himself against them (this when he was quite elderly). I love the defensive posture of aikido and thought this would be a great way to get back in shape. Since joining this dojo in January, I feel as if I have found something that i will stay with for the rest of my life. Aikido is as beautiful and difficult as I thought it would be. You could easily spend the rest of your life learning the many techniques that encompass this art, and it would take you that long just to begin scratching the surface.
What makes Aikido Mumonkan-​Do such an extraordinary dojo is its kind and generous teachers and students, all of whom have been extraordinarily patient with me as I learn the basics. Our sensei is both encouraging and demanding. She wants us to seek out the best in ourselves not only in the physical practice of aikido but in the spirit of the art, the mental component that is vital to the teachings of the founder. This is a traditional school, and there are NO shortcuts to becoming better. You follow the training and guidance of those who came before you. Brian, one of the sensei’s senior students, has been my teacher, and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to guide me through the rather complex moves that don’t come naturally to my middle-​aged body. He’s not only patient and kind but he demands the very best of himself in all that he does. I’m learning a lot here. The other students have been generous in their time and suggestions.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I really love this place and the people who are a part of it. I would recommend anyone looking to do a martial art to come here and start your practice. There is none of the ego or posturing that you might encounter in some schools. This place is all about dedication to the art and the spirit of aikido.

I studied Aikido here for almost 8 years between 1985 and 1993, training a couple of times a day or more. That was almost 20 years ago. Every day since then I have memories of training here. Did you ever watch the TV show called Kung Fu?
You can learn martial art techniques, learn how to fall without getting hurt, and how to look at yourself and the world around you differently. If you’re looking for a place to learn how to fight or compete in touraments, you’d be better off looking at Brazilian Ju Jitsu or some other martial art where the emphasis is on fighting. You can learn self-​defense here, but it’s a byproduct of the training not the primary focus. Instead you will focus on bettering youself.
At Mumonkando Aikido, you can count on having a unique and memorable experience. I have trained in dojos throughout California typically as a visitor and recommend Mumonkando Aikido in Irvine for kids and adults in the area.

My son used to go here. We had to stop because he has to study for the SATs. And I got tired of driving him and he hasn’t got his driving license to go to the adult classes. So this covers only the kids program.
The instructor Gary was very good with the kids. Aikido is the perfect martial art for most people to learn. Karate by its nature rewards the fast and the strong. It also takes longer to master. Judo is great for grappling but it’s not that useful until you get close and doesn’t take strikes into account. Let’s put it this way, if you are good at wrestling you’re going to be good at judo.
The Aikido moves are too complicated for teeny weeny kids to learn but are excellent for teens and girls since it’s based on movement and coordination rather than strength. Most of the self defense you learn in classes closely mirror Aikido. You will learn various useful holds, locks and throws. And kids will have the confidence to know that they have a means of self defense.
It’s reasonably priced for the kids classes too. I recommend this class.