Aikido Kokikai

clean spacious dojo, knowledgeable and helpful instruction. made me feel very comfortable.

I tried the free trial which was over 1 hr. The instructor and students were really nice, but at the end of the day I didn’t feel Aikido was the right martial art for me. I would definitely recommend coming here if you want to learn.

«Kokikai Aikido. Martial arts for the Civilized.» ~ Gary Snyder Sensei, founder of Aikido Kokikai NYC.
When Gary Sensei is not smoothly kicking a** in his dojo in Chelsea, he’s curating his gallery of mid-​twentieth-​century American art a few blocks over. Clearly, this is a man who understands the term «civilized.» You would be amazed by how beautiful, calm, and peaceful such a devastatingly powerful form of self defense can be. In a match-​up between Steven Seagal and Gary Sensei, who would win? My money’s on Gary Sensei.
No need to be intimidated though. I’ve only been practicing a little while and already have the knowledge of how to take down a 300lb meathead if he tried to grab me (useful knowledge for any girl living in NYC, especially one who often walks home late at night in Harlem). If a little Asian web geek like me who prefers taking the subway one stop over walking ten blocks can stick with it, I absolutely guarantee that anyone can.
See you on the mat. ;)

Great dojo. Great classes. Great people. Great Sensei.
Learn to kick butt the Aikido Kokikai way. See Steven S.‘s review and come in for a free introductory class!

Come practice Aikido with us at possibly the only space in the world that doubles as an art gallery by day and a martial arts dojo by night. Gary sensei is one of the most experienced instructors in our school of Aikido and is always welcoming to new students. I’ve practiced at a number of dojo in the US and Japan, and I’ve found Aikido Kokikai NYC to be one of the best, with a thoughtful, encouraging teacher and regularly-​scheduled classes in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere of friendly regulars.
Here’s the official information:
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that teaches coordination of mind and body to develop calmness in action and the strongest human condition. It is a highly effective system of self-​defense that does not depend on muscular strength. Aikido techniques can be effective without harming the attacker, making practice comfortable and ethical self-​defense an ideal.
Aikido was created in Japan in the early twentieth century by Morehei Ueshiba, who is regarded as one of the great martial artists of modern times. Ueshiba believed that martial arts techniques could be «vehicles for the cultivation of life, knowledge, virtue and good sense, not devices to throw and pin people». He believed that «the real way of the warrior is the art of peace, the power of love».
Aikido Kokikai was founded by Sensei Shuji Maruyama, an «uchideshi» (student who lived in the dojo) of Ueshiba. Maruyama was one of the first Aikido instructors sent from Japan to America, coming to Cleveland in 1966 and then Philadelphia. There are now over fifty Kokikai dojos (practice centers) throughout the world. Sensei Maruyama lives in Nagoya, Japan, and comes to the United States three times a year, inspiring his students with his teaching.
Aikido Kokikai of NYC was founded by Gary Snyder, a sixth degree black belt who has practiced martial arts for more than 30 years. Snyder was the instructor of the Princeton University Aikido Club from 1986 to 1991, and has been the chief instructor of Columbia University Aikido Club from 1992 through the present.
Classes are held Monday and Wednesday 7:00 to 8:30 PM, Thursday 7:30 to 9:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 to 1:30 PM. Prospective students are welcome to watch, or participate in a free introductory class.