Seattle Aikikai

We (wife and I) have been training here for about a month, and so I thought it was the right time to post a review. I wanted to write a review both while the experience was a little new, but after I’d attended a reasonable number of classes. I’ll go into further detail, but in short, I can give my unreserved recommendation for this dojo, its lead instructor, and the students.
About me:
I’m returning to aikido training after a multi-​year hiatus. Prior to that, I have a little over a year’s worth of patchwork aikido experience acquired across two hemispheres. Further back, I have somewhat more experience with judo and danzan ryu jujitsu. My perspective isn’t that of an advanced practitioner, but more reflective of a rusty novice with some experience at a handful of dojos. Take what I say with a grain of salt.
Aikido:
Since some people are probably here looking more generally for a martial art rather than aikido specifically, this is my brief, novice perspective on what aikido is, and how it compares to other martial arts. To clarify, this is just background. My review is about the dojo, not aikido. Aikido, judo, and many jujitsu schools all come from Japan and share a fair amount in common. Traditional jujitsu («gentle practices») are gentle in the sense that many techniques were designed to be done with the hands rather than samurai swords. But, many of those techniques were still designed to mame or kill opponents. Both judo and aikido: 1. remove the killing and maming bits 2. incorporate something of an ethos around non-​violence. Aikido is defensive art. Strikes are performed only as an entry into helping your training partner perform a defensive technique – often a throw.
Compared to something like taekwondo or karate, you won’t see anyone doing roundhouse kicks to the head or breaking boards with their fists at aikido. Compared to judo, aikido techniques feel more subtle. Also, aikido isn’t a competitive sport, and doesn’t do ground fighting. Someone looking for quick self-​defense training or wanting to «kick ass» will probably find aikido slow and frustrating. What I like about aikido, is that it’s great exercise for both my body and mind, but also low-​testosterone /​not-​a-​deathsport. I can see myself still practicing when I’m 70.
Seattle Aikikai lead instructor:
Sensei Malory Graham is great. In aikido, instructors of her level (6^th dan) are considered master instructors or «shihan.» Demonstrations are clear. Techniques are level-​appropriate. Individualized pointers are well-​timed and insightful. Relative youth and advanced rank of the instructor is a refreshing rarity. As the lead instructor, Graham sets the tone for the dojo, which is focused and follows dojo etiquette similar to what I’ve observed elsewhere. But, it’s also not excessively formal or devoid of humor. People in this dojo smile and laugh, which is not to be underrated. Highest marks; couldn’t be happier.
Other students:
There are quite a few students who have been training at this dojo for many years, which bodes well for a dojo. That means the dojo has advanced students to lead some classes, and to train with on the mat. I’ve noticed that at the vast majority of the «basics» classes (particularly the evening ones), there have been quite a few of the more advanced students stick around. This is super useful, as their good modeling of the techniques makes learning much easier. The social atmosphere is good and has monthly «social waza» get-​togethers at the pub down the street. I haven’t been to a proper one of these yet (only to a mini impromptu social hour in honor of a visiting former student), but limited sampling suggests that these are all people I’d want to hang out and drink a beer or two with.
The dojo and misc:
The space itself is good sized, and can accommodate healthy class sizes. It’s neither the largest nor the smallest dojo I’ve been in, but it feels like a good size. The mats are modern sport tatami tiles, which make taking falls nice. The mats are a bit stickier than canvas, which makes sliding a little hard. Canvas looks cooler, and slides better, but this is far and away my favorite surface to fall on.
The dojo is nicely decorated, and, like most aikido dojos, fastidiously clean. Students clean up the dojo after every practice. Everyone does a little bit of work, which results in a sense of ownership over the dojo. Side effect is a clean dojo.
There’s lots more I could say, but I’ll stop rambling. Easiest thing to do is to come watch a class and see if it looks like fun.
tl;dr: Solid dojo, great instruction, nice people

I’ve trained at a number of aikido dojos across the country, in both ASU and USAF, and Seattle Aikikai is the best of all of them. Graham Sensei is a talented instructor, who offers a supportive, yet appropriately challenging (to your level) class approach, and works hard to develop a welcoming and inclusive aikido community. All of the instructors have a wealth of knowledge and experience. The beginners series are a great way to explore aikido in a safe environment and take your first steps in the art. It’s WAY more fun than the gym, and offers flexibility, strength, and conditioning.

I have been a student at Puget Sound Aikikai for many years, and I’ve also trained at other Seattle aikido schools. I like PSA and can recommend it for beginners and for advanced students. The community at the dojo is very welcoming, as noted by others, and the facility reflects the care and diligence of the students who train there. There are lots of classes and dues are quite reasonable. The school is affiliated with the US Aikido Federation and the international headquarters, Hombu Dojo, in Tokyo. One of the great things about aikido is that beginners and experienced students train together, and you don’t have to be the same skill level. An experienced aikido student can learn a lot from training with new students, and vice versa. Classes at the dojo can be very aerobic, while at the same time accommodating a wide range of physical abilities and encouraging everyone to train safely within their own limits. The instructors at the school care about teaching the fundamentals so that the beauty of the art develops in practitioners wholistically and is grounded in an in-​depth knowledge of what aikido is all about

I just moved to Seattle as well, and I likewise was looking for a new dojo. However, my experience was exactly the opposite of the previous poster’s.
Halfway through my first beginner’s class, the sensei decided to beat up on me. There really is no other way to describe it. He performed a series of techniques upon me in an unnecessarily brutal and painful fashion for no purpose other than to show off. He pinned me to the floor and challenged me to get up twice. He forced my hand into my nose during a sankyo technique hard enough to cause lasting bruising. I should also mention that he took me away from my partner in order to do this, so she had to wait while he did this.
The other students were perfectly reasonable, but I would not return to this dojo under any circumstances.

Having recently moved to Seattle — one of the first things I had to do was find a new Aikido School.
As I visited Seattle several times last spring and summer to lock in the new job, I also was visiting Seattle area Aikido Schools. After a pretty exensive search /​investigation, Puget Sound Aikikai was hands down the school I wanted to train at and be a part of. The owners /​chief instructors and kind, welcoming and giving teachers. The facility is not only beautiful but is also easy to get to :) The prices is more than fair and the school offers many classes each day of the week.
If you are experienced in Aikido or are looking to begin this beautiful art, I would highly recommend you stop by Puget Sound Aikikai to check it out.