JIAI AIKIDO
Celebrating 21 years!
Welcome to Jiai Aikido, offering martial arts classes in San Diego. We teach traditional and applied aikido classes emphasizing natural movement, body mechanics, and cross-disciplinary training. We are a welcoming community and the proud home of the International Aikido Bridge Seminars.
First class is free
Let us know you're coming so that we can better welcome you! You can reach us with this form. See you on the mat!
ABOUT AIKIDO
Aikido is a powerful defensive Japanese martial art of joint locks, throws, and pins, emphasizing blending with your opponent's energy, and non-violent conflict resolution. It was developed by Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei) in the early to mid 1900's in Japan. Although aikido movements are soft, rational, and smooth in nature, by applying a bit of force these can become devastatingly effective. The philosophy and gentle quality of aikido make it appealing to adults and children regardless of size, while its power makes it an effective martial art. It unifies the mind, body, and spirit, and exemplifies non-violent connections with others and harmonious resolutions to conflicts.
CLASSES
Classes are open to all levels - beginners to advanced. Our classes are tailored to the students, covering everything from fundamental technique, principles, terminology, and etiquette to weapons training, multiple attackers and all other aspect of advanced aikido. We train both at the highest levels of dynamic aikido and ukemi, as well as "applied aikido" classes for more self-defense based training.
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Tuesday
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12:00pm -1:00pm (by rsvp): Cat Strada Sensei
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6:00pm - 7:30pm: Tom Liu Sensei or Cat Strada Sensei
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Wednesday
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12:00 -1:00pm (by rsvp): Cat Strada Sensei
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Thursday
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12:00pm -1:00pm (by rsvp): Cat Strada Sensei
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6:00pm - 7:30pm: Tom Liu Sensei
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​Sunday
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10:30am - 12:00pm: Cat Strada Sensei (LGBTQ & Allies class - all are welcome)
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For RSVP classes, please let us know by 5:00pm the night before.​​​​​​​​
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We also offer classes in Systema and Aikido-Systema hybrid classes through our sister program San Diego Systema, led by Cat Strada. Both Jiai Aikido and San Diego Systema are housed within San Diego Martial Arts Community Center.
DOJO HISTORY
Jiai Aikido was founded in 2003, and is affiliated with Aikido Shimbokukai which is an Officially Recognized Organization by the Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) and the Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo, Japan.
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After encouragement from Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Jiai Aikido was founded by one of his long time students, Jeff Sodeman Sensei, in 2003. Sodeman Sensei, in 2011, passed the dojo to Cat Strada Sensei, 4 Dan, who is now Dojo Cho and Co-Chief Instructor. Joining Strada Sensei on the instructor team is Tom Liu Sensei, 4 Dan.
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Over the years, many senior students and guest instructors have contributed to instruction, offering exposure to different perspectives. This is continued presently, and students are encouraged to experiment and evolve their training, and to find 'their own aikido' within the principles set by the Founder, Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei.
Our instructors share the same vision and goal for the dojo - to cultivate each student's unique and highest potential of physical and internal self, within the principles taught by O-Sensei. We do not teach our students a certain 'style' they must conform to, or prohibit their ability to be exposed to other arts or schools. We teach the value of freedom in self-exploration, the difference between technique and principles, and how technique and movements can vary some, while principles are universal.
We achieve this advanced level of personalized aikido integration, by training in dynamic and cooperative partner fashion until one is ready for more resistance or stressors.
Our dojo is non-discriminatory, friendly to cross-training, and woman- and LGBTQ+-owned. We offer San Diego's only aikido-systema hybrid classes as well as San Diego's only LGBTQ+ & Allies sessions. ​
LOCATION
We're located just off Morena Blvd near downtown San Diego, Hillcrest, North Park, Mission Valley, Linda Vista, and Pacific Beach. Park in our free parking lot, or we're just a 7 minute walk from the Tecolote Road Blue Line Trolley Station.
Address
980 Buenos Ave #1c
San Diego, CA 92110