The Kenosha Aikikai is a United States Aikido Federation (USAF) dojo, in the Kenosha and Racine county area, where the Aikikai style of the traditional martial art of Aikido is practiced. We offer three adult classes each week. Classes start at the beginning of each month.

Visitors are always welcome to observe or participate in any of the classes we offer.

If you are looking to begin training in the martial arts in Northeast Illinois or Southeast Wisconsin, visit us to learn more about Aikido.

Ask us about our Free Introductory Class for new students. If you have further questions, please contact us by e-mail.

Meet a Dojo Member: Paul Gideon

When and how did you start Aikido?:
My Aikido journey began when I was in high school. An acquaintance of my father, who was a shodan in Tomiki Aikido, began teaching a group of “at-risk” teenage boys. This acquaintance asked my father if I would like to study as well, since I was of the same age as most of the other boys. As I recall, I spent almost two years studying under that sensei -instructor- and learned many Aikido basics that I still call upon today.
A few years later, during my junior year at De Paul University in Chicago, I noticed a flyer advertising the De Paul University Aikido club. I dragged a friend of mine along, and we joined at one of the first practice sessions. I studied Aikido there for another two years. This club studied a style of Aikido that was very similar to the style we study at Kenosha Aikikai. I was even fortunate enough to test for two kyu ranks while working with this dojo.
Then, about two years ago, I saw Steve Miller sensei’s “Introduction to Aikido” class listed in the UW-Parkside adult education flyer. At the time, my older daughter was studying Tae Kwon Do. As it happened, both dojo classes met on the same days at nearly the same times, and since my daughter was already established in her dojo, I was not about to make her quit. The day came, however, that she told me that she was no longer interested in practicing Tae Kwon Do - the pressure of testing made her too nervous to continue. I knew that this was my opportunity to rejoin a dojo and study Aikido again after so many years off the mat.
Now, at age 50, I have been back on the mat for a bit over a year. I can feel my body learning how to play Aikido again. Falling, or being thrown, is easier for me now. It also seems easier for me to learn the techniques. I am starting to recognize movements that are common to a variety of techniques. So when sensei demonstrates a new technique, it is not quite so difficult to learn the basic steps and movements.

What made you stay?:
Kenosha Aikikai is a very special place. The instructors are highly qualified, very knowledgeable, and take a personal interest in each student who steps on the mat. They work with each student at his or her level of ability and help each one to improve. I also like this dojo because of the students it attracts. Everyone here is dedicated not only to their own improvement, but to the improvement of their practice partners as well. I never get the sense that anyone is here to show off, or to boost their own ego at the expense of others. The men and women who study here are friendly, too. We laugh and joke together off the mat, but we still take our training seriously.

What do you like about Aikido?:
I truly enjoy practicing Aikido. When my daughter was studying Tae Kwon Do, I tried to learn the kata along with her - both to help her learn, and perhaps, to learn a bit myself. What I found was that the punching and kicking of a striking art was just not for me. I find the circular movements, as well as the throwing and pinning techniques of Aikido far more compatible with how my body seems to naturally move. I also find the purely defensive nature of Aikido extremely fitting with who I am as a person.
In Aikido we always work with partners. There are no kata forms in Aikido. When the sensei has finished demonstrating a technique, the students break into pairs and practice the technique. Students practice both throwing their partners, as well as being thrown. I find this type of practice exceptionally valuable. As I practice each technique, I find out very quickly if I am executing the technique correctly. If not, then I have the immediate opportunity to correct what I am doing and make it work against a living attacker. The instructors are also there, watching the students work and helping us correct our techniques. They suggest proper ways to stand or move, making our practice far more effective. When I am being thrown, I have an opportunity to learn how each technique is supposed to feel when it is being executed. I feel how my balance shifts, and changes direction. I also have the chance to feel where the stresses are being placed on my body before a throw or during a pin.
Finally, Aikido is really a lot of fun, but it is also challenging. When I watch a technique being demonstrated for the first time, the movements at first seem simple. Then I’ll try to execute the movements by copying the sensei, and realize that sometimes even the basic moves of the technique are really very complex, This is not an easy art to learn, but it is extraordinarily satisfying to execute a technique and have it work very, very effectively. This art teaches me patience and humility. After each practice I leave the dojo exhausted but energized, and I nearly always have a smile on my face.

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