Suigetsukan

Are you looking for a community oriented, open-​minded and friendly dojo? If you are, come try Suigetsukan out. It’s on a sliding scale, instructors are patient and friendly. ALL sex welcome here! They know their stuff here so if you want quality instruction, come here. They have kids’ classes. They’re on a sliding scale but you are never turned away if you don’t have the money. Based on an honor system. They practice what they preach here about community. :)

I have known the Chief Instructor at this dojo for 35 years; I can say unequivocally that he is one of the most qualified martial artist I know. He also is one of only a handful of people that teach traditional Japanese swordsmanship using live blades for test cutting.
The dojo also boasts several other styles being taught including: Jujitsu, Aikido, Ba Gua and Wing Chun (my class btw). If you want to train at a school that is devoted to traditional martial arts in an environment that is friendly and supportive, look no further.

I first encountered Aikido years ago at a different dojo and was quickly intimidated by its extreme formality and «no talking, just watch and repeat» teaching philosophy. I was lost and over my head, without support from the advanced students, and I gave up almost immediately.
Suigetsukan takes everything that was wrong with that experience and inverts it. Mike Sensei leads a community that respects the formal backbone of the arts they teach and train, but which is intentionally accessible to students at all levels. We get instruction in words and in gestures, we practice and practice, we laugh and smile. The attitude here is inclusive, cooperative and serious. On the best days, people train in a spirit of joyful exuberance.
Practicing a traditional Japanese martial art can be emotionally and physically demanding. In my experience, it’s hard. But it’s a *good* hard. I’m challenged every time, and I almost always leave the dojo feeling centered, calm and accomplished. I’m still a very early beginner, but I already see my body doing things that were hard to imagine just a few months ago. Mike Sensei and the advanced students are an inspiration, a pleasure to watch, and a suggestion of what is possible.

Great and welcoming people. Instructors are very patient with beginners like myself.
I also like that they are respectful of the art form. I love the GIrl Army classes — women’s self defense.
Definitely a good ‘dojo’!!