Tarzana Aikikai

I’m a member of another Aikido Dojo closer to me, where I train 6 days a week, and in the past 10 months or so, I’ve make it a habit to observe another school about once a week. Yes, that’s about 40 or so of them; in all different styles: JKD, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Wushu, BJJ, Shotokan etc…
This is a 5-​star review as a spoiler alert. Let me go over what I want:
A serious, sincere, focused, holistic, lower and higher order analysis of a particular field of martial arts wherein there’s a blending of teacher and student — that is to say that the teacher considers themselves an advanced student who can teach, and not a master with nothing more to learn.
I seek a school with a defined art of style which isn’t based on strength, dominance or brutality but on deeper understandings which transcend those.
A school where the process of learning is the purpose of the institution. Where there’s more interest in eager students than paying customers — where the community is first and the business is second.
I also, ideally seek a school where the senior students are qualified enough to run their own schools, but choose to study under the head instructor. That, to me carries much weight. A dojo without 15+ year practitioners is a red flag.
This unsuspecting 2^nd story dojo off ventura blvd miraculously hits every mark. In fact, there are only 2 schools in LA that I have found that do — the one I practice at and this one.
I am honored that the head instructor has permitted me to train there as intermittently as I can go for a very modest mat fee (which is actually about half of what is usually charged).
I encourage you to go and observe a class … that process is free and you can leave if you don’t like it at any time. If you think that this dojo isn’t unique then go back to Unilocal,type in aikido, and visit all the other ones in town.
Think sincerely about the pedagogy and focus and practice that you see here versus elsewhere and ask yourself whether you are serious about the martial, the art. if you are just looking for a version of 24-​hour fitness taught by a guy wearing a dogi so you can get muscles and impress the ladies, there’s plenty of other schools. But if you want to learn martial arts, go here.

This dojo is fantastic. I started when I was 9 years old, and I have been training here for over 8 years. The dojo is very friendly to all ages; there are kids’ classes for children as young as 3 years old, and adult classes for both newcomers and students who have outgrown the kids’ classes. The instructors are amazing as well. Both Rob Sensei and Nancy Sensei are very good at explaining the techniques. Rob, the main teacher whom I trained with the majority of the time, uses great analogies to help understand difficult concepts and techniques, and Nancy is phenomenal at working with kids. They are very patient and are attentive to every student. With kids, they also help teach discipline and respect. While most kids don’t give trouble, they can be strict when need be.
My experience training at this dojo was great. Rob and Nancy are some of the nicest people I know, and I am really glad I have trained here. This dojo is great for kids and adults alike!

My son loves this place! He’s been going for a few years and also attends the Summer camp. He is safe and learning the art of Aikido from fabulous people. Sensei Rob and Nancy have incredible patience and treat each child with respect and love. I highly recommend Tarzana Aikikai to anyone interested in the martial arts.

My daughter and I love Tarzana Aikikai! It’s so family friendly and the instructors are wonderful. My daughter starting taking classes when she was 7 and then I started shortly afterwards, and I’m in my 40’s. Sensei Rob and Nancy are so patient and good with kids and beginners, I wish more moms would get on the mat. My daughter enjoys the summer and winter camps, Nancy has them doing many fun and educational activities. Even if your child doesn’t do Aikido they will still enjoy the camp and it would be a good introduction to Aikido.

When my six-​year-​old daughter showed interest in martial arts, we took a tour of various dojos in the San Fernando Valley. We stayed open-​minded to all disciplines: Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Jujitsu, Kung Fu, and MMA (kidding). We sampled classes in Woodland Hills, Encino, Reseda, Tarzana, and Sherman Oaks. We covered a lot of territory searching for kid-​friendly (/​focused) instructors that knew how to keep my kid interested and could gradually transition the learning and philosophy as my daughter grew into a young adult. Tarzana Aikikai met and has surprisingly exceeded my expectations.
The instructors are nurturing and strict (when necessary). They make the learning process fun, and somehow, find the time to help every student in the class. Each class is a positive learning experience that (I hope) one day, my daughter will appreciate. I have recently joined, so an adult-​focused review will come soon.

I’ve been a student here for a few months now, and I’m very happy with where I’m at and what I’ve seen. I won’t mention what dojo I used to train at, but I can tell you that everything that they did wrong over there is so right over here. The main sensei, Rob-​san, is very open minded and welcoming of new ideas. His partner, and wife, Nancy-​san is one of the most genuinely sweet women I have had the pleasure of meeting. Aaron-​san, who transferred from the old dojo, may start out a little rough around the edges, but if you stick with him, you’ll learn a lot in a short amount of time. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this dojo. Every student here is friendly and open, and every class has been a humbling, enriching, and exercising experience. Come here with an open mind, and let them fill it with their wealth of knowledge.

My husband has been taking Aikido classes from Tarzana Aikikai for the last 4 months and loves it. The instructors have a lot of experience, patience, promote a healthy learning environment, and teach classes for all ages. The membership is very affordable and includes unlimited classes, including yoga.
The dojo is spacious and welcoming. Parking is convenient due to a Walgreens right next door. You can learn more about Aikido from Tarzana Aikikai’s website.