I live in the Philadelphia area and currently study Judo. There are two school within driving distance for me that teach Aikido. I plan to start seriously training in Aikido (I will still do Judo). One school is the Yoshinkan Aikido style, the other is the Kokikai Aikido style. I was just wondering if anyone was familiar with either of the systems and if there were any suggestions for which is more reputable (if either) and which may be MORE practical for self-defense. Any info would help, Thanks.

Here is my take on the on the Aikido styles. Style varies not as Aikido but as application. Some put more value on Ki and energy flow, others on techniques and others on self defense. Kokikai schools I have found for my taste to be soft and not self defense focused. The schools I have been to are more in the spirit of Aikido and general soft techniques. Yoshinkan on the other hand, I have been told teaches police and swat teams. From the Yoshinkan I have seen and train with they are very self-defense oriented and have a tendency to be harder, in terms of locks and throws than Kokikai

Thanks Sensei Lou, that is a big help.

I practise a style of aikido that is very close to Yoshinkan and I would have no hesitation in recommending that style to anyone. The founder, Shioda sensei, placed the emphasis on practical application and there is less about "ki" than in many other styles. It is a robust style orf aikido and training can be demanding.

I'm not familiar with the other style you mentioned so I can't comment on that one. The best thing you could do would be to go along and watch a class from each style, talk to the sensei and decide from there which one is for you.

Budo

Actually, thanks for all the info and I have decided to go with the Yoshinkan because I have seen the instructor teach a class and he is very knowledgeable and helpful. Also, he seemed very outgoing when I spoke with him and he seemed to be open to questions and willing to help. Thanks again for the info!

Good for you. I'm sure you will enjoy your aikido training and it will complement your Judo training very nicely. A word of warning though - it is very easy to get frustrated or disillusiioned in the arly stages of aikido training. It IS a difficult art to learn. Just remember that training isn't just about training the body, it is also about training the mind and that takes a long time. Stick with it and you'll be glad you did.

Happy training [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

Budo

Kokikai's founder is from the Ki Society and therefore the curriculum is based on Koichi Tohei's 4 principles. Teaching emphasizes flow and ki development.

Yoshinkan is known for developing strong basics and precise techniques. Yoshinkan's founder, Gozo Shioda was taught Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and later Aikido - both by Morihei Ueshiba.

If it was me, I'd start with Yoshinkan for a good foundation. The best option would probably be to go check them out and choose for yourself.

Good luck!

Jake McKee
www.budovideos.com

Hi, ID. I hope Yoshinkan is suiting you well.

A year late, but had to mention - Philadelphia is the heart of Kokikai Aikido - there is an incredible opportunity there. The founder of Kokikai, Shuji Maruyama Sensei, lives in Philadelphia three months each year, holding camps and seminars in the area, and leading regular classes as well. This makes for ...significant local instructors.

Kokikai does not consider itself a subset of Ki Society. (We're encouraged to avoid the word "ki" - Maruyama Sensei tells us it is too much potentially confusing.) The Kokikai Basic Principles are not the same as Ki Society's.

FYI see www.kokikai.org - of course it can't begin to address your questions, but - YOW - Philadelphia! - I just got back from our advanced seminar week there - I'm kinda jealous, you _live_ there! No, training in Boston is ideal for me, but I try to spend as much time in P as I can when Sensei is in town.

(There's some devastating ukemi available for enthusiasts!)

Wow, another response. Unfortunately the Aikido was a bot too far out of the way for me. I am in the suburbs and it is just too crazy to drive into the city as most classes are held right around rush hour. I have been sticking to Judo and just started Boxing. I still am interested in Aikido and will probably try to find a club next year...after I graduate college. I'll have much more time/money available. Thanks for the responses though.

FYI Center City Dojo recently relocated: http://www.philadelphia-aikido.com

Also note Kokikai USA HQ is Northeast Dojo: http://www.kokikai.org/pages/directory/detail.t?recID=36

Luck! Enjoy!