Sending a shoutout to the forum. My job is relocating me from Central Florida to Northern Virginia (Quantico area) and I'm searching for a new dojo home.

I've studied Matsubayashi-Ryu for a little over four years and really disappointed that I'm having to leave my current dojo (very traditional, but also very Christian atmosphere). I've done some preliminary searches and found no dojos in NoVa that teach any of the Okinawan styles.

I'm willing to look at other styles, its more about the dojo atmosphere to me than the style.

Thanks.

The Washington, DC, metro area is very fortunate to have leading teachers in almost any art you could want. You would be in proximity to the city of DC and southern Maryland in addition to Northern Virginia, so expanding your search may locate the Okinawan style you desire. A lot of Marines at Quantico have trained while stationed in Okinawa, so you may want to ask around at the base. They also have a thriving MMA culture there.

With regard to other Japanese styles -- Aikido is a very prominent art in the area because it was Mitsugi Saotome's first stop after leaving Japan. He founded the still-thriving Ueshiba School located in Takoma Park, Maryland. There is also an Okinawan-style aikido school located in Woodley Park, DC, of which I cannot remember the name but was impressed with the teacher.

Or, if you have an interest in samurai weaponry, there is the Washington Area Budokai, located near Old Town Alexandria in Virginia.

Quite honestly, I haven't heard one bad thing about any Japanese style dojo in the area. I would recommend visiting several and finding out what you like.

Hope this helps, and maybe we'll run into each other sometime!

Kathryn

Hey,

I am in that area and about a few minutes south of Quantico.

THere are a lot of different styles and schools. It would depend on how far you want to travel. I can tell you if you are at Quantico going to DC and/or MD is a drive that sucks ballz. So, it will depend on how much u want to commute and where you end up living.

Here is a school I had checked out a few years ago and they aren't that far from Quantico.

http://www.dojolocator.com/Niagara-Shobukan-Marshall-Arts/

J

There is a group of very traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu practitioners that train regularly in Wash DC and Alexandria, VA. For information about the system and training google Kimo Wall (It's his organizaton) for his web site and visit the BostonKodokan site. Send me a pm and I'll help you get in touch with the group.

Hi Achilles,

How did your search go? I teach Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu in the Baltimore/BWI area. I also know some connections in the DC area.

Paul