Welcome

We believe that every person can practice Aikido and that you bring a unique quality to our dojo.  We look forward to having you join the Seattle Aikikai community.

"Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow."

— Morihei Ueshiba, the Founder of Aikido

Upcoming Events

  • Sat. Nov. 21:  Joanne Veneziano Sensei begins teaching on the third Saturday of each month at the Capitol Hill Dojo.
  • Sat. Nov. 21: Kyu testing at the Capitol Hill dojo.
  • Wed. Nov. 25 to Fri. Nov. 27: The dojo is closed for Thanksgiving break. Open mat training is available.
  • Sat. Dec. 5, 5-8pm: Annual fundraiser and party at Capitol Hill. This is the only fundraising event we hold during the year. Members, family, friends, neighbors, and community members are welcome to join us for a silent auction, kids’ program update, potluck, and fun events.
    More information | Donate items for the silent auction
  • Dec. 23 to Jan. 1: The dojo is closed for winter break. Open mat training is available.
  • Thurs. Dec. 31, 6pm: New Year's Eve misogi at Golden Gardens. Bring a snack or hot beverage to share, a bathing suit, towel, dry clothes, and an intention for the new year.
  • Sat. Jan. 2 to Sat. Jan. 9: Kangeiko (mid-winter intensive training).
  • Fri. Jan 15 to Sun. Jan. 17: Kristina Varjan Shihan seminar at Tacoma Aikikai.

About Aikido

The image shows Morehei Ueshiba, or O Sensei, the founder of Aikido, an older Japanese man with a white beard and mustache, wearing a white gi and hakama, holding a large watering can and pouring water on plants.

"To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace."

— Morihei Ueshiba,

Aikido is a modern martial art developed in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei or “Great Teacher”). It is the culmination of a lifetime of study and has roots in many traditional martial art forms. Aikido (合気道) means "the way of harmonizing with energy." Aikido blends with an attack, evading and redirecting to throw or pin. At the highest level, this maintains the physical safety of the aggressor, who can then only harm themselves. Aikido has no sparring or competitions.

In a relentlessly fast-paced world, Aikido provides a place where you can practice mindfulness, develop mental and physical strength, and improve your flexibility. 

About our dojo

Seattle Aikikai is a community-led dojo dedicated to facilitating personal mastery through the practice of the martial art of Aikido.

Our goal is to preserve the history and the spirit of the art and to refine our practice of it to ensure that Aikido is personally relevant to our membership. We provide world-class training opportunities to challenge and support our members.

Our dojo is affiliated with Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan and has been part of the Seattle community since 1997. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and we provide training for anyone through a scholarship program funded by tax-deductible donations.

"The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow."

– Morihei Ueshiba

Community

Seattle Aikikai is fortunate to have a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes everyone who wants to practice. 

Aikido requires commitment and discipline. Our members will challenge you to be your best and support your practice.

In these modern times, we need a personal practice that allows us to feel vital in our bodies and connected to a community. Our local Aikido community is part of a larger community in the Pacific Northwest and internationally. The Aikido family can be found in every corner of the globe, and our members often travel to seminars in the U.S. and abroad. 

Join Seattle Aikikai and choose a practice that feels right for you. 

The image shows two middle-aged men at an aikido seminar. A man with graying hair is smiling and laughing as he throws another man with graying hair. There are pairs of people throwing each other in the background.

"As a longtime Aikido practitioner and a newcomer to Seattle, I knew the best way to get a feel for the city (and make new friends) would be to join a dojo. While there were a handful of choices, Seattle Aikikai really stood out for its warm welcome, and acceptance of students coming from different training backgrounds."

– Mahika R.

Inclusivity

Seattle Aikikai is fortunate to have a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes everyone with the desire to practice. We believe that diversity, a foundation of a wide range of experiences and perspectives, greatly enriches the practice of Aikido.

Read more about our inclusivity efforts:  "The future of Aikido is inclusive"

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