The Ricmond Virgina Martial Art Suenaka-ha Aikido is a synthesis of Founder Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei's Aikido and that of Shin-Shin Toitsu Aikido founder Koichi Tohei Sensei. It is a system of self-defense designed to be street- effective, while paying equal attention to spiritual, mental and moral/ethical development.

To Move As A Shadow:

You must constantly be aware of your surroundings and be able to capitalize upon them. If you make an opening, then you absolutely must go for it or it is a waste of the “spirit of the thing.” If you practice otherwise, after a while you will be unable to take advantage of an enemy’s weaknesses and become ineffective as a warrior.
- Miyamoto Musashi
Welcome to Suenaka Style Aikido School located in Midlothian, VA part of the greater Richmond Area

Suenaka Aikido in Richmond Virginia

Aikidoka Applying Aikido Waza at Richmond VA aikido schools in richmond va

Welcome to our Richmond Virginia Dojo's website where you will learn about Suenaka-Ha Tetsugaku Ho (Suenaka Style, Philosophical Way) Aikido in Richmond Virginia.

All who have sincere hearts are warmly invited to experience the opportunity of studying this highly effective form of martial art known as Suenaka Style Aikido with our aikido family (aiki kasoku) in Richmond Virginia.  Suenaka Aikido combines both the spiritual and martial dimensions of Aikido as a proven method of self-defense, along with the philosophical teachings of Suenaka Sensei.

Your journey here affords us the chance to share a limited measure of meaningful information as it relates to our martial training.  It is our sincere hope your visit provides you with an enhanced perspective of who we are, along with a concise and definitive understanding of 'what is' and 'what is not' Suenaka Style Aikido in Richmond Virginia.  Suenaka Style Aikido is a method of budo which continually evolves.  In order for a student to properly study Suenaka Sensei's method of Aikido, requires a direct association with the source of its teaching, which is Suenaka Sensei himself.

Our Richmond dojo is conveniently located in Midlothian Virginia, at the end of the Powhite Parkway, making our classes convenient to the south side of Richmond VA, and points from Chesterfield, Chester, and Petersburg, including the Glen Allen and downtown Richmond areas. Our sister dojo Aikido of Suenaka-Ha Ashland, provides yet another convenient location for the study and legitimate instruction in Suenaka Aikido, serving the northern half of Richmond VA and the surrounding areas.

Both Suenaka-Ha Aikido dojos offer weekly classes.  Additional aikido classes are scheduled as needed for special workouts and celebrated events such as seminars with Suenaka Sensei and our dojo anniversaries.  Students have free access to train at either location without additional fees being imposed.  This access to freely train at either dojo further enhances the synergistic relationship between the Richmond VA and Ashland VA schools.

Aikido of Suenaka-Ha in Richmond and Aikido of Suenaka-Ha in Ashland, offer the only authoritative and definitive Aikido instruction in Suenaka Style Aikido in Richmond Virginia.  Our dojos are the only two schools authorized to teach Suenaka-Ha Tetsugaku Ho Aikido in Virginia, as personally granted by Roy Y. Suenaka Soke - founder and president of the American International Ki Development & Philosophical Society, also known as Wadokai Aikido.


Richmond Dojo Students and Instructors.
How we train at Suenaka Aikido in Richmond.
Learn More about Suenaka style Aikido.
Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei the Founder of Aikido.
History of the Richmond Dojo
Frequently Asked Questions About Aikido

Virginia Dojo Locations

Aikido of Suenaka-Ha Richmond

Brandermill Office Park
13501 East Boundary Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
Get Driving Directions

Class Schedule

Tuesday Evenings: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Thursday Evenings: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Sunday Mornings: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
1st Wednesday of each month: 6:00 - 7:00 AM

Our Richmond dojo is conveniently located near the end of the Powhite  Parkway near the intersection of Old Hundred Road and Genito area of Midlothian in Chesterfield county.

Aikido of Suenaka-Ha Ashland

Henry Clay Shopping Center‎
405 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Get Driving Directions

Class Schedule

Friday Evenings: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
3rd Friday Morning: 6:00 - 7:00 AM
Sunday Evenings: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

The Ashland Dojo shares a location with Old Dominion Martial Arts and is located in the Henry Clay Shopping Center, Ashland VA.

You're Invited:

Takemusu-Aiki is the Martial creative; excellent and infinite creativity in and through aiki. A state in which aiki principles are so manifest in a person that perfect techniques arise spontaneously from the energy of the moment. Takemusu-Aiki is the goal of all aikidoka

We invite you to visit our dojos in Ashland or Richmond Virginia, to experience up-close and personal this powerful and efficient style of aikido known as Suenaka Aikido.  Since aikido techniques do not rely on physical size or strength to be effective, it is ideal for men and women of all fitness levels. We offer two free introductory classes without obligation.

Whatever your personal reasons may be for considering a new journey of self-discovery; whether for spiritual development, philosophical nurturing, physical conditioning, learning the rich tradition, culture and history of this Japanese art, or just pure effective self-defense, we will and can accommodate your wants and desire. If your personal preference is slow and easy, the fast and the furious, or perhaps the opportunity to train as realistically as possible, these diverse levels of intensity are available.

We provide the opportunity for you as the student to create your own space and to study for your own reasons. Each member of our dojo family (aiki kasoku) is allowed to train at their own personal level of comfort, without feeling compelled or embarrassed to perform anything which makes them feel uneasy. Safety is always the cornerstone of our instruction with the objective of raising the bar of challenge within each student's respective skill level. Our emphasis is to develop within every student a comprehensive understanding of the basic principles along with essential elements of effective self-defense.  These elements of self-defense are combined with the philosophical teachings of Suenaka Sensei and Aiki Principles. 

What we are looking for in an Aikido student:

Should you have a thirst to be challenged, with a sincere desire to learn and to be genuinely committed in your study, we offer you the opportunity to tap in to a source of unlimited learning. The Well of Opportunity for personal growth and development is only limited by the student.  If by chance you are in search of an atmosphere where your personal well-being outside of the dojo is as equally important as when you are training on the mat, then our dojo may be the environment for that support and encouragement you seek. Our collective interest and concern for our Aiki Kazoku extends beyond the confines of the place where we practice the Way.

Our dojo family looks forward to meeting you.

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Class Information

Tuesday Evenings: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Thursday Evenings: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Sunday Mornings: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
1st Wednesday of month: 6:00 - 7:00 AM

Dojo Calendar

For More Information:
Contact: J. McClure, Chief Instructor

Special Classes and Events as Scheduled

Dues $50 per month with no contracts. Discounts are available for active duty military and law enforcement professionals.

Class Location

Brandermill Office Park
13501 East Boundary Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
Get Driving Directions
(located in the TriStar building in the back)

Upcoming Events

February 15: Tokubestu Keiko
- Location: Ashland Dojo from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Social to Follow)

February 28: Kangeiko/Winter Camp - Hombu Dojo with Suenaka Sensei, Charleston, SC.

March 8th - Ashland 4th Year Anniversary - Special Workout & Social To Follow

June: Summer Camp with Suenaka Sensei Cheraw, SC - 6/13 to 6/20

July: Richmond Dojo Anniversary - Special Workout and Social

August 2nd - Ashland Kyu Testing

 

Community

Cyber Mat Our dojo Blog. An up-close and personal look at Aikido through the eyes and experiences of our students and instructors.

Martial Manager Student Login

Aikido Resources and Links

Aikido Humor



 
Aikido of Suenaka-Ha Richmond offers Martial Art Training and Self Defence Classes located in the Midlothian Area of Chesterfield Virginia In the Ricmond Metro Area