Portland Aikido

Aug 2018

My 11-year old son and I have been training with Portland Aikido for almost 2 years and so enjoy the dojo, and find the community welcoming and and supportive. And going to the USAF Summer Camp this year with KIff Sensei, Pattie, Bill, and David was really a defining moment in our practice and relationship to this amazing group of people. We're so grateful, it's been the perfect match for us in beginning our practice.

Jul 2018

In aikido you receive what you bring. At this dojo I have received calm, focus, kindness, acceptance, rigor, vision and clarity. I surely hope that means I brought them too! The folks who train here have internalized the idea that the only true challenge is the challenge in ourselves They work to help each person meet themselves where they are and grow. (Also, if you want, they'll toss you across the room. It's SO much fun!)

May 2018

Our 16yo daughter loves Portland Aikido. She has trained here for almost two years, and we are grateful for the confidence, discipline, and resilience she has earned through her practice. She dislikes most sports, but loves aikido, gets a great workout here, and comes home tired. The calm, quiet aspects of aikido have also become important to her. She feels she is practicing mindfulness techniques and says it’s almost meditative. Portland Aikido has several classes per week, so she can always fit sessions into her busy schedule. The instructors are wonderful at working with all ages, kids through adults, and they are communicative with parents. PA doesn't offer a teen class, but this is a safe, gentle art. She was safe beginning in the adult classes at 14 (and small for her age). The instructors and other students helped her feel comfortable and empowered working with all ages. She is a high school sophomore but already has a relatively professional after-school job. I believe a large part of her ability to win that job and do it well comes from the teamwork mindset and adult-interaction skills she has developed while practicing at Portland Aikido.