A dojo is more than a place to train and get fit. We are a diverse community of members who love the physical and mental benefits we gain from aikido practice, and we enjoy sharing our practice with others.

Aikido of New Orleans is a non-profit organization run by volunteer instructors and senior students. All fees and membership dues go back into operating the dojo.

Our lineage and history

Aikido of New Orleans is the oldest and most established aikido dojo in Louisiana. We began in 1994 as a student group at Loyola University. As our group grew and evolved, we held classes in a number of shared or borrowed practice spaces. In 2009, we opened on Magazine St, and had to close in 2020 due to Covid19. In 2021 we reopened for indoor training in the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center, thanks to the New Orleans Shotokan Academy.

At Aikido of New Orleans, we are open to everyone. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or immigration status.

Members of the United States Aikido Federation

Aikido of New Orleans and its students belong to the United States Aikido Federation (USAF), which is the American affiliate of Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters) in Tokyo, Japan. Hombu Dojo was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), the originator of aikido, and is now led by his grandson, Moriteru Ueshiba. As such, Aikido of New Orleans can trace its lineage directly back to its Japanese source.

A not-for-profit group based in New York City, the USAF provides both technical and administrative guidance and support to its member dojos and students. The USAF is headed by Yamada Shihan (master teacher), a Technical Committee and a Board of directors. Together they oversee the practice of aikido and its instruction as established by Aikikai Hombu Dojo, also known as Aikido World Headquarters, in Japan. For member dojos and students in the United States, the USAF develops and maintains standards and ranking requirements consistent with Hombu’s international regulations. It also organizes seminars, conducts aikido demonstrations, encourages activities of member dojos, and publishes information and materials pertaining to the marital art.

What is aikido anyway?

“The word aikido is composed of three Japanese characters: ai, meaning harmony; ki, spirit or energy; and do, the path or the way. Thus, aikido is  “the way to harmony with life energy". In this regard, O-Sensei created a martial art in which the preservation of one’s attacker is equally important as one’s own self defense.

​Aikido is more than the study of physical techniques; attitude, behavior and respect are also stressed. The basic movements of aikido are circular in nature. One trains to harmonize with, rather than confront, aggression. 

As a traditional Japanese budo, aikido maintains the qualities of martial spirit, effective technique and intense training. This, coupled with the premise of mutual respect and caring, and the important balance between attacker and defender, embodies the spirit of O-Sensei’s desire for universal peace.” - From the United States Aikido Federation Website