Aikido in the Hudson Valley of New York
The Art of Peace Aikido dojo is located in the historic Old Firehouse in the center of Stone Ridge, NY.
We feel blessed having found such a wonderful, bright venue in the Hudson Valley, a short drive from Kingston, Rosendale, Ellenville, Woodstock, New Paltz, High Falls, Stone Ridge, Newburgh, Beacon, Saugerties, Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Mt. Tremper and Phoenicia, New York.
Our dojo space is newly renovated, we have the entire upper floor of the old historic firehouse, and it is dedicated to Aikido. Downstairs is a wonderful art gallery. It is very fitting to us, because we view Aikido as a creative, living art as well. We are thrilled to welcome all to come and to share the Art of Peace with you and your family.
Aikido | Body/Mind Conflict Resolution
Aikido is special among the martial arts because it focuses on conflict resolution rather than on confrontation. People often think it looks like a feigned interaction, as if the attacker chooses to go along with a technique, but you have to experience its power to truly understand the dynamics at play.
At the Art of Peace Aikido dojo we want to give you the opportunity for that experience in a friendly no stress environment.
The Art of Peace Aikido dojo was founded by Annette Schediwy Mackrel and Ralph Legnini. Driven by the desire to realize their vision of Aikido in the 21st century, they aim to create a dojo promoting an internal culture that is always inclusive and inspiring.
Practice is vigorous and focused on blending with an attacker, redirecting aggression, and ultimately diffusing negative energy. Our Aikido lineage can be traced through our teachers directly to OSensei and Hombu Dojo in Japan.
Chief Instructors:
Annette Schediwy Mackrel, 6th Dan Shidoin
Annette (she, her) began practicing Aikido in 1985 in her native Germany after witnessing an Aikido demonstration by Hiroshi Tada Sensei on a trip through Italy. She studied for 8 years with Katsuaki Asai Sensei in Düsseldorf and regularly attended classes and seminars with Noro Sensei, Tada Sensei, Fujimoto Sensei, Ikeda Sensei, Kobayashi Sensei, and other Shihan on the European circuit before relocating to the US in 1993. After a short stint at the NY Aikikai with Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei, she moved to Woodstock in 1997. She continued as student of Harvey Konigsberg Sensei, teaching the Tuesday night class at Woodstock Aikido for more than 25 years. The pandemic inspired her to explore teaching weapons via Zoom and her kata classes became a dynamic outlet for many cooped up aikidoka during COVID. In fact, she gained a whole new perspective on jo katas, viewing them essentially as a means of ki practice instead of weaponry. As dojo-cho, Annette was part of the dojo council successfully rebuilding Woodstock Aikido after the pandemic. She and Ralph Legnini decided to strike out on their own, fulfilling their vision of the Art of Peace.
Ralph Legnini, 6th Dan Shidoin
Ralph started training at Woodstock Aikido in 1991, after watching a class that a fellow musician friend insisted he come see. Thirty years later as a student of Konigsberg Sensei he now holds the rank of 6th Dan, Shidoin. Until leaving Woodstock in 2023, Ralph was the highest ranked & longest original student of Konigsberg at that Dojo. Ralph directed the children’s program, and had been teaching kids at Woodstock Aikido for over 25 years, as well as teaching Aikido at The Middle Way School (one of the first Buddhist preparatory schools in the West), the Buddhist Monastery, The Hudson Valley Sudbury School, and the after school program in the Woodstock area public school system. Ralph is also the former President of the Onteora Central School Board of Education, the music producer on Saturday Night Live, and a song, movie & TV composer who feels that both music and Aikido are fundamentally based on the exact same thing – harmony - and as unique individuals, we all have to create harmony in the way best for us within our own world. Sometimes that means seeking a blend in a sweet spot of commonality, and other times, knowing when best to just let things stay in their own space - as you move in a completely different direction. That's Aikido.
Art Of Peace Aikido is a member of the Shin Kaze Aikido Alliance. All ranks attained through Shin Kaze are registered with and recognized by Hombu Dojo, the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
We welcome members of all Aikido affiliations.