News - Art of Peace Aikido

AikiJo Classes on Zoom - No Gi Required

Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:00am – Email us for the Zoom link.

We will be practicing a variety of classic and newer jo katas.

All you need is a jo (or a wooden stick/staff that reaches up to your armpit and is about 1 inch in diameter. Make sure it is sanded smooth so you cannot get splinters when your hands slide along the surface, hardwood is best)

We have some participants in offices/indoors, a 3 foot 1 inch hardwood dowel can be substituted.

This class is for people of all ages and genders, no prior experience necessary.

Give The Gift of Aikido

With the Holidays coming up we have a couple of gift options for friends and family.

Five for Fifty: 5 Aikido classes of your choice for $50.

Eleven for a Hundred: 11 Aikido classes of your choice for $100.

Two Months of Aikido: 2 full month of unlimited classes at our dojo for $160.

You can purchase the gift certificate by clicking on the name of the certificate you would like to purchase You will receive a personalized gift certificate by email from us. Make sure to let us for who it is.

Japan Trip 2025

The Health Benefits of AikiJo

I’ve been teaching AikiJo classes for many years now. I focus less on the martial aspect of weaponry – there are enough folks out there who do that already – but rather use traditional Aikido katas to concentrate on core centered movement, breathing and Ki development. My students often remark how the classes relax and strengthen them, physically and mentally. How they feel energized even after practice – we move with little interruption for 60 minutes straight. We all have noticed improvement in our bodies and in our brains, which I believe is the result of coordinated mindful movements of limbs, core, and breath.

Now there is a study about TaiChi Stick – very similar to AikiJo – conducted with people in their mid 80s! The research outcomes align with my experiences teaching AikiJo.

You don’t have to be in your 80s to reap the benefits of mindful moving. Our AikiJo classes are open to people of all ages. No martial art experience required.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/black-belt-brain/202510/the-benefits-of-stick-ing-with-it-as-we-get-older

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1647055/full

Dojo Anniversary Celebration

Time flies, we are going into our third year!

To celebrate we are not just having an Open House but an Open Month all of October!!!!

Tell your friends, they are invited, too. Feel free to forward this email.

No mat fees for visitors all month long.

Take as many classes as you like

— regular aikido classes

— aiki jo classes

— teen classes (if you are a teen)

— parent/kids classes

..maybe you have never done Aikido and want to find out more….

..maybe you have visited in the past and are thinking of giving it another shot…

..maybe you do not want to commit but will check us out for free…

..maybe you want to learn a cool martial art…

..maybe you are tired of the gym…

..maybe you want to explore a physical yet mindful way to exercise…

..maybe you want to learn a useful system of self defense…

..maybe you stopped doing Aikido and think sometimes of starting up again…

..maybe you just feel like trying something new….

..maybe…

We all have our reasons, they are as different as we are….

Feel free to visit us and help us celebrate our anniversary.

Invite your friends and family.

Seminar at Brooklyn Aikikai

September 21 - Great Class with Rafi DesMoya at Fire Horse Dojo, CT

2025 Women's Aikido Camp in California

Seminar in New Haven September 20 &21

Practicing Aikido in Germany

Finished my tour in Berlin with a wonderful class at Aikido am Gleisdreieck.

Aikido Summer Camp in Puhlheim, Germany with Asai Sensei and Hatayama Sensei. It was great to see so many familiar faces after all these years and make some new friends, too.

May 2025

Come join us!

March 22-23, 2025 Seminar

Congratulations Paul and Joe on your 5th kyu!!

Welcome 2025!

Holiday Schedule

The dojo is closed
Dec 24/25 and Dec 31/Jan 1

Happy Holidays!

Congratulations!!

Our new yellow belts!

Aikido Beginner's Course

Always wanted to learn a cool martial art? Looking for a fun and exciting way to stay fit? Interested in acquiring some self-defense skills while exploring harmony and the art of movement?

Our Aikido Beginner’s Course is just for you!

Join us on Tuesday evenings for 6 weeks for a foundational introduction to the dynamic Japanese art of Aikido. In this 6-week course we will touch on the history and philosophy of Aikido, cover dojo etiquette, safe falling and rolling, practice basic responses to a variety of strikes and grabs, and introduce Aikido weapons work. Designed as a springboard for regular dojo membership, participants can join regular dojo classes at any time – before, during, or after the introductory course.
No experience or equipment is necessary. Wear loose and comfortable clothes and bring an open mind. For adults and teens age 16+.

Fee: $120. Includes the Beginner’s class and one additional weekly class fitting your personal schedule, plus a free Aikido T-Shirt.

Already a member or ready to join the dojo as a full member? The Beginner’s Course classes are free and open to all dojo members, and recommended for new members of all levels.

Next dates: Nov. 12, 19, 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 2025 6:00-7:00 PM

To register email ArtofPeaceAikido@gmail.com

Congratulations to Adrienne and Michael on their 4th kyu.

It's our Anniversary !!

Anniversary tees and hoodies for sale. Support the dojo, buy and wear one of our wonderful shirts.

Tees $20
Hoodies $35

One Year Art of Peace Aikido in Stone Ridge

Open House October! No mat fees for visitors. Take as many free try-out classes as you like in October. Come celebrate the Art of Peace in Stone Ridge with us.

We have classes for
– Adults
– Parent/Kids
– Teens
– Aiki Jo

Shin Kaze Alliance Summer Camp:

Ralph Legnini, 6th Dan Shidoin, will be teaching a class on Sunday at the seminar.