Aikido of Olympia is a dojo located in downtown where we practice the art of harmony. Come check us
Aikido Olympia has grown out of an Aikido tradition begun in 1971 at The Evergreen State College by Hirata Yoshihiko Sensei, a student of the founder of Aikido. Aikido of Olympia has existed at our current location for over 4 years and is going strong. Come and join us at 506 Columbia Street, Olympia, WA 98501 to see what the practice of Aikido is all about.
08/02/2024
We’ll see you again in 25 years.
Just kidding! Zen class is taking a break for August and we’ll be back sitting in the dojo next month. Students are encouraged to maintain their practice in daily life!
Meanwhile…
04/17/2024
Join us tonight (and every Wednesday!) for Zen meditative practice at the dojo. Everybody welcome!
04/16/2024
Olympia arts walkers! Come by the Dojo on Friday night (April 26th) for a lively conversation between Aikido and Shodo—two Ways, one spirit! Local master calligrapher Chiyo Sanada will be showing her amazing works—and perhaps even producing some live! We are also featuring the nature art of our Youth Aikido student Issa Okamoto-Wiseman. It’s sure to be a fun night and we hope to see you there!
01/11/2023
Friday evening, ~5:30, Aikido Olympia is hosting the world-renowned Japanese Taiko drum team “Kodo”. Currently traveling around the USA with his family, they are playing Taiko drum solo and/or with his children as a “free“ street performer.
Since he is prohibited from earning $$ for his performances, any food donations would be appreciated.
加藤拓三和太鼓公演 新型コロナウイルス感染症対策文化芸術活動緊急支援事業「ぎふ清流文化プラザ“再始動”プロジェクト～tomoni～」加藤拓三和太鼓公演２０２０年８月１日（土）場所：ぎふ清流文化プラザ 長良川ホール出演：加藤拓三（...
03/17/2022
Olympia calligrapher paints with feeling Even if you can't read Japanese, Chiyo Sanada's art tells a story.
Hello Aikidoka,
All of us at Aikido Olympia are very happy to announce that Jim West Sensei will be visiting us this week. Please see below for a schedule of this week's classes and events. We are planning a potluck at priest point park on Saturday. All classes will be held at the dojo. Please let us know if you have any questions.
West Sensei seminar June 2021 teaching schedule
Thursday 17th
• Open mat 3:30-5:00 pm
• Beginners class 6:30-7:25pm
• General class 7:30-8:30pm
Friday 18th
• Open mat 3:30-5:00 pm
• Class 6:00-6:30pm
• Testing 630-8:00pm
Saturday 19th
• Weapons Class 8:00-11:00am
• Potluck at priest point 1:00- 3:00pm
• Meditation/sitting 8:00pm
Adult Open Mat tonight 5:30-6:30 for those getting ready for testing!
For those getting ready for testing demonstration later this month, there will be an open mat this Friday (June 4th) 5:30 - 7:30. An instructor will be present, but no scheduled/instructed class. Bring your uke if you have one!
Save the dates! Promotional demonstrations on June 18th, and Saturday morning class with Jim West Sensei on June 19th.
Planning is in process, so stay tuned!
11/16/2020
Letter from the Editor: November 2020
The winds of change are upon us. The United States is transitioning to new political leadership and much of the world is entering winter and facing the most dangerous phase yet of the pandemic. We’ve lost many aikido dojos around the world, and nearly every dojo has lost members. The very soul of our art is human connection, which we have largely turned away from for the common good.
We don’t know what the future holds for the aikido community and what our infrastructure will look like when we emerge from the pandemic. We do know that it will be our generation, those of us reading this editorial now, who will be responsible for the very survival of the art. I’m not a historian, as my predecessor, Stanley Pranin was, but I do believe that our generation will become known as one of most pivotal in the history of the art of aikido.
As we all find our way through this unique time in history, we can use this moment not just to hold our communities together, but to reflect and plan. What can we do through the remainder of the pandemic to best position us for its end? And what strategies will we pursue to preserve our art and create a more meaningful place for it in today’s society?
This is a time to ask the hard questions:
-What does our community look like now- demographically and organizationally? What‘s left of our infrastructure?
-What is the essence of what we are practicing?
-What should the role(s) of aikido be in today’s world?
-How can we best recover from this crisis?
Through the remainder of the year, Aikido Journal will be exploring these questions and looking at ideas and perspectives from both the past and present. We will be republishing interviews with members of the Ueshiba family, editorials from Aikido Journal’s founder, and pieces from others with keen insights into the essence of aikido. We will also be publishing new articles that outline key demographics of the global aikido community and highlight some forward thinking ideas and initiatives that have recently emerged. Lastly, we’ll have some announcements about products we have in development that I’m very excited about.
Now, more than ever, we need knowledge, ideas, and skilled leaders with the conviction to shape our future.
We hope you’ll join the conversation.
Josh Gold
Executive Editor // Aikido Journal
| Tuesday | 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 5:30pm - 8:30pm |
| Saturday | 8am - 10:30am |