If you are a beginner to aikido or a longtime practitioner in the art, Seattle Aikikai is a safe, fun and technical place to learn. As a young aikidoka, I deepened my ukemi, became more detail oriented and overall strengthened my practice here. When I finish an hour or two of training at Seattle Aikikai I feel joy. Pure and simple. Joy and relaxation. The instruction has a long complex lineage with roots to Japan and are accepting of members from different styles (me). Have fun and here's to some juicy training! read more

after i closed my dojo due to covid in 2020, i took a short break from aikido (i've been training since 1995). i resumed training with seattle aikikai in 2021 after an invitation from malory, and have been warmly welcomed into the community since. aikido practitioners have a joke: "how many aikidoka do you need to change a lightbulb? three. one to change the lightbulb, and two to say 'that is not how we do it in my dojo'." that is not the case at this dojo. while we are affiliated with hombu dojo, all aikido styles are welcome, and i appreciate being able to train with people of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. full disclosure: i am now a full dues paying member of the dojo, am one of the instructors, and am honored to teach classes here. we are a non-profit corp, and i have received no financial gain from making this review. i hope to see you on the mat! read more

For anyone who is looking to study Aikido, please have a look at my review and my personal experience. I have trained in this dojo for a couple of years before I was "removed" by the head of this dojo and one senior student for reasons that have never been communicated, only assuming, that my 29-year background in studying Aikido seems to be some sort of an issue for the founder and Aikido what is thought at this dojo. Aikido is all about acceptance, deep philosophy (the art), and good efficient techniques that are a combination of balance of body and mind. That made Aikido so special from some of the other martial arts and something that is rare to find nowadays. However, be aware of this dojo. As professional the website may looks and as inviting as it seems, my experience with this dojo has been the very opposite of positive. First, this dojo is a community of people that know each other for a long time and that is an issue if you want to study Aikido, be "accepted" and progress here. It's all about the perspective of the founder which is not truly aligned with the values of good Aikido. What you find in this place are lightsaber camps for kids, a mix of yoga and partly strange perspectives of Aikido from the senior members and especially founder, repeating basic techniques of Aikido (all what the founder and staff feel confident with) and absolute favoritism to specific students and friends of the dojo when it comes to tests, exams, and opportunities to mature, growth and progress in the path of Aikido. The reviews that have not been removed and are 4/5 stars rating are long-term community members and friends of the dojo, not as many reviews based on facts and experiences of members, guests, and visitors of the dojo. What I dislike here so much is that it seems like this dojo is really trying to position, to build a brand and treat Aikido as a business (with competing factors to other dojo's) rather than a non-profit with the mission to teaching Aikido and keeping its true values and beauty alive. If you are looking for good Aikido, do yourself a favor and research more, find another place that values Aikido before the reputation of the dojo, a trainer that is competent in techniques and art, understands the background and philosophy of Aikido and not skipping all these important components in favor of their own benefit. This is not Aikido - it's a martial arts club with entertainment exercises and perspectives that has very little to do with the art of Aikido itself. read more

Studied here for 20 years or so. Maybe that speaks for itself, it's always been a dynamic caring space with great leadership and kindness.

Having studied martial arts for many decades and trained in several schools (dojos), I would highly recommend Seattle Aikikai. The teachers are skillful/experienced and the dojo is a welcoming/inclusive environment. Seattle Aikikai offers a safe and supportive place to learn and continually practice Aikido. read more

I spent a large part of my formative aikido years studying at Seattle Aikikai. As I have told many people, Malory Graham Sensei is simply one of the best teachers (of anything) that I have met in my life. She is incredibly patient and respectful of her students, and allows people the space to learn from their own mistakes without forcing instruction upon them. And she has adeptly passed her teaching style on to her successors at Seattle Aikikai. I have trained for 25 years and lived the majority of my life in Seattle, and Seattle Aikikai is the very first place I would recommend people go to practice aikido in the city. read more

Having recently moved to Seattle - one of the first things I had to do was find a new Aikido School. As I visited Seattle several times last spring and summer to lock in the new job, I also was visiting Seattle area Aikido Schools. After a pretty exensive search / investigation, Puget Sound Aikikai was hands down the school I wanted to train at and be a part of. The owners / chief instructors and kind, welcoming and giving teachers. The facility is not only beautiful but is also easy to get to :) The prices is more than fair and the school offers many classes each day of the week. If you are experienced in Aikido or are looking to begin this beautiful art, I would highly recommend you stop by Puget Sound Aikikai to check it out. read more

Seattle Aikikai – Uptown Dojo - Martial Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is a great dojo. I've been training now for over 10 years and have been fortunate enough to visit a number of dojos in various cities (typically associated with business travel). Whenever I'm in Seattle, I always make it a point to stop by and visit Malory Sensei. I had to travel to Seattle regularly for work several years ago and Malory and her dojo basically adopted me when I was in town. I've really enjoyed every opportunity I've have to learn under Malory. She really emphasizes the connection between uke and nage in a way that speaks to where I am in my journey. She's also a great person on and off the mat. It's not just Malory either. The students there are all welcoming and warm people. They practice without ego. They're focused, but know how to keep it light and fun. They're just a great group of people. I haven't been able to experience this, but I know they also do things together that aren't just about aikido. They hold ikebana classes, movie nights, host fundraisers, and really foster a sense of community within the dojo. It all starts from Malory and the atmosphere she creates in the dojo. If you haven't gathered by now, I'm a fan. I can't recommend this dojo enough. Leave your ego at the door. Open to your mind to what's being shown, and I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

A great dojo for both beginners and more experienced practitioners. I highly recommend aikido to anyone who's interested in martial arts as a practice, but may not be interested in aggressive sparring. Malory-sensei is an excellent teacher and I learn something new every class. As someone new to martial arts, I was a bit nervous about starting out. They have a very attractive beginner's package, and I was able to sit in on a class before committing. Once I started attending practice, I was able to pick up the material quickly thanks to the one-on-one practice we get with other students as well as the teacher. It's a great community of people; everyone is welcoming and patient. The classes are well attended but not too crowded. read more

I've been training here about five months now, and I've been continually impressed by how welcoming, friendly, and understanding all the dojo members are. There really is a community of folks here who are committed to helping each other and enjoying the practice together. There is no sense of competition, and everyone is free to move at the pace they find most helpful. I am completely new to aikido and martial arts, but Malory-Sensei helped remove all obstacles for me to join. I came in to watch a beginner's class and ended up on the mat instead! Sensei and the other instructors have been so patient with me as I've challenged myself to stick with it despite being a somewhat non-standard learner. It's also worth mentioning that I'm non-binary and generally expect to have *some* kind of issue with that anywhere I go, but dojo members have been universally inclusive and willing to learn how to pronoun. Besides aikido classes and seminars, the dojo also offers yoga, zazen, ikebana, social-waza outings, and probably other stuff I'm forgetting. The variety is welcome, and all of these activities complement aikido nicely. It's pretty awesome to go for a morning aikido class and then arrange flowers in the afternoon. So. In conclusion, Seattle Aikikai is a great place to learn, and I'm really glad to have found it. Obviously I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a place to practice. read more

As a longtime Aikido practitioner and a newcomer to Seattle, I knew the best way to get a feel for the city (and make new friends) would be to join a dojo. While there were a handful of choices, Seattle Aikikai really stood out for its warm welcome, acceptance of students coming from different training backgrounds, and its study of Aikido as both a physical and spiritual practice. All of this is made possible by the people behind the dojo: Malory Sensei and the members of Seattle Aikikai. Malory Sensei has an incredible presence on the mat, and her teaching is instructive, inclusive, and supportive of all learning styles. Other students are equally enthusiastic and curious about all aspects of the art, and I'm happy to say that I did in fact make new friends. If you're in Seattle for business, or have decided to make it your new home, I highly encourage you to come watch a class or train with us! read more

We (wife and I) have been training here for about a month, and so I thought it was the right time to post a review. I wanted to write a review both while the experience was a little new, but after I'd attended a reasonable number of classes. I'll go into further detail, but in short, I can give my unreserved recommendation for this dojo, its lead instructor, and the students. About me: I'm returning to aikido training after a multi-year hiatus. Prior to that, I have a little over a year's worth of patchwork aikido experience acquired across two hemispheres. Further back, I have somewhat more experience with judo and danzan ryu jujitsu. My perspective isn't that of an advanced practitioner, but more reflective of a rusty novice with some experience at a handful of dojos. Take what I say with a grain of salt. Aikido: Since some people are probably here looking more generally for a martial art rather than aikido specifically, this is my brief, novice perspective on what aikido is, and how it compares to other martial arts. To clarify, this is just background. My review is about the dojo, not aikido. Aikido, judo, and many jujitsu schools all come from Japan and share a fair amount in common. Traditional jujitsu ("gentle practices") are gentle in the sense that many techniques were designed to be done with the hands rather than samurai swords. But, many of those techniques were still designed to mame or kill opponents. Both judo and aikido: 1. remove the killing and maming bits 2. incorporate something of an ethos around non-violence. Aikido is defensive art. Strikes are performed only as an entry into helping your training partner perform a defensive technique--often a throw. Compared to something like taekwondo or karate, you won't see anyone doing roundhouse kicks to the head or breaking boards with their fists at aikido. Compared to judo, aikido techniques feel more subtle. Also, aikido isn't a competitive sport, and doesn't do ground fighting. Someone looking for quick self-defense training or wanting to "kick ass" will probably find aikido slow and frustrating. What I like about aikido, is that it's great exercise for both my body and mind, but also low-testosterone / not-a-deathsport. I can see myself still practicing when I'm 70. Seattle Aikikai lead instructor: Sensei Malory Graham is great. In aikido, instructors of her level (6th dan) are considered master instructors or "shihan." Demonstrations are clear. Techniques are level-appropriate. Individualized pointers are well-timed and insightful. Relative youth and advanced rank of the instructor is a refreshing rarity. As the lead instructor, Graham sets the tone for the dojo, which is focused and follows dojo etiquette similar to what I've observed elsewhere. But, it's also not excessively formal or devoid of humor. People in this dojo smile and laugh, which is not to be underrated. Highest marks; couldn't be happier. Other students: There are quite a few students who have been training at this dojo for many years, which bodes well for a dojo. That means the dojo has advanced students to lead some classes, and to train with on the mat. I've noticed that at the vast majority of the "basics" classes (particularly the evening ones), there have been quite a few of the more advanced students stick around. This is super useful, as their good modeling of the techniques makes learning much easier. The social atmosphere is good and has monthly "social waza" get-togethers at the pub down the street. I haven't been to a proper one of these yet (only to a mini impromptu social hour in honor of a visiting former student), but limited sampling suggests that these are all people I'd want to hang out and drink a beer or two with. The dojo and misc: The space itself is good sized, and can accommodate healthy class sizes. It's neither the largest nor the smallest dojo I've been in, but it feels like a good size. The mats are modern sport tatami tiles, which make taking falls nice. The mats are a bit stickier than canvas, which makes sliding a little hard. Canvas looks cooler, and slides better, but this is far and away my favorite surface to fall on. The dojo is nicely decorated, and, like most aikido dojos, fastidiously clean. Students clean up the dojo after every practice. Everyone does a little bit of work, which results in a sense of ownership over the dojo. Side effect is a clean dojo. There's lots more I could say, but I'll stop rambling. Easiest thing to do is to come watch a class and see if it looks like fun. tl;dr: Solid dojo, great instruction, nice people read more

I just moved to Seattle as well, and I likewise was looking for a new dojo. However, my experience was exactly the opposite of the previous poster's. Halfway through my first beginner's class, the sensei decided to beat up on me. There really is no other way to describe it. He performed a series of techniques upon me in an unnecessarily brutal and painful fashion for no purpose other than to show off. He pinned me to the floor and challenged me to get up twice. He forced my hand into my nose during a sankyo technique hard enough to cause lasting bruising. I should also mention that he took me away from my partner in order to do this, so she had to wait while he did this. The other students were perfectly reasonable, but I would not return to this dojo under any circumstances. read more

My son has been doing Aikido here for about 2.5 years. The Dojo is run by Malory Graham. We were drawn to the act that a woman is the Sensei at the Dojo. Initially our motivation was to get a PE Waiver in school. Aikido is different from other martial arts, in that it encourages using the opponent's negative energy against them. This seems particularly resonant in times such as the ones we are living in. It is as much a practice of the body as it is practice of the mind. In fact, I would offer it is mind and body coming together. Before joining the Dojo, my son would question his physical abilities. A sign of his confidence in his ability is manifest in that he no longer questions his ability and in fact uses his Aikido training and approach in other aspects of his life. Seattle Aikikai, is not just a Dojo where one learns the practice of Aikido, but a community. We are grateful to have found it! read more

If you're looking for a welcoming community, Seattle Aikikai has it in spades. Great space, great teaching, great spirit!

I have been training at Seattle Aikikai for about 4 years, and before that I trained at the sister dojo Portland Aikikai for another 3 years. The Seattle dojo is under the direction of Malory Graham Sensei, 6th Dan, and, like Portland Aikikai, is closely affiliated with instructors Yoko Okamoto Sensei and Chris Mulligan Sensei of Aikido Kyoto, Japan. My experience is that the Seattle dojo is a very welcoming place to learn and practice this deep and mysterious art. Also sharing the space is a zendo, an iado club, and yoga (the last of which is also taught by Malory Sensei). Ikebana is also offered four times a year (at the changing of seasons), by Ikebana master Charles Coglan. In addition, there are frequent special aikido workshops by Malory Sensei, and a number of high-ranking visiting Sensei pass through from other dojos periodically to give seminars. There is also a Soto Deshi (special intensive) program for the most dedicated of students. It must be recognized that aikido is not for everyone - it is, I believe, much more deep and subtle than karate for example, shading as it does quickly into philosophical and spiritual dimensions. That being said, it is certainly easy enough, with the senior members of the club, to get pushed to the edge of your physical abilities and even beyond, if that is what you're after. However, there is never an intention to inflict pain or body damage, no matter how intense it gets. Practitioners are very considerate. It of course is never possible to satisfy everyone. However I think that Malory Sensei is very skillful at striking the balance between staying true to the traditional, formal roots of Aikido, while at the same time providing a welcoming space for training at all levels, as well as sensitivity to the diversity of the Seattle demographic and culture. Highly recommended, without reservation! read more

Our daughter has been attending Aikido classes here twice a week for three years and loves it! The instructors do a great job at balancing technique, discipline and fun - all while keeping the kids engaged and excited about what they are learning. It's more than just a kids class - it's a community of kids, parents and staff. We have recommended PSA to family and friends and will continue to do so! read more

Seattle Aikikai – Uptown Dojo - Martial Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My son love taking classes at this dojo, which offers a very supportive and focused atmosphere.

I have been a student at Puget Sound Aikikai for many years, and I've also trained at other Seattle aikido schools. I like PSA and can recommend it for beginners and for advanced students. The community at the dojo is very welcoming, as noted by others, and the facility reflects the care and diligence of the students who train there. There are lots of classes and dues are quite reasonable. The school is affiliated with the US Aikido Federation and the international headquarters, Hombu Dojo, in Tokyo. One of the great things about aikido is that beginners and experienced students train together, and you don't have to be the same skill level. An experienced aikido student can learn a lot from training with new students, and vice versa. Classes at the dojo can be very aerobic, while at the same time accommodating a wide range of physical abilities and encouraging everyone to train safely within their own limits. The instructors at the school care about teaching the fundamentals so that the beauty of the art develops in practitioners wholistically and is grounded in an in-depth knowledge of what aikido is all about read more