We opened as San Tan Aikido Kokikai in August of 2006. In Fall of 2020, we re-branded as Essential Aikido. Why? In a world filled with digital inundation, the number of Aikido practitioners is steadily decreasing and median age steadily increasing. Those trends are not sustainable, and if they continue, current and future generations will miss out on the incredible impact Aikido can have in their lives – from harmonious conflict resolution skills to calm, quiet confidence. Aikido must evolve or die. Simplification to the essential critical. At Essential Aikido, we always evolve and apply the essentialist mindset of “minimum effort for maximum effect” to every aspect of Aikido.

Essential Aikido is NOT a black belt factory, a McDojo, or a mega-dojo. We are a tight-knit dojo family that cares more about quality than quantity.

Our Purpose is to accelerate confidence to play and contribute at our highest levels as martial artists, and as human beings.

At Essential Aikido, you matter. You are noticed and acknowledged. We love and accept you where you are today. (Yes, we just said love and we mean LOVE!) We don’t require you to change who you are, or become “one of us” to belong. Rather, belonging at Essential Aikido simply means: BE the amazing person you ALREADY are and DEVELOP into the more amazing person you want to be. We BELIEVE IN YOU! (…sometimes more than you believe in yourself.)

Our dojo is our training ground, our safe and sacred space. Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual safety are the cornerstones of our dojo culture. Here, there is no need or tolerance for making fun of someone’s mistakes, or making others feel small so we can feel big. In fact, quite the opposite. We acknowledge and applaud each other’s efforts and successes, actively seek ways to build each other up, and work hard to bring out the best in each other. Within this safe and sacred space, we train “for real”. As we increasingly prove ourselves, we develop the quiet confidence that doesn’t require us to shout out how great we are. Our presence is our proof.

Significant growth requires stretching our boundaries, making mistakes and “failing” over and over again. However, most people have been conditioned to avoid failure at all costs. Not here! Here, we reframe “failure” as feedback, creating a safe place to learn, accelerate your growth, and incrementally actualize your potential. Unify, purify and polish your mind-body-spirit into your ever-evolving best self!

Finally, we learn, retain and apply most effectively when we are having fun! We take our training very seriously, and ourselves very lightly. You’ll enjoy lots of laughter and camaraderie on and off the mat.