What Our Students Say

Keith Cannizzaro

When my 13 year old daughter told me she wanted to begin martial arts training, I knew that it would be something she would enjoy, but I needed to find a dojo that offered a nurturing environment with people her own age and size. After the first session with Tom Sensei, we knew that we had found the right place! He is incredibly supportive and engaged with his students - from teenagers to middle-aged adults. I would watch each class and was impressed to see the changes in my daughter. As she continued her training, her self-confidence grew, and she became much more engaged with her fellow students. I am pleased to have her studying Aikido with Tom Sensei and feel that this environment is a great one to get otherwise tentative students out of their shells and into a great and positive martial arts environment!

Milen Nashev

I have been looking for a non-competitive martial art for my teenage son and knowing that Aikido meets that requirement I signed him up with Tom Sensei. Over time, I myself grew to appreciate the benefits of this martial art training and specifically Tom Sensei's way of teaching and combining the technical side with the spiritual mind-centric side of Aikido. So I decided to join the dojo for myself, and am so glad I did. The benefits of practicing Aikido are definitely worth it! Aside from the increased flexibility, the Aikido training and especially Tom Sensei's personalized attention helps me regulate my mindset and provides a whole new perspective not only on what I can do with self-defense, but with my everyday life as well. I really look forward to every training session! As Tom Sensei always says "Keep showing up". This is the most important step to improving myself.

Rebecca Six

I started looking at different martial arts to find an activity that would get me out of the house and improve my quality of life. I wanted self-discipline and self-defense without aggression. Essential Aikido has not only gotten me out of the house, but has also given me a unique, powerful perspective. It showed me how to reframe my "failures" as feedback on how to improve. Since I joined, my confidence, decisiveness, and fitness have increased. Now I know my strength and value and I can use that to impact the world around me in a positive way.

Dr. Jared Blacker

I was looking for non-competitive self-defense classes and Essential Aikido not only fit what I wanted – it expanded my vision of what is possible by providing self-defense training and applying it to real life situations. I have grown more confident in my ability to defend myself and am happily surprised that thrill of becoming stronger mentally and more capable physically increases my confidence to take on challenges in all areas of my life. While I love coming to class for the Aikido, the deep sense of belonging to our dojo family where we support and help each other is indescribable! We collaborate, not compete, to get each other to our next level. I have had great mentors and coaches before, but I've never had someone as dedicated and precise in feedback as Tom Sensei. Incredibly effective Aikido, nurturing dojo family, and access to Tom Sensei's insight and feedback is an unbeatable combination!

Cory Harasha

I've always been interested in learning a martial art to help integrate my mind, body, and spirit. Aikido appealed to me because of its spiritual nature, and the perspective of viewing an attacker as a partner as opposed to an opponent. Our dojo helps me achieve my goals while also teaching me practical self-defense principles. During Covid, we came together to support each other, and Aikido provided a wonderful social activity despite the chaos happening around us. Aikido has also helped me stay in shape, improve my posture, and build my confidence.

Matt Joanes

When I started Aikido at age 5, I had very little idea what to expect. My dad had brought me to his instructors' dojo when I was a baby, which led to my first roll being out of my car seat and onto the mat. I was fine though, and I like to think that that's what first got me hooked. When Tom Sensei opened San Tan Aikido Kokikai (now Essential Aikido), I was happy just to be on the mat and having fun. Little did I know, Aikido would become a huge part of my life and one of the biggest reasons my dad and I are so close. Tom Sensei pours everything into the dojo, and it shows. He is constantly looking for ways to evolve and continue to bring out the best in his students.

One of the biggest things I learned through Essential Aikido is how to harmoniously handle conflict so that all parties involved feel valued, heard, and understood. I still use these skills today as an intramural sports referee and residential assistant (RA) when dealing with disgruntled athletes or upset residents. Another lesson I took from Essential Aikido is that when in doubt, turn. Now this may sound simple or perhaps it makes no sense at all, but until you've been on the mat, you can't fully grasp how important this is. As I continue to navigate the world of college, I'm reminded that whenever I get stuck, to turn. Whether it be to turn to friends and family for support, to an advisor for advice, or to literally turn and go somewhere else.

Tom Sensei has created a place where people can come to learn, laugh, and feel a sense of belonging. Essential Aikido is an experience unlike any other, which is why I trained for 11 years. I could have stopped, and there were numerous times I didn't want to go to class, but I kept showing up. What still amazes me to this day is that no matter how bad or good of a mood I was in before class, I would always leave feeling better than when I entered. Tom Sensei has poured his heart into his dojo, and any student would be lucky to have him as their instructor.