730 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Aikido Florida Aikikai. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
My son has studied aikido at this remarkable dojo for 8 years and counting! Florida Aikikai is home to wise, witty, dedicated, heartfelt, and earnest practitioners of the "way of harmonizing life energy." This place is the real deal. We are so grateful for Helen Sensei in particular with regard to her remarkable leadership and example in the children and youth program. Thank you Helen!
One of the best Dojos that I have ever trained. It is a luxury to be under Peter and Penny Bernath teaching. The space and the tatami are perfect, and I can bring my kids with me while I train, which is a huge plus after becoming an aikido mother!
This an excellent dojo. The facility itself is great, with a large open space that helps the training flow, there are bathrooms, changing rooms and showers for the students to use. Parking is free and plentiful. There are classes available almost everyday (morning, afternoon and evening) for different student ages and of different skill levels, which makes it incredibly convenient. Besides, on any class you will be training alongside several high ranking students (black belts, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Dans and above) which helps to quickly elevate your own skill level. It is really an incredible opportunity to train under the tutelage of 2 of the highest ranked Sensei in the USA, Peter and Penny Bernath sensei.
My 6 yr old daughter absolutely loves her Aikido classes and Sensei's. She has been part of this dojo for almost 1 year and it looks like we will definitely continue! She is also looking forward to their summer camp. Highly recommend, wonderful environment and the Sensei's are amazing.
Sensei Peter and Sensei Penny are both amazing teachers! Students are very friendly and everyone will help you get started. It's the best Aikido dojo in FL!
Now a days is hard to find a place where the instructors and staff care for the people and invest in them. I am more than blessed and honor to have my child attend Florida Aikido Fort Lauderdale, thanks to Mrs. Helen and all the other Sensais, (Teachers) and staff for all their support and help. The environment is family oriented, easy and smooth. It's just great. My son didn't think he would like it but within the first week he was loving it. They teach him about discipline, self control, and self defense from a positive respectful view. Thank you so much Aikido Florida Aikikai. ❤️
Both my kids love the place. I stayed for the first lesson and i am impressed
I came for a wedding in Florida and ended up at an Aikido Class. It was the highlight of the trip. Great Aikido, Great people, Amazing teachers.
Love every moment since I started. No two instructors are alike so you have a wide base to learn from, and Sensei Peter can only be described as AWESOME 😊
My daughter attends the 2021 summer camp. She loves the senseis and the camp. Will definitely be resturning for the regular classes
I really love this DOJO. It was over 8 years ago that I attended my first Winter Seminar and was happy to see they got a great photo shot of me practicing beach side with a colleague. I would recommend this team highly as they are really genuinely amazing people that want to help you learn and grow. I feel Aikido was the best fit for me and wish I was still attending. Great prices and flexible schedules too!
On a continual journey for spiritual and physical betterment, and after many twists and turns in my life, I finally found my way to Florida Aikikai, and am now blessed and honored to call this place home. Aikido, in it's broadest sense, is the way of harmony that one should strive to attain in all aspects of life. I'm not going to get into the technicalities of the philosophy here, but as I understand it, the practice of aikido and spreading of it's teachings will ultimately help to create a peaceful world for all. Luckily, there are many high level practitioners at this dojo who can provide more insight about this incredible martial art, beginning with Senseis Penny and Peter who are members of the USAF board. Because of the many teachers that students have access to, there are many different teaching styles that we experience, which greatly benefit growth in the art. There are classes available at various times, for individuals of every skill level and most age groups, and even specialised classes, teaching weapons, internals, and overall wellness. Class provides an opportunity for high intensity and dynamic movement, but also teaches you to be calm and focused in difficult situations. Both being things that we all need in our everyday life. One of the best things that has happened since attending is that I have also built a great sense of community with the students and teachers, many of whom have become close friends outside of training. There are usually special offers when you first join. You can sign up and give yourself time to try it out and see if you like it. For me, it took one meeting with Sensei Peter and one trial class, and I was hooked and wanting more. I think you might feel the same way if you tried it. Feel free to come in and take a look, talk to someone, and hopefully join us on the mat. See you there.
My son xavier was enrolled in the summer program at aikido. this place is amazing. the staff is amazing. the kids are so engages and pasionate about the program. What i like about it the most is the life skills that are incorporated in the program. i plan to put my son back asap. this program has improve my son attention span, discipline and self control. thanks ms helen for working with our family. i will see you soon
Excellent dojo, really cool people and a great Aikido master teacher Peter Bernath!
Our special needs daughter has spent 3 summers at Florida Aikikai. She has earned every stripe and every belt. Helen Sensei, Keith Sensei, Darius Sensei, Marisa Sensei and Julia Sensei run a beautiful Dojo. Thank you to all of you for all you do!
I could not have asked for a better place to train! The people I train with here have become extended family.
My son (6) and I (40+) have both trained here and loved it. Adults and children's classes are separate. The kids summer camp is also very good. Peter Sensei is on of the highest ranked instructors in the country, and he is kind and patient with his students. My experience has also been great with every other instructor. The dojo is kept very clean. The mats are cleaned after every class. As a martial art, aikido is great in that it is not about fighting or competing. It is purely about protecting yourself, not just when attacked, but in all aspects of life. Something as simple as knowing the right way to fall has kept me and my son from multiple injuries at play and in daily life. I can directly credit my improved reaction time and ability to quickly move out of the way for keeping me from getting hit by a distracted driver in a parking lot. My son has also avoided many bumps to his head by knowing how to fall safely. I highly recommend trying it out for people who want to learn to protect themselves, but hate the idea of stepping into a ring and trading blows with someone else.
I came to Florida to train in this school after seeing all the great students and teachers they had. They offer classes every day and many different hours throughout the day. I learned so many great techniques from everybody around me. This is a top school for aikido if you want to learn.
The most friendly place ever,think more as family atmosphere where you can practice with the best teachers. Every students help new comer as best as they can. To train and learn Aikido and make friends ,this is the place for you . I did it few years ago and it was one of my best decision . Experience of a life time .
Always a great experience. Thank you Peter & Penny for all you do.
Very easily one of the best dojos in the country. I have trained all over the US, and Florida Aikikai is one of the few dojos that gets top marks in all categories. Peter Bernath Shihan provides some of the highest caliber instruction I have encountered that is always clear and consistent, and all the instructors do an excellent job meeting those high standards. The senior students are always very friendly and welcoming, and the the dojo as a whole has a friendly family-like atmosphere. You will quickly feel right at home here. The facility is very large for an Aikido dojo, with lots of space for training. There are changing rooms with showers on-site that include lockers, but inside the main training room there is plenty of space to store your gear without the need for a locker. Typical classes have 10-20 participants, so you will get to work techniques with lots of different body types and sizes. There are classes every day of the week, and offered at multiple times, so there are many opportunities for training. Classes have skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced, and whatever your level, you will be challenged and encouraged to improve your technique. Florida Aikikai also is host to one of the largest Aikido winter camps in the country with USAF's top instructors each November. Basically, just stop looking. You found your new dojo. Welcome home. :)
So lucky to live near one of the best Aikido dojos in the US... The dojo is beautiful, people are amazing, and the instructors are second to none... People often stop in when traveling from around the world just to be able to train under Senseis Peter and Penny... The kids classes and camps are awesome too - my kids love it! :)
I'm as thrilled as my son is that he's back for another summer at the dojo--the best, most caring instructors and staff give these kids an awesome, safe, fun and creative summer with a balanced mix of martial arts, games and arts and crafts.
My daughter has been doing aikido here since she was 4 ( she is 12 now) We love the caring, family atmosphere, and there are classes for all ages. The summer camp program is awesome!!!
Huge mat and clean facility. Peter Sensei and Penny Sensei are the best. Train with incredible talented teachers who have oodles of experience in a family friendly environment. Most established Aikido dojo in SE United States with most direct lineage to Hombu and O Sensei.
Florida Aikikai is an impressive martial arts studio. Their instructors are top-notch, the facility is super clean and there's lots of parking out front.
Florida Aikikai offers high quality instruction and training. I've been training in Aikido for 47 years and feel fortunate to now be with Florida Aikikai. I continue to be inspired by the skill and leadership of Shihan Peter Bernath and Shihan Penny Bernath. Men, Women, young and old train joyfully together at this dojo.
My son has been studying at the Florida Aikikai dojo for over 2 years now, it’s perfect for him, sensei Helen is AMAZING with kids, my son was a bit shy and she managed to coerce and involve him in all of the activities, and kept him interested and growing. He is now a mid belt and proud of every stripe and belt. I was a martial arts practitioner as a teenager, but have been out of any and all activities for the last 4 year due to a very bad back. I told sensei Peter about this and he encouraged me to do a few test classes and said they wanted to give me a sport to practice the rest of my life, so we would find a way that’s good for my back. All of the black belts respect and are careful of your limits. You can learn much from this school. I highly recommend it.
This is an amazing school with awesome instructors, and friendly people. People of all ages and skill levels train here. The facility is clean and well organized. The fees are very very reasonable. I absolutely recommend this place....
Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei offer an amazing training opportunity for anyone who is interested in Aikido. Having two Shihan's in a single schools gives students a rare opportunity in itself but having a male and female perspective at a Shihan level is an absolute gift for those that can attend their classes.
Sensei impecable! Bonito espacio
If you don't have money forget these places in South Florida. Not less the 150 usd monthly. I practiced in Germany. Aikido there is more focus in the man and less in the money. But of course also aikido here is a reflection of the society. For example if Morihei Ueshiba come back here cannot practice here his art. It is sad.
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