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Welcome to Newport Beach Aikikai - Shin Do Kan Dojo
2020 Quail Street, Newport Beach, CA 92660
"Dear Sensei:
Thank you for helping my growth as an aikido student of the Shin Do Kan Dojo. My most recent two years have been a great learning experience and I look forward many more challenges in the future.
As you know, when I first came to you I had been plagued with frequent neck and back problems, due to a car accident many years prior. I shared my concern with you about my health, but was interested in the notion that aikido might be able to help me develop increased mobility and strength. I’ve been impressed that you’ve allowed me to develop at my own speed, and I am happy to report that I have not had a significant flare-up in well over six months. I’m sure anyone who’s had such health problems can relate to the price one would pay for renewed mobility, but needless to say my training has been a bargain compared to the alternative.

Beyond the physical benefits, aikido provides me with a great mental outlet from the stress of work. I now know that I made the right choice of joining your dojo as I practice in the warm environment you’ve created in Newport Beach. My fellow students have always been supportive and I look forward to sharing my experience with others. I’m writing this letter with gratitude, and in hope that others will be similarly inspired to try aikido at Shin Do Kan Dojo"

-David Takata
President & CEO
ENGAGE CAPITAL, INC.
 
 
"For the last twenty years of my life, I have been looking for the most time efficient, physically demanding workout. Over the last couple of years, I realize that I have stumbled upon one of the best kept secrets in Newport Beach! Not only does your Aikido classes offer an amazing physical challenge but the mental growth, coordination development, and stress relief is equally remarkable. I am also learning a mode of defense which has enhanced my confidence in all aspects of my life. Aikido is an art and as such it continues to demonstrate new and interesting aspects.
We here at Newport Aikikai are especially fortunate to have you as our instructor, an otomo of Sensei Sugano (second generation to the founder of Aikido), who has dedicated his life to teaching Aikido right here in our community.
Thank you for your commitment to this art.
 
-Carla Wells, M.D.
Doctors of Women Health Center
 
 

"About four years ago I was motivated to learn Aikido after learning its benefits in business and of course health. I looked at the options in Orange County, and found the Shin Do Kan Dojo suited my needs the best. It is the only full-time dojo in the area offering traditional Aikido and a convenient class schedule.

Besides improvement in my health, Aikido has helped me to maintain my competitive edge in business. My focus, agility, and stamina have all improved over the past 4 years because of Aikido.
It is also fun, and a person can start at any age. I started at age 47!
I would highly recommend the Shin Do Kan Dojo to anyone who is interested in studying Aikido. "
-Keith Russell
President
Euresys, Inc.
 
 

"Dear Sensei,
We just wanted to let you know how excited our family is to be part of your full time Aikido Dojo here in Orange County. For many years we were running around, from sport to sport, and season to season (baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, etc) looking to expose the kids to a variety of athletic endeavors to make sure they were well rounded while growing up. The look on my wife’s face after doing this for four (4) kids said it all … she needed a break.
Having lived in Japan for 3 years, and being exposed to Aikido, I began the search to find a suitable martial arts location in Orange County. We looked at all martial arts but had our heart set on finding a traditional Aikido dojo that reflected what I had experienced in Japan – a place of quiet to focus on a whole body and whole mind work out – a place where we could build community with others who were seeking a well rounded, athletic outlet for their kids.
Our extensive search (with multiple visits to many martial arts locations) ended once we set foot in the Newport Beach Aikikai dojo. It is not a place to be boastful or noisy. Nor a place to be beaten down by other students. Simply a nurturing environment for our kids to develop their minds and bodies as they mature. It is a special place and we are forever grateful for having found you and your students.
For anyone researching locations, we’d suggest they cease their search and just go see you – we already did the research, after all. And for any parents or kids who doubt that the “gentle art” of Aikido is not a good work out, or is too easy – well, we have 5 family members who can attest to the total physical and mental work out you get while learning to control your body and protect yourself should the need arise. Our daughter loves it! Our sons love it! And my wife and I love it!

Thanks again!"

John Fox
Vice President
GAGE • The Power of Marketing Fusion
4701 Von Karman Avenue • Newport Beach • CA • 92660
 

"Dear Sensei,
 
Thank you very much for your full dedication to Aikido. These days it is not easy to find a full time, traditional dojo. I am so glad to have found the Shin Do Kan Dojo, because it’s not just a good martial arts school, it’s also a place where help and support can always be found.
Doing Aikido is a great way for me, as a teenager, to escape the high school drama and be exposed to a more serious environment. One might think that doing martial arts can cause a collision with academics, but my grades actually keep on improving although the classes are getting harder every year.
Even though Aikido takes away my free time, it helps me manage it wisely. Before I started Aikido, I was addicted to video games. My only desire was to finish my homework as fast as I can and go play a computer game. Aikido changed that very quickly. I found that there is something else in the world that is fun. After a few weeks of Aikido my only thought after school was, I have to finish all this homework before 5:30 so that I can go to Aikido with a clear mind. I still have some time to play video games, but I don’t play nearly as much as I played before. It’s not addicting anymore at all! Well, to make a long story short, Aikido is a great way for anyone to learn discipline, self-defense, and grow both mentally and physically."
 
Nastia Shuba
High School Student
Newport Beach, CA

 
 
"Dear Sensei Pennewaert,
 
I wanted to take the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and thank you for sharing your knowledge and understanding of Aikido through your teachings at Shin Do Kan Dojo.
Finding Shin Do Kan was a real blessing for me as I've found the practice of Aikido to be the best physical and mental workout I have ever experienced. I'm still as enthusiastic as I was five years ago when first coming to the Dojo to learn from you, and practice with fellow members.
Unlike other types of exercise, that soon became dull and unexciting to me, the highly advanced techniques of Aikido are challenging and rewarding. Additionally, I've found the basic concepts of Aikido – embracing and redirecting forces – to be applicable in both my professional and personal life.
I think it is human nature to sometimes avoid or ignore certain challenges we are faced with, hoping they will simply go away. Through the practice of Aikido, we learn to "take in" and "blend" the forces coming towards us, and simply re-direct them.
As a small business owner, I am consistently tested with new challenges and my new reaction to these challenges is to embrace them. I've found a whole new meaning to the concept of "going with the flow".
I can truly see myself practicing Aikido for the rest of my life as I've found it only gets better as I discover and learn more about the art. Thank you again for your commitment to this martial art and to your students. I wish you good health and much success with Shin Do Kan Dojo.
Best regards,"

Luis Alvarado
Principal, LA Design
www.la-design.net