Aikido Kokikai of Rochester

Aikido Kokikai of Rochester Providing the Greater Rochester area with instruction in Aikido Kokikai® with a friendly, open, and accessible family atmosphere since 1984.

Aikido Kokikai of Rochester is one of the many dojos (schools) devoted to teaching Shuji Maruyama's ideas on Aikido. We teach in a 3,000 square foot facility, with wonderful mats and friendly people. If you live in the Rochester area, we invite you to come to one of our classes. We've got chairs if you'd just like to watch. Somebody will be glad to come over and answer your questions. You are more than welcome to practice with us. We take great care of our beginners. We'll help you to feel very safe and comfortable. If you decide you'd like to train with us, we won't ask you to sign a long-term contract. We charge by the month, and hope that you learn so many good things you can't help but keep coming back. Our prices are reasonable because we are an all volunteer run organization.

“One Point”One point is almost as esoteric as “ki.”  Physics Side: Every object has a center of gravity.  Regular shapes...
09/21/2026

“One Point”

One point is almost as esoteric as “ki.”

Physics Side: Every object has a center of gravity. Regular shapes like spheres are always physically centered. Humans are not just irregular; we are constantly changing shapes and thus our center of gravity is always changing. We move, we carry things, we slouch, we walk, we run, we sit, we wave.

When we are physically centered, our Center of Gravity is well positioned over our base, AKA, our feet that support us.

To obtain one point we must be physically centered. But that is only half of the equation…

{Insert Dramatic Cliff Hanger Music}

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

気 What is Ki?Ki is not just a word it is a concept.  We can’t simply say it’s energy and be done.  As Westerners, we lac...
09/20/2026



What is Ki?

Ki is not just a word it is a concept. We can’t simply say it’s energy and be done. As Westerners, we lack a culturally embedded meaning for “ki” .

To bridge the divide, Sensei described the conditions that must be met to have ki. The four basic principles are a map to obtaining ki.

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

Aikido Kokikai® of Rochester was established in 1984. The dojo was originally founded as a club at Rochester Institute o...
09/19/2026

Aikido Kokikai® of Rochester was established in 1984. The dojo was originally founded as a club at Rochester Institute of Technology. As people graduated from RIT, a small dojo was formed in the community, moving a few times from rooms at RIT, to MCC, to a place on University Avenue, and then finally to the beautiful space we currently occupy in the historic Post Office building on Cumberland Street. For the majority of our existence, we have had two co-chief instructors fostering a collaborative and open learning environment. Currently, those roles are filled by Brian Martens (Rokudan) and Marcella Sarkozy (Godan). We have been serving the Greater Rochester community for over three decades and we hope to continue sharing the joy of Aikido with as many people as we can.

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

As students, it is our job to empty our cups, to make room for new ideas and concepts.As teachers, it is our job to know...
09/18/2026

As students, it is our job to empty our cups, to make room for new ideas and concepts.

As teachers, it is our job to know when to pour, to recognize what each student needs and when they are ready to receive it.

We must remember that neither side is perfect, each needs to be a patient participant learning.

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

Even The Mightiest Rivers Start As Small StreamsIt Can Be Overwhelming To Start Learning Something New, Especially A Mar...
09/17/2026

Even The Mightiest Rivers Start As Small Streams

It Can Be Overwhelming To Start Learning Something New, Especially A Martial Art. But Every Expert Started As A Beginner.

Now Is A Good Time To Begin.

Tommorrow’s Experts Are Always Welcome Today.

www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

“Already Ready”When Training Becomes 2nd Nature,  We Don’t Need To Get Into A Stance Or Reach For A Weapon.  Our Resting...
09/16/2026

“Already Ready”

When Training Becomes 2nd Nature, We Don’t Need To Get Into A Stance Or Reach For A Weapon.

Our Resting State Is Readiness.

Not Forever Tense, But Relaxed, Balanced, Aware, Confident, Optimized.

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

New Students Are Always Welcome!www.aikidorochester.comTuesdays 6:30pm-8pmWednesdays 6pm-7:00pmThursdays 6:30pm-8pmSatur...
09/15/2026

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

That OSHA Training at work isn’t a complete waste of time.  No matter how absurdly and unbearably boring the videos we h...
09/14/2026

That OSHA Training at work isn’t a complete waste of time. No matter how absurdly and unbearably boring the videos we have to watch every year are, they do include some usable concepts.

The safe lifting zones aren’t just about lifting. The zone right in front of us is where we are strongest for most tasks.

Connecting to uke within this “lifting” zone optimizes the use of our strength and allows our frame to transfer loads safely and securely through our legs to the ground.

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

You Can Make Any Pocket, With Any Ball, From Any Table Position, And Still Not Win A Game Of Pool.Whether Pool Or Self-d...
09/13/2026

You Can Make Any Pocket, With Any Ball, From Any Table Position, And Still Not Win A Game Of Pool.

Whether Pool Or Self-defense,
Techniques Are Table Stakes.

Strategy, Situational Awareness, And Understanding Are Required For Victory.

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

Weapons practice reinforces fundamental movement. Open hand techniques are enhanced by studying empty-hand defense again...
09/12/2026

Weapons practice reinforces fundamental movement.

Open hand techniques are enhanced by studying empty-hand defense against knife, sword, and staff.

Balance, focus, extension, and ki are honed by the use of a simple, elegant piece of wood

New Students Are Always Welcome!
www.aikidorochester.com

Tuesdays 6:30pm-8pm
Wednesdays 6pm-7:00pm
Thursdays 6:30pm-8pm
Saturdays 9am-10:30am

250 Cumberland St, Suite 216
Rochester, NY 14605-2803
[email protected]

Address

250 Cumberland Street
Rochester, NY
14605

Opening Hours

Tuesday 6:30pm - 8pm
Wednesday 6pm - 7pm
Thursday 6:30pm - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 10:30am

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