ABOUT US
Our dojo was founded in 1997 by Robert Waltzer Sensei under the name "Aikido Of Queens". For more than 20 years our school has been teaching aikido self-defense to the residents of Little Neck, New York and surrounding neighborhoods – Great Neck, Douglaston, Bayside, Glen Oaks, Flushing and Long Island.
We are an independent school, and our roots derive from Nihon Goshin Aikido (Japanese Self-Defense). It is a system which was founded and developed by Japanese Martial Arts master named Shodo Morita. He trained under Yoshida Kotaro Sensei. Kotaro was a senior student of Sokaku Takeda and classmate of Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei in Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu. In 1946, Morita Sensei created Nihon Goshin Aikido, a practical system of self defense. Techniques from Aiki-Jujitsu, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, and Karate form the basis of Nihon Goshin Aikido. Every important aspect of self-defense is included in this system.
On September 1st, 2018 our dojo has started a new phase under a new management. Robert Waltzer Sensei had turned over the running of the dojo to his student of 11 years Igor Novik Sensei. Novik Sensei brings his kickboxing background to the students. Our dojo has changed its name to "Aikido Self-Defense and Kickboxing".
Grand Opening in 1997
Women Self-Defense Class
Adult Division Class with Robert Waltzer Sensei
Article in Crain's New York Business, November 2004
What is Aikido?
History of Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese form of self-defense and martial art that uses locks, holds, throws, and the opponent's own movements. Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies and philosophy.
Aikido is known for its graceful techniques and swift seemingly effortless movements which propel an attacker through the air. Aikido focuses on balance, posture, mental awareness and means of subtle, but often very painful, pressure applied to joints to bring the opponent down and under control. Aikido is an excellent form of physical exercise, self defense, personal growth and confidence.
Aikido use in modern world
Aikido employs techniques that are traditional to samurai warrior of history. However, the conditions of our modern world no longer resemble the broad, open spaces of the battlefield.
There are times when you simply cannot execute a broad, sweeping technique and find it necessary to defend ourselves in smaller space such as elevator or subway car. For that reason our program consist of an arsenal of defenses: kicks, punches, chops, elbow blows, chokes, restraining holds, techniques against moderns weapons (knifes, guns, clubs) – all that can empower a person in the modern world.