Business Details
23 Years
experience
Your Trusted Martial Arts Dojo in Toronto
Founded in 2003, Naka Ima Aikikai is a Toronto-based martial arts dojo dedicated to teaching Aikido and Shotokan Karate. Our practice emphasizes harmony, presence, and personal growth through dynamic movement and mindful training. Led by experienced instructors with decades of expertise, we welcome students aged 10 and older, offering classes for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Our philosophy centers on blending physical discipline with inner calm, fostering community through cooperative learning and non-aggressive conflict resolution.With roots in traditional Japanese martial arts, we prioritize safety, inclusivity, and the development of core values like respect, perseverance, and self-awareness. Our team includes certified black belts who actively participate in global seminars and maintain affiliations with prestigious organizations like the Aikikai Foundation. We provide free trial classes to help newcomers experience our approach firsthand, ensuring accessibility to all interested in martial arts regardless of prior experience.
Services
Aikido Classes
Karate Classes
Weapons Training
Beginner Classes
All Levels Classes
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- Instructors include 6th-degree black belt Greg Angus with 45+ years of experience
- Free trial classes available for all martial arts programs
- All-ages curriculum focusing on non-aggressive conflict resolution
- Affiliated with Japan's Hombu Dojo and Aikido World Headquarters
- Annual seminars led by visiting master Endo Shihan
Associations and certifications
- Aikikai Foundation
- Aikido Isshinkai Association
Services
Aikido Classes
Our Aikido program teaches non-confrontational self-defense techniques through partner-based practice. Students develop physical fitness while learning to harmonize energy with training partners. Classes incorporate breathing exercises, technique demonstrations, and collaborative practice sessions that emphasize safety and mutual growth. This martial art improves balance, coordination, and mental focus while fostering community through cooperative learning.
Karate Classes
Traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate instruction focuses on character development through structured training. Classes emphasize fundamental principles like discipline, etiquette, and perseverance while building physical strength and technical proficiency. Students practice forms, sparring, and self-defense applications in a supportive environment that values personal growth over competition. Our curriculum follows time-tested methods passed down through generations of instructors.
Weapons Training
Advanced Aikido practitioners train with traditional weapons including wooden swords and staffs. This specialized instruction develops spatial awareness, precision, and understanding of movement principles. Weapon training enhances empty-hand techniques by emphasizing proper distance, timing, and energy projection. Sessions focus on safe handling practices while maintaining the philosophical foundations of Aikido's non-aggressive approach.
People
Greg Angus
Chief Instructor
6th-degree black belt with 45+ years of martial arts experience. Founded Naka Ima in 2003 after training at Tokyo's Hombu Dojo. Hosts annual seminars with Endo Shihan and teaches internationally.
Ramin Arvin
Founding Member
5th-degree black belt who began training in 1992. Studied intensively as live-in student in Philadelphia. Now practices in British Columbia while maintaining active role in Toronto dojo activities.
Joseph Baqaee
Aikido Instructor
Joined Naka Ima in 2013 after discovering Aikido's transformative potential. Focuses on evolving movement techniques while participating in international seminars to expand his practice.
Darren Evoy
Aikido Instructor
Trained in Sudbury before joining Naka Ima in 2017. Specializes in weapon training and values community connections fostered through martial arts practice.
Dr. Rebecca Roth
Aikido Instructor
Math educator and martial artist with training from multiple North American dojos. Received her first and second dan from Greg Angus Sensei while integrating Aikido principles into daily life.
Questions
Is Aikido suitable for all ages?
Yes, our Toronto classes welcome students aged 10 and older with no prior experience required.
What should I wear for my first class?
Bring a t-shirt and loose-fitting pants; gi uniforms are included in our introductory package.
Do you offer free trial classes?
Yes, we provide free trial sessions for all martial arts programs to help newcomers experience our practice.
What are the benefits of practicing Aikido?
Improves physical fitness, stress relief, flexibility, and teaches non-confrontational conflict resolution techniques.
Are there competitive elements in your training?
No, our focus is on cooperative learning and harmonious movement rather than competition.
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