Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Aikido Training Center in Orange, CA
Founded in 1964 by Harry Ishisaka, we are one of the oldest Aikido Dojos in Southern California. Our school blends the traditional discipline of a Japanese Dojo with the welcoming 'Aloha Spirit' of our founder, creating a unique environment where students of all ages and backgrounds can train together. We emphasize harmony, mutual respect, and personal growth through Aikido's principles of energy balance and conflict resolution. With over 60 years of continuous operation, we remain committed to preserving the teachings of O-Sensei while adapting to modern needs. Our instructors bring decades of experience and diverse martial arts backgrounds to create a comprehensive learning experience.We offer structured programs for children, adults, and families, fostering intergenerational training and community bonds. Our curriculum includes technical precision, self-defense applications, and philosophical depth rooted in traditional Japanese martial arts. We maintain affiliations with international Aikido organizations to ensure our practices align with global standards. Our facility serves as a cultural hub where tradition, growth, and respect flourish through daily practice. We welcome both beginners and advanced practitioners, providing a supportive environment for lifelong martial arts development.
Services
Aikido Classes
Children's Martial Arts
Jiu-Jitsu Training
Weapons Instruction
Rank Testing Programs
Details
- Year established: 1964
Highlights and features
- We offer over 60 years of continuous Aikido instruction in Southern California
- Our instructors include 5th-degree black belt Brandon Ishisaka-Guadan with 40+ years experience
- We uniquely blend traditional Japanese martial arts with Hawaiian cultural values
- Our family-friendly environment allows intergenerational training for parents and children
- We maintain international Aikido affiliations while preserving local tradition
Services
Aikido Classes
Our Aikido classes teach traditional Japanese martial arts techniques focusing on energy harmony and conflict resolution. Students learn defensive movements that redirect opponents' energy while maintaining personal balance. Classes emphasize both physical techniques and philosophical principles, creating a holistic martial arts experience that builds discipline, awareness, and self-confidence.
Children's Martial Arts
Our youth program teaches Aikido fundamentals and anti-bullying techniques in a fun, stimulating environment. Children learn self-defense while developing confidence, resilience, and respect. The curriculum includes age-appropriate physical conditioning and character development, with opportunities for family training sessions that strengthen parent-child bonds through shared martial arts practice.
Jiu-Jitsu Training
Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program focuses on ground fighting techniques and positional control. Students learn effective self-defense strategies emphasizing leverage over strength. The curriculum includes takedowns, joint locks, and submission holds, with instruction from experienced black belts who integrate traditional techniques with modern competition strategies for practical real-world applications.
Weapons Instruction
Weapons training develops precision, timing, and spatial awareness through traditional Aikido weaponry practice. Students learn safe handling of wooden swords, staffs, and knives while exploring movement principles applicable to empty-hand techniques. This advanced training deepens understanding of Aikido's core principles through weapon-based applications of energy flow and distance management.
Rank Testing Programs
Our structured testing system evaluates technical proficiency and philosophical understanding at each belt level. Students demonstrate acquired skills through formal examinations that assess technique execution, partner interaction, and conceptual comprehension. The program provides clear progression markers while maintaining traditional Japanese martial arts standards for rank advancement.
People
Brandon Ishisaka-Guadan
Chief Instructor
5th-degree black belt with 40+ years experience, grandson of founder Harry Ishisaka, combines technical precision with Hawaiian cultural values of aloha and family in his teaching approach.
Eugene Matsuda
Senior Instructor
4th-degree black belt and direct student of Harry Ishisaka, specializing in Ki development, continues teaching Friday evening classes after decades of experience in traditional Aikido practice.
Mitch Maeda
Instructor
Lifelong martial artist with decades of Aikido experience, brings diverse background in multiple disciplines to teaching, emphasizing practical applications of Aikido principles through varied movement perspectives.
Michael Padilla
Instructor
Combines Aikido instruction with martial arts expertise in Goju Karate and Taijiquan, also serves as assistant instructor for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes while maintaining acupuncture practice at UCI Medical Center.
Jonathan Mendiola
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
4th-degree BJJ black belt with 25+ years experience, lineage from Helio Gracie pioneers, emphasizes technical depth and fundamental principles in grappling instruction for all skill levels.
Questions
What is Aikido and how does it differ from other martial arts?
Aikido focuses on redirecting opponents' energy through circular movements and joint locks rather than striking techniques, emphasizing harmony and conflict resolution over competition.
Are classes available for both children and adults?
We offer separate classes for children and adults, with opportunities for family training sessions where parents and children can practice together in mixed-level environments.
What should I wear for my first Aikido class?
Beginners can wear comfortable workout clothes; traditional Aikido uniforms become available after initial trial sessions for those who continue training.
How does the belt ranking system work?
Our structured testing system evaluates technical proficiency and philosophical understanding at each belt level, with formal examinations assessing technique execution and conceptual comprehension.
Do you offer weapons training as part of the curriculum?
Yes, we provide traditional Aikido weapons instruction including wooden swords, staffs, and knives to develop precision, timing, and spatial awareness through weapon-based applications.
What makes Orange County Aikido unique compared to other dojos?
We uniquely combine traditional Japanese martial arts discipline with Hawaiian 'Aloha Spirit', creating a welcoming environment that emphasizes family values and community bonds.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Issgman
Aug 23, 2021
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Fantastic Aikido dojo with a deep rooted history. I spent many a remarkable year being molded by the highest quality instructors or sensei. But, lately I've been receiving acupuncture care for better health and protracted back issues. Sensei Michael provides caring and intensely remarkable acupuncture treatments that....work!
Leonard P.
Nov 01, 2017
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Finding and being part of this dojo has been a blessing for me and my family. Each of teaching staff (Senseis/ teachers and Sempais/ senior students) are very skilled, warm, welcoming, and has impressive teaching method, not to mention extraordinary patience. The learning atmosphere is safe, family friendly, and most importantly fun. All volunteers staffs each displays dedication of the aikido martial arts; and, this dojo being non-profit is rare traits these days comparing to any type of family activity which often prioritize profit. This aikido dojo has helped bring a fun, healthy, and safe
Nicole J.
Oct 31, 2017
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This place is the best! The sensei's are so wonderful with the kids and very instructional for the adults. Don't waste time or money going anywhere else!
Kevin B.
Apr 05, 2017
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Having practiced the art 25 years ago, I was always interested in returning to it. I had followed OC Aikikai for a couple of years (back before they moved to the current address on Katella), and while the cavalcade of yudansha (senior teachers) has changed over the years, the obvious love of their dojo's history, intense dedication to the art and the level of quality have not diminished over time (the dojo's founder, Harry Ishisaka, opened the doors in 1964). I have been actively involved with the dojo for the last three years, after enrolling my grandson (started at 6 yrs old, now
M. L.
Jul 02, 2016
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My child has been at the dojo for several years now. He enjoys coming to class and learning from the various instructors. Each offers something different and all are very professional and caring. All the instructors are certified and volunteer their time so you know they really enjoy teaching aikido. We enjoy the family aspect of the dojo and they are welcoming of newcomers. Now that my child has been practicing aikido for a while he is happy to be in the intermediate/advanced kids class as well as learning how to work with the wooden sword and staff, aka "jo" stick. If you are
Mary M.
Oct 10, 2015
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My 12 year old daughter joined Aiki Kai Aikido less than three months ago. She has really enjoyed her training experience and interaction with the instructors, The instructors are genuinely interested in the children and their experience, and they all have a calm and positive manner in which they teach the children's classes. She has participated in classes with all of the instructors, and has had a very consistent excellent experience. The instructors cover skill building in the children's class that is easily applicable to everyday life: how to maintain focus; how to not be overly impacted
Kitizzle T.
Jul 12, 2013
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Perhaps the bar was set very high when studying at the NY Aikikai, but I found the several classes I attended lacking effective technical expertise and the curriculum scattered. The budo was very light. There are 4th kyu level students teaching improper technique to other students....very dangerous. I hate to say all this stuff about it, because I believe Aikido means different things to different people, however, I feel it's my duty to inform students serious about studying aikido as o'sensei taught it to decide for themselves. If you're looking to get a little work out, then
