Started in 1986 as Seidokan Aikido of St. Louis, the Aikido Institute of Mid-America is the second oldest Aikido Dojo in the greater St. Louis Area. It has been at its' current location since 1989.
Through sincere, committed practice, the Aikidoka discovers how to be fluid and powerful. They discover that size and age do not make a difference. What truly matters is their spirit.
Our doors are open to all wishing to study the Art of Peace. AIMA provides a full program in Aikido Arts, Philosophy and Daily Life Applications for all levels of skill and interest.
There are no contracts. Your first month's fee is your registration fee. You are not required to buy a uniform until after your third full month of training.
Sensei Richard Harnack, Rokudan, Shihandai Seidokan Aikido, is the Founder and Chief Instructor of the Aikido Institute of MidAmerica. Harnack, Sensei, started his training in Aikido with Ace Atkinson, Sensei, of Riverside, California in 1976.Harnack, Sensei, began training with Roderick Kobayashi, Sensei, who at that time was the Senior Shihan for Ki Society International in the US. Harnack, Sensei, was one of the early supporting instructors when Kobayashi, Sensei, chose to form the first wholly American Aikido organization in 1980 - Seidokan Aikido.
Harnack, Sensei, started teaching Aikido in 1978 in Claremont, California, where he continued teaching up to his move to St Louis, Missouri, in October of 1985. In early 1986, Harnack, Sensei started teaching Seidokan Aikido in St. Louis and continues to do so.
Harnack, Sensei, in addition to his teaching of Seidokan Aikido, also teaches Chinese and Japanese History and Philosophy as an adjunct faculty member of Lindenwood University, St Charles, Missouri. He is also a member of the M.K. Gandhi Institute of Non-Violence in Memphis, Tennessee.
At present, Harnack, Sensei, is writing a book, which seeks to combine the principles of Seidokan Aikido and the principles of non-violence, developed by M.K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Aikido Institute of Mid-America is located in Maplewood, Missouri, a suburb of St Louis, on the corner of Manchester Rd (MO 100) and Yale Ave. Click here for a map of our location.
Aikido Institue of Mid-America
7167 Manchester Rd
Maplewood, MO 63143
Phone: (314) 647-0903
Email: aikima@att.net