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Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

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Kevin Choate

A Guide to the Art of Chicago Aikikai

October 25, 2025 By Dwight

Chicago Aikikai must move by June 2026, and its current build is the last one designed by the late Kevin Choate Sensei (Chief Instructor from 1981-2012) with guidance from Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Thus, an effort is being made to document and preserve the history and meaning of all of its art and design elements. A Guide to the Art of Chicago Aikikai has been prepared, and is available to view or download for freeby clicking on the link here.

(First page of A Guide to the Art of Chicago Aikikai shown below)

Filed Under: NEWS & EVENTS Tagged With: Art, Chicago Aikikai, Design, History, Kevin Choate, Mitsugi Saotome Shihan

Syncopated Jo Kata

June 11, 2022 By Dwight

[Read more…] about Syncopated Jo Kata

Filed Under: RESOURCES Tagged With: Jo Kata, Kevin Choate, Marsha Turner, Videos

Primary Sidebar

Chicago Aikikai is located at:

Evenings and weekends northside
3900 North Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Unit 100 – Enter through south door
(Choyokan Kendo Dojo practices at the same building in Unit 200)

Weekday mornings southside
5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd, Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60615
(606 Karate & Self-Defense)

Classes
See Classes page for times. Please call or e-mail to confirm an appointment day and time before visiting.

Travel

Northside

Driving – 3900 N. Elston Ave. is near Addison entrance/exit to I-90/94. Limited free parking in parking lot. Free/Metered parking on streets (Zoning restrictions on some residential blocks).

Public Transportation – Near CTA Blue Line station at Addison (10-min walk) and #80 Irving Park bus stops (East/West) at Irving Park & Elston/Monticello (4-min walk).

Southside

Driving – 5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd. is near the intersection of 53rd St. and Hyde Park Blvd. Metered parking on streets (Zoning restrictions on some residential blocks).

Public Transportation – Near #6 Jackson Park express bus stops (North/South) at 53rd St. and S. Hyde Park Blvd. (1-min walk).

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Aikido

Aikidō is a modern non-competitive Japanese martial art for developing flexible response to situations with a calm mind and relaxed body without relying on size or muscular strength. Today, 1 million people in 130 countries do aikidō for personal interest, physical conditioning, stress relief, and cultural appreciation.

About Chicago Aikikai

Chicago Aikikai is a registered DBA of Illinois Aikido Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 36-2557303

 

Location and Contact Info

Evening and weekend classes held northside at:
3900 North Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
(Choyokan Kendo Dojo practices at the same building in Unit 200)

Weekday morning classes held southside at:
5307 S. Hyde Park Blv., Suite 203, Chicago, IL 60615
(606 Karate & Self-Defense)

Please call or e-mail to confirm an appointment day and time before visiting.

Phone: (312) 870-0687

E-mail: info@chicagoaikikai.org

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