Welcome to the North York Aikido Club

Please note:

There will be no classes on Saturday, September 4 or
Sunday, September 5, due to the long weekend. Enjoy the holiday!

On the October 23-24 weekend, the J.C.C.C. Aikikai and Aikido Hokuryukai will host the 2010 Annual Ontario Aikido Federation Seminar in Don Mills. The instructor will be Kawahara-shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.  All students should plan to attend.  Please click here for more information.

About Our Dojo

Welcome to the North York Aikido Club/Aikido Hokuryukai website!
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed in the 1920s by Morihei Ueshiba (referred to as “O-Sensei” [Great Teacher]) by Aikidoists.

By practicing Aikido you can:

  • Improve your physical fitness and relieve stress;
  • Learn to discipline and focus your mind;
  • Learn effective self-defense techniques;
  • Learn harmony with yourself and others.

Aikido Hokuryukai has been active in the Greater Toronto Area for nearly 20 years, teaching Aikido as a pathway to self-fulfillment through martial arts.
“Hokuryukai” literally means “Northern Dragon Association.”  It commemorates the “Dragon Spirit” that O-Sensei spoke of as having profound influence on his martial art.

Taking class from Doshu at Hombu Dojo, Tokyo.

Our dojo is a member of the Ontario Aikido Federation which is a part of the Canadian Aikido Federation.  Aikido Hokuryukai is affiliated with the Aikikai / Hombu in Tokyo, Japan, which was established by the Founder of Aikido and is the largest Aikido organization in the world.

Our InstructorsJim and Yumi have taught in the North York area for more than 20 years.

Jim Barnes, 5th dan black belt, has more than 30 years of experience in Aikido. He is a past president of the Canadian Aikido Federation.

Yumi Nakamura is a 6th dan black belt, a shidoin (senior instructor) and has more than 35 years of Aikido experience.

Other instructors at the dojo teach under the supervision of Jim and Yumi.

Our Students

Aikido is a healthful and dynamic martial art.Membership in our club is open to anyone who has a sincere desire to learn, has no health problems that would interfere with — or be worsened by — practice  and is prepared to observe the dojo rules and regulations.

Over the years we have had students coming to our dojo from all over the GTA: Toronto, North York, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Vaughan, Woodbridge, Maple, King City, Scarborough, Markham, Mississauga and other communities.

We offer both Adult and Children’s (5 to 14 years old) classes for the beginners and advanced martial arts practitioners.

Classes in the use of Aikido weapons – the jo (short staff) and bokken (practice sword) are also held.

Come As a guest

Anyone interested in this unique and dynamic practice is welcome to visit our dojo and talk with our instructors and students.

We encourage you to give our dojo a try and see for yourself how fulfilling Aikido can be for your physical and spiritual life.

Please come for a trial class and enjoy the benefits of Aikido first-hand!

Beginners’ classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Kids’ classes are held Thursday and Sunday. See our schedule for more details.

We are located in a commercial plaza at Unit 5, 1110 Finch Ave. W. in North York (Toronto), near Dufferin St. and between Alness and Chesswood.

See our Location page for a map and additional details.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

(c) 2010 Aikido Hokuryukai — all content in this website is copyrighted.