Aikido Center of Los Angeles

Full disclosure here; I have spent close to a decade involved with Aikido Center of Los Angeles. That said this is purely my opinion:
The purpose of maintaining a traditional atmosphere is less to do with nostalgia or dogmatism and more to do with the mental and emotional aspects of what is experienced through consistent training. Perhaps ironically the appearance of tradition, which some might see as stasis or stagnation, conceals the true purpose of driving an aspirant to change.

Aikido is a young within the history of martial arts (having formed officially as ‘Aikido’, and not a previous name like aiki-​budo, in 1942), yet a visitor would find most Aikido dojos to have a ‘traditional’ or ‘old world’ feel. Aikido Center of Los Angeles (‘ACLA’) is exceptional in this regard, having been hand-​crafted by the late Rev. Kensho Furuya Sensei in conjunction with Japanese carpenters. The old space was, fortunately, able to be moved in large chunks to the current home on Main Street.
Unlike the facades so common in Los Angeles, ACLA offers something authentic. The wood floors have a kind of ‘patina’ that comes from two decades of students washing and cleaning after practice. One-​of-​a-​kind antiques keep watch over practicing students. Collected scrolls, tsuba, and swords reveal a deep love for and education of the Japanese culture.
If this sounds material, that’s not my intent. The purpose of these things is to offer an education to students, and also a concealment of the ‘traps’ within training that push us further along the path. The floors creak and the door chimes… so the teacher always knows where you are. Cabinets and antiques are inches away from the mat… so you must stay aware of your spacing. Touch the wrong thing out of turn and you may be admonished… so you learn to respect your environment and behave appropriately. Everything is real, but not quite as it seems.
Students with a sense of history will be pleased to know that the teachers and teaching in Aikido and Iaido offered at ACLA follow a short line from the founders of both arts.
On the more ‘practical’ matters (Will I get fit? Will these techniques really work in a street fight? How long will it take to become a black belt??)…The answer to all of these is simple: Come observe a class and see what ACLA does, if it seems like a good fit for you then join up, and if you train consistently you’ll quickly receive real answers that go past the superficial (yes/​yes/​20years/​etc).
ACLA is not a gym, it is a community designed around self-​development. If that is not something you are concerned with, you won’t be very satisfied. If you are concerned with affecting the quality of your life and how you live it, there is a mother-​lode of opportunity at ACLA.

Nowadays, those who seek martial arts training as well as those who offer it make a choice about their approach: either the school is a business and thus those who use it become customers, or the school offers a more traditional focus on training and its members are students, who follow the way promulgated by the teacher or leave. Both options can hide traps and extend benefits.
ACLA has held steadfast to its founder’s choice almost 40 years ago to abide by tradition, and the atmosphere of focus and discipline that pervades the dojo feels palpable almost from the moment you enter the high-​ceilinged space, designed to replicate an Edo-​period samurai mansion. The dojo enjoys a sizeable mat area, as well as dressing rooms and rest rooms.
The facility, impressive as it is, pales in comparison to the training in Aikido and Iaido which ACLA students receive. Aikido Chief Instructor David Ito and Iaido Chief Instructor Gary Myers (along with senior instructors such as Ken Watanabe and James Doi) were direct students of Rev. Kensho Furuya Sensei (Aikido 6^th Dan, Iaido 6^th Dan Kyoshi) for at least 20 years each. Their expertise gets shared daily; the dojo keeps hours every day of the week. What’s more, the style and level of training ensures that those who commit themselves to learning the ACLA way will develop into very strong practitioners of these arts.
However, as I said, it’s traditional training. That means: you pay dues not for services rendered but for the chance to learn. You clean up every class after you train. You are not a customer and you are never right. There is no talking during practice and very little tolerated at other times; everyone faces the common expectation that for the next 60 minutes (the length of each class), they will keep their eyes, ears, and hearts open — and their mouths and egos shut.
Many will find this method trying, and that’s because it is. One cannot help but bump into one’s issues practicing in this manner. No one talks about Ki or energy; rather, they focus on technical execution because they have learned that by doing so, you’ll encounter your demons as well as the angels of your better nature, and every class you make the choice either to come back again and build upon lessons learned or decide you’ve had enough.
If this sounds Spartan, it can feel that way. That said, though, the people who come here (teachers and students) have created a place where goodwill and camaraderie abound. They train seriously, but never maliciously. Beginners will work up a sweat, but their seniors take pains to keep everyone safe. And from my experience there I can say that the culture of strict discipline has allowed for deep learning to flourish for those who want it. The only way to find out if you want it, though, is to come and try it yourself. I urge you to do so.
Other relevant facts about the place: plenty of chances to train (open 7 days — weekday evenings and weekend mornings), plenty of street parking, and competitively priced monthly dues instead of a per-​class fee. Children’s classes offered Sunday mornings only; all other classes for ages 16 and above. Weapons training offered to senior students. Interested prospective students may watch certain classes; consult schedule for details.

The Furuya sensei was the best Iaido sensei in the United States. Very traditional training. The instructors are very good and patient. The Iaido class is for adults. They do have excellent aikido classes for children.