Reviews of Hagakure Aikibudo

***Please note 📝 if you scroll down…You’ll also find BOTH my "3year & 6month review" from when i FIRST started my journey. Which I recommend also checking out, since this will be sorta an “extension” of those two reviews ☺️ and I also “Highly recommend” checking out Mr. Neils review also 🧐 since time of publication he also was a 7year student and held rank of Brown belt after completing testing & Randori attack.

I'm a "7 year student" these day 😅 730 days (2yrs) learning techniques & 260 days weapons. And just recently been promoted to “brown belt” without testing 🤨 yes, you heard me correct….

Long story, short… due to the 2year Covid situation, i was able to train 1on1 with Sensei Joe since we LOST most of the students (95%) out of Fear 😰 and those that did come in, only stayed for a short while. So in sum ways, this BOTH helped my growth and also stumped it at the same time.

Only in the last year, or so 🤔 have we been getting “consistent” students again, willing to train… but NOT to the level that “we” use too, prior to Covid-19. When we took our training, a little more serious 💪 These days, it’s a bit more of a “relaxed atmosphere” is the Best way to put it. Due to it being more “Family” oriented than “single individual” looking for training. Hence WHY weapon training was “removed” from roaster 😞 due to lack of interest from others. Which is sad, since ALL aikido techniques derived from the sword and its understanding how to utilize one properly. So I find it “lacking” to other’s studies, without this knowledge & insight. As well as subject studies, vocabulary and traditional formal wear, has also been kinda lacking too 😅

So with that said 🤔 Sensei Joe is wanting me, to start teaching a class 😱 I’m good with 1on1 teachings 😊 but unsure IF I can “motivate” an entire class 😰 at this point. I guess only TIME will tell…till my Next Review “become the Change you wish to See in the world!”

The Sensei has the biggest heart. I went to view a class with my daughter and when he explained that he teaches the classes for free I was taken back. Nobody does that kind of thing these day. All he wanted in return he said was commit from his students. Such an admirable thing to do for people that can't afford martial art classes and want to learn. God bless him.

As the headline above states. .. I'm a "3 year student" attending the Hagakure dojo. If you scroll down, you'll also find my "3-6 month review" from when i FIRST started my journey into Aikibudo. Which I recommend also checking out, since this will be sorta a extension of that review.

Under the guidance of Sensei Joe, I have grown in many forms over these last passing years. For he really takes a interest in everyone's development progress. And tries to set the lesson plans around individuals that take their training seriously. Because trust me, not everyone does. Don't get me wrong thou, not everyone can handle the conditioning aspects and requirements needed to do this kind of art or ANY art form for that matter. ..

But unlike most other martial arts, Aikibudo is more of a "soft" style with BRUTAL end results, depending on what degree u wish to finish the attacker. That allows you to use your opponent's "momentum & balance" against them. Since your allowing their energy to flow through the attack while using "joint control & pressure points" to control your opponent. Not to mention, we also combine movements & techniques from both Wing Chun and Brazilian Jiu Jitu into our repertoire, in order to be more well rounded martial artist. Plus sensei is very OPEN to new ideas & concepts, to help progression. ..

As previously stated, my prior training was in MMA which was a aggressive full contact/ground control type style art. Were u trained like a Greek Spartan, which I loved doing when I was younger & healed faster. These days I love the philosophy of aikibudo, which if u break it down means your learning "the spirit and harmony of the warrior's way" though Bushido.

Bottomline… I Love training with sensei Joe and everything he has done for me! For i have came a LONG WAY since I first walked through his doors & found his ad on FB about FREE classes. So YES. ..I do recommend making that LEAP of faith, to come out to join us!

This dojo is tucked away and hidden from all the commercial schools that are in the area. The Sensei pays it back to the community by offering free martial training. You will definitely get great one on one instruction and what more can you say it's FREE !!

The students here were great to train with. The Sensei was looked up to all the students and was very knowledgeable. Best kept secret of Spring Hill. Hidden in the leaves.

I would like to say this is the best school I have ever chosen I learn to have self control to have peace of mind and to control my temper this is the best defense class I have learned so much and a little time that I was there I would recommend this class to anybody the Sensei taught me so much and he worked with me did not fight with me he is a good sensei domo arigato Sensei Joe if you join the class you will not regret it I made so many friends they are nice people and they also work with you is also a good workout to stay in shape the Sensei gives us lots of water breaks because we do a lot of hard work they treat us like family and that is what it's all about

The Sensei is an awesome and knowledgeable instructor. He is very patient and making you understand the techniques. All the students are friendly and were very welcoming when zig started. I would highly recommend this school to anybody that wants to learn a self defense. The best part is it’s free!! The Sensei dedicates his time because of the passion he has for the art itself!!

This is an off shoot of Nihon Goshin Aikido, which isn't Aikido at all. It's BS. "Sensei Joe" and his co-founder that no longer trains, promoted each other to Sho Dan, as previously stated. He wears 2 stripes on his black belt, indicating that he is a Ni Dan, but he is not. Any certification you earn from him, isn't worth the paper it's written on. If you are looking for Aiki, go train at Aikido of Hernando county, they are a legitimate school associated with the United States Aikido Federation under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, of the NY Aiki Kai; or go train at one of the other Aikido in Tampa, or Largo, you would be much better off.

Looking for advice on WHY you should give the Hagakure Aikibudo Dojo a chance, look no further. For I'm going to lay it ALL out there for ya and than sum.

I have trained in MMA style fighting when I was younger. But have come to a BETTER understanding that there is simpler ways rather than just using Force to subdue your opponent. And thanks to Sensei Joe, I'm using concepts that are MORE beneficial to me in my arsenal of techniques that can be applied quickly in Real world scenarios & are effective to stop, disarm and remove the threat without much force involved or room needed. That use techniques that twist, bend and break joints, while controlling the opponent through pressure points & using the attacker's own weight/momentum against themselves.

Our training methods are effective, realistic and proven to work BOTH in the dojo & out in the street. They are flexible, adaptable to each situation and simple. Anyone can do it, with NO strength required. And we cover ALL aspects of self defense including traditional weapon training with a bokken & take away/use with a knife/club/bat including a gun as a "last resort" final stand. While learning to become more aware of one's surrounding & how to defuse situations that may arise with multiple-attackers at any given time.

As for Sensei Joe. .. he is not only a Great teacher, but someone you can Respect Highly & stand behind. Since he donates his OWN time to teach ya for FREE of charge, out of his own resources he has put together & obtained. All he ask for is commitment and following through with your choose.

So YES. .. I highly recommend coming & seeing what the Harakure dojo is about.

For its much more than just a dojo, but a organization created to provide a place for people to train, learn, grow and discover new methods. while developing great friendships and achieving amazing things. As both sensei & senior students are committed to pursing self improvement and passing on the techniques to new comers.

As a senior over the age of 55 and suffering from psoriatic arthritis, I would never have imagined that I could learn the system I wanted to learn as a young man. The Sensei is patient and knowledgeable. The techniques are effective and I would feel less threatened in a real life crisis. Hard work and dedication will take you a long way, I have seen a paraplegic student at the dojo that you would not want to attack. In Ashton to the techniques, you also learn the principles and fundamentals that have been upheld since the inception of this system. As this is considered a "soft" style it requires minimal strength and yields maximum effect. There are many wonderful martial Arts systems. I love this system because I'm too old to be out here boxing, wrestling or rolling around on the ground. If I had to defend myself I want it to be quick and easy while sustaining little to no damage. I feel confident enough to resolve a physical conflict in 30 seconds or less with no loss of life.

Sensei has been absolutely wonderful with my teenager. He is patient and kind, but yet firm. I could not ask for a better dojo for him to be at. In the few months that we have been coming, my son has matured so much and has learned so much.

The instructor is great! The students are all friendly and helpful. Awesome place to learn a martial art to defend yourself.

They know their stuff. The environment is formal enough for instruction, but informal enough to feel comfortable. Before attending their classes I had a rudimentary understanding of martial arts, but their approach has been rather enlightening. Just keep in mind that they leave one's progression in her own hands.

Paying attention to technique goes a long way here. They make sure to combine "classical" techniques with real world scenarios and have concise answers to any potential questions regarding them. While occasionally suffering minor blows and slightly strained joints, the school has a focus on safety.

It bothers me that remarks are made which try to strip the dojo of its credibility. The previously referred to documents are for purposes of establishment *within* the dojo. The senseis have obtained *extensive* formal training elsewhere and offer their teachings *for free* out of the passion they have for their art.

BOTH "INSTRUCTORS" ARE FAKE BLACKBELTS WHO PROMOTED THEMSELVES, LOOK AT THE CERTIFICATES,THEY MADE THEM, THEY COME FROM NOWHERE!! B.S ERS!!

street savy !! train there and get yourself killed in a real fight!

Great instructors!! Safe and comfortable learning environment. The dojo is the real thing!!