Reviews of Pack River Aikido

I've been a student at the Pack River dojo for about 8 years. The setting and the dojo are worth visiting alone. I love the warm up as much as anything; a combination of basic stretching, yoga, and some Tai Chi as well. Then we get on to hand to hand and weapons training. The focus is on using a soft touch. Harmony rather than conflict.

As exhausting as it can be, I find it to be my anchor for my week.

I had the pleasure to train for a time with Sensei Thorell. I was very pleased to find such a big man so gentle, sensitive, and generous. A very athletic and capable teacher who combines the old (tradition)and the new (video review). Sensei used the time of dressing into uniform for class as we chatted casually, catching up with each others week before class he would play a tape of his instructor or some other instructor and we would watch, The Japanese call this kenkan, (watching training), and I thought it was instructional and a very good use of our time just before class. Sensei did lots of repetitions on a technique, so it was satisfying to have the time to get it smooth and interesting and notable to me that we flowed very nicely (naturally) sometimes into a different technique "by accident" and then made use of the natural change to drill on the new technique. Those natural changes on the fly so to speak is what felt to me as the “divine” techniques O'Sensei talked about, techniques that came from the spirit realm resolving the energies of the interaction. Sensei also taught us some Tai Chi to cool down and refocus our energies near the end of class, I enjoyed learning that as well. Finally class was wrapped up with a relaxed sit down and review of thoughtful verses to meditate upon from a dear training partner and friend of Lenny Sensei. I highly recommend anyone interested in the softer side of the martial arts world to enjoy the loving harmony energy way practiced at Pack River Aikido. Grace, Mercy and Peace be with you Sensei Thorell, I look forward to training with you again, God willing. Love Don.