Reviews of Toyama Ryu Iaido

I have been studying Martial arts or many years and have been with this dojo for over 2 years. Sorenson Sensei always keeps dojo fees very low, just enough to keep a roof over our heads and purchase some supplies. He doesn't teach for the money. I like the friendly nature of the classes and always learn something new. Because the dojo is directly tied to the main school in Japan Sorenson Sensei often receives updates and information.

Due to health problems I am unable to attend normal classes, so I train in private with Sorensen Sensei and will tell you to do this if normal class day do not meet yours :P I have trained in muso jikiden eishin ryu and kendo and have enjoyed this school just as much if not more. We focus more on the live blade cutting skills and I have learned a lot of Japanese etiquette and samurai culture.

Jake Sorenson Sensei is an excellent teacher - a very good, serious martial artist who learned at the main Toyama Ryu dojo in Japan. He is a patient and enthusiastic teacher. Sorenson Sensei has the dedication to keep students focused on gaining the basics that make the movements effective, rather than simply indulging in flashy techniques.

Classes cover everything from kata through partner sparring exercises through disarming techniques and other interesting skills. I enjoy the friendly but focused atmosphere.

Toyama Ryu Iaido is a more practical sword fighting style than most Iaido styles. Instead of an extensive series of seated movements, Toyama Ryu tends to prefer standing or walking kata and streamlined, centered motions.

I've been attending this class for about a year now. Tuition is very affordable, and Sensai knows his stuff. He's trained since he was about 8 and studied many different sword styles in depth. He has also studied under the Shihauns in Japan and his class is registered as a division of their school in America. We even have the opportunity to train with the Shihauns when they visit America. One of them is planning on visiting Utah next spring! I'm very excited.

Discipline is about what you would expect for an American school. We do push ups for tardiness, misbehavior or silly mistakes, but overall he goes pretty easy on us as long as we know what we did wrong.

-We do strength exercises like horse stance and a few different kind of arm strengthening routines (since we are handling the bokken a lot.)

-We learn the modern Kata for Iaido as well as some applicable ancient Kata, disarming moves for when you have no sword and we're going to be starting on our second weapon soon. :)

-We learn the parts of the sword and bokken and how to tell a quality Japanese sword from a knock off.

-We learn Japanese words for things we do in Iaido.

-We spar and practice applying the Kata to actual combat.

-We wear the traditional uniform with a Hakima or if you don't have one a regular gi is fine.

-We bow in and out each day as part of class.

I really hope that you can join us.

The school is very small, but has direct ties to Japan. The teacher was very knowledgeable and took the time to help every student learn at their own pace. Unfortunately, I had to move away for a deployment with the Marines, but would study with Sensei Sornen again in a heart beat.