We are a non-profit organization and a member of the United States Aikido Federation under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei.
Our dojo is located at 152 Davis Street, behind the New England Fabrics building.

MONADNOCK AIKIKAI CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY

In December 2009, Monadnock Aikikai celebrated its 25th year of continuous operation under the same leadership. The celebration was simple – class was held.

The dojo recently celebrated another major milestone. Elizabeth Dinowitz, who has been practicing Aikido for over 30 years, was awarded her 6th dan ranking from Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei, 8th dan, of the United States Aikido Federation which is under the auspices of the Aikikai Foundation, Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan.

Elizabeth Dinowitz, 6th dan and lead instructor, began teaching Aikido at Keene State College in 1984, along with her husband, Arnold Dinowitz. Back then, classes were held in the gym under the name of “Keene Aikido Club.”

Ms. Dinowitz and Mr. Dinowitz, who passed away in 1997, began their study of aikido under the instruction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei at New York Aikikai in New York City in the early 80’s. “Liz and Arnie” moved to Surry, built their own home and set out to bring high quality Aikido instruction to the area. In 1986, they purchased the building that now houses the dojo, incorporated as the nonprofit Monadnock Aikikai and began the ongoing yearly process of making the dojo better and better. Currently, the dojo is simple and complete, with wall to wall tatami mats and the traditional kamiza shrine that decorates all Aikido dojos world wide.