Aikido's graceful, circular techniques are designed to neutralize aggression without attacking, to control opposing forces by blending rather than opposing. Aikido students study the power of harmony by learning that softness and calmness are not weaknesses; in fact such qualities, along with assertiveness, are the most effective responses one can make to violence and aggression.
The primary goal of Aikido is personal character growth. Aikido's physical techniques will very rarely be used outside of the dojo, but the underlying principles are frequently applicable during daily life's many encounters. By applying Aikido's principles to your daily life, all relationships - individuals, genders, races, economic classes, nations, religions, and between mankind and the environment - will be greatly improved. Daily application of Aiki principles will enhance all relationships, productivity, health, balance and coordination as you become more calm, focused, optimistic, and happier.
Although Aikido's physical movements often look more like ballet than a martial art, it is second to none as an effective form of self-defense and control. Aikido Yoshinkai is used in the training of law enforcement agencies world-wide. It has been required training for the elite Tokyo Riot Police and all female officers since 1964. It is the basis for On Guard Self-Defense and Control Tactics Training System which has been officially adopted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their Officer Safety, Narcotics Investigation, and Anti-Terrorist Training Programs.
Self-Defense seminars are offered by Fox Sensei in Oregon every Spring, with all proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders. Aikido classes are held in Phoenix, Oregon every Monday and Wednesday afternoon and evening taught by Fox Sensei. There is also an adult Aikido class every Friday morning taught by Andy Davis Sensei, who is also the Chief Control Tactics Instructor for the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.
Aikido classes are also taught in Grants Pass, Oregon by Shant Palanjian Sensei (4th dan), at Del Saito's Marital Arts Center.
Aikan Dojo Director and Chief Instructor
John Fox Sensei, the Director and Chief Instructor of the Aikan Dojo, is an Aikido Yoshinkai 6th degree black belt and an On Guard Advanced Instructor with over 37 years teaching experience in cities around the U.S.A. and in Canada. He has been a guest instructor in, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vietnam, Thailand, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.
He has experience in Tai Kwon Do and Shotokan Karate (3 years), Judo (3.5 years), the Progressive System of Martial Arts: Arnis, Kali, Esgrima, Ju Jujitsu, Silat, Sambo (20 years), and was a Sgt. E-5 in the U S Army Infantry in Vietnam (5/68 - 6/69). In Detroit, Michigan, Fox Sensei was the Director & Chief Instructor of the Aikan Aikido Dojo in a low income, high crime, housing project, three days a week, for almost 8 years (6/86 - 6/94). There, he taught Aikido to youth & adults on a not-for-profit basis. During that time, he also conducted several Non-Violent Resolution of Conflict seminars for S.O.S.A.D. (Save Our Sons & Daughters) in Detroit.
My Training History by John Fox Sensei
My Aikido study began under Takashi Kushida Sensei, 8th Dan Aikido Yoshinkai (1981-1990) (Detroit, Michigan, USA). My study under Kevin Blok Sensei, 8th Dan, (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) which began in 1983, continues today. In 1994, Blok Sensei became the Chief Instructor of control tactics at the Canadian Police College, in Ottawa, for the Officer Safety, Narcotics Investigation, and Anti-Terrorists Training programs for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Several times I assisted in teaching these courses. I am a certified Advanced Instructor in Kevin Blok's "On Guard - Control and Defense Training, International". I am a graduate of instructor's courses under Kushida Sensei, 20-month, and under Blok Sensei, 37-month.
Although Yoshinkan Aikido is my base, I have also studied with great instructors of other styles, including the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan (7th dan, AAA, Chicago, Illinois, USA). I was a Certified Instructor in this organization. Other notable senior instructors from other non-Yoshinkai styles that have guided me are: Mitsugi Saotome Shihan (7th dan, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, Washington, DC), T.K. Chiba Shihan (8th dan, USAF, San Diego Aikikai in California), I. Shibata Shihan (7th dan, U.S.A.F., Berkeley Aikikai in California), Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai), Patricia Hendricks Sensei (7th dan), Frank Doran Sensei (6th dan, San Francisco, CA), Andy Sato Sensei (6th dan, AWA, Chicago, IL,), Michael Friedl Sensei (6th dan, Ashland, OR), Darrell Blum (6th dan, USAF, OR), Clyde Takeguchi Sensei (6th dan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Mike Mamura Sensei (6th dan), Maruyama Sensei 7th dan), and F.Y. Takahashi Sensei (6th dan).
Of course, I have studied under the following senior Yoshinkan Instructors: Kiyoyuki Terada Sensei (10th dan), Amos Parker Sensei (8th dan), Kenji Nakazawa Sensei (8th dan), Chida Sensei (8th dan), Kimeda Sensei (8th dan), Karasawa Sensei (7th dan), Ando Sensei (7th dan), Robert Mustard Sensei (8th dan), Steven Miranda Sensei (7th dan) Jim Jeanette Sensei (6th dan), and Herman Hurst Sensei (3rd dan, one of my early instructors). And most importantly, I was able to attend 4 training days with Gozo Shioda Kancho, the founder of the Yoshinkan system. He graded me on my Nidan (2nd dan) examination in 1990.
I have studied with many other fine instructors, below the rank of 6th dan, too numerous to mention. They all offer different perspectives of Aikido. Many of the world problems stem from discounting or even condemning the contributions of others who are not of one’s own tribe.
In 1986, I began an Aikido program for children & adults in Herman Gardens, Low Income Housing Projects, one of Detroit's most troubled areas regarding drugs and violence. As Director, Chief Instructor of the Aikan Dojo of Aikido Yoshinkai, I continued that program in for 8 years (1986-1994). In Detroit, I conducted several Non-Violent Resolution of Conflict seminars for S.O.S.A.D. (Save Our Sons & Daughters). SOSAD was created in Detroit by parents who had lost children to violence. It became a model around the US for other organizations designed to assist in controlling the problem of youth violence in urban environments.
In 1994, I moved to Oregon on the west coast of the U.S.A., re-establishing the Aikan Dojo in Medford & Ashland, Oregon. Today I continue teaching all of our youth & adult programs. For many years I taught 18 Aikido classes a week (8 youth & 10 adult classes) and 2 self defense courses a year.
In Oregon I studied under the late Grand Master Jose E. Bueno in his Progressive System of Martial Arts (PSMA) which consists of Jujitsu, Arnis, Kali, Esgrima, Silat, and Sambo. He awarded me the rank of Shodan in 2011. Long ago, I also studied Tae Kwon Do under the late Grand Master Sang Kyu Shim (9th dan), and Judo under John Osako Sensei (7th dan) each for 3.5 years.
I am Vietnam Veteran, US Army Infantry (decorated), Sgt.E5. My experience in Vietnam & Detroit awoke in me the understanding of mankind's desperate need to find a different way to deal with disputes and violence.
