I'm Jerod Mason. I joined Matt Bridi Sensei's class in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago. Until my first class I had zero experience with Aikido. Although, I've wanted to practice it forever.

I come from a small town in Louisiana where it wasn't available. I've trained off and on in Shotokan Karate for years but, apparently, it did little to prepare me for the rigours of a Aikido class. Intense isnt a strong enough word. I'm not a very athletic person but I am dedicated. My first goal is to be competent enough that I can survive a seminar with Lia Suzuki Sensei when she comes next month.

Welcome, Jerod! Good to see you here on the Virtual Dojo! And looking forward to meeting you in the REAL Dojo next month! 🙂🥋

Hi, I'm Marc. I started training Aikido in 2007 as a Freshman in college. Despite moving many times and being on the road for my career, I've always had Aikido to be a rock in my life.

I'm currently based out of New Jersey, but I plan to move to Hong Kong once I graduate my grad school, and I hope to have a dojo in the future!

Great to meet you all,
Marc

Welcome, Marc! Glad to hear see you here on the virtual dojo for him. And I’m very excited to see the next video project when it’s completed!

Hi. I didn't realise there was a forum! That is very nice. :) Though I see it's not all that active let me just introduce myself anyway. I'm Sarah, I started aikido a little less than a year ago in the Koreatown dojo. Now I am training in a dojo in the Netherlands. I started out slow, but I may have become a little addicted by now! I love watching the videos on here to keep in touch with the style, come to new insights and hear all of those great stories (I do have to admit to missing the storytelling aspect of practice a little.)

I look forward to visiting LA again in the future and to meeting everyone :) Have a great day, Sarah

Excellent! Looking forward to seeing you soon!