Adult Program
Classes 7 days a week for beginner and advanced students. A welcoming atmosphere, led by chief instructors Peter Bernath Sensei and Penny Bernath Sensei.
Kids Program
Year-round classes and school break camps for ages 5+. Our exciting curriculum incorporates self defense, personal development, and mindfulness.
About Us
A community dedicated to studying Aikido for self-defense and personal development through the integration of mind, body and spirit.
News & Events
Fun, energetic, and educational! Two Aikido classes per day, meditation, Japanese, crafts, games, and more!
$100 Intro Package for Adults
Little Samurai Aikido classes for 4 year olds on Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
Private classes for kids, teens, adults, families, or groups
Read Penny Sensei's interview about Aikido and Florida Winter Camp.
Learn the fundamentals of safe falling strategies. Develop strength, balance, falling skills, and confidence.
Photos and videos of Florida Winter Camp 2024, featuring Osawa Sensei and the USAF Technical Committee.
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This an excellent dojo. The facility itself is great, with a large open space that helps the training flow. Thete are classes available everyday (morning, afternoon and evening) which makes incredibly convenient and on top of that you have great Senseis. It is really an incredible opportunity to train under the tutelage of Peter and Penny Bernath sensei.
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Absolutely the best experience! My children have both taken martial arts previously. I have a background in several martial arts disciplines, however Akido, and in particular this Akido studio is very special!! I highly recommend Akido Florida Aikikai.
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My son has been taking classes, attended summer camp, now winter camp. The program is amazing. The instructors are so truly kind, patient, and loving toward the children. I have 4 kids who have been in numerous programs through the years, never have I experienced such an amazing program and group of people. Highly recommend!
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Huge mat and clean facility. Peter Sensei and Penny Sensei are the best. Train with incredible talented teachers who have oodles of experience in a family friendly environment. Most established Aikido dojo in SE United States with most direct lineage to Hombu and O Sensei.
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Our special needs daughter has spent 3 summers at Florida Aikikai. She has earned every stripe and every belt. Helen Sensei, Keith Sensei, Darius Sensei, Marisa Sensei and Julia Sensei run a beautiful Dojo. Thank you to all of you for all you do!
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Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei offer an amazing training opportunity for anyone who is interested in Aikido. Having two Shihans in a single schools gives students a rare opportunity in itself but having a male and female perspective at a Shihan level is an absolute gift for those that can attend their classes.
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I could not have asked for a better place to train! The people I train with here have become extended family.
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One of the best Dojos that I have ever trained. It is a luxury be under Peter and Penny Bernath teaching. The space and the tatami are perfect, and I can bring my kids with me while I train, which is a huge plus after becoming an aikido mother!
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My son has been studying at the Florida Aikikai dojo for over 2 years now, it’s perfect for him, sensei Helen is AMAZING with kids, my son was a bit shy and she managed to coerce and involve him in all of the activities, and kept him interested and growing. He is now a mid belt and proud of every stripe and belt.
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Very easily one of the best dojos in the country. I have trained all over the US, and Florida Aikikai is one of the few dojos that gets top marks in all categories. Peter Bernath Shihan provides some of the highest caliber instruction I have encountered that is always clear and consistent, and all the instructors do an excellent job meeting those high standards. The senior students are always very friendly and welcoming, and the the dojo as a whole has a friendly family-like atmosphere. You will quickly feel right at home here.
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I’m as thrilled as my son is that he’s back for another summer at the dojo–the best, most caring instructors and staff give these kids an awesome, safe, fun and creative summer with a balanced mix of martial arts, games and arts and crafts.
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Florida Aikikai offers high quality instruction and training. I’ve been training in Aikido for 47 years and feel fortunate to now be with Florida Aikikai. I continue to be inspired by the skill and leadership of Shihan Peter Bernath and Shihan Penny Bernath. Men, Women, young and old train joyfully together at this dojo.
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This is an amazing school with awesome instructors, and friendly people. People of all ages and skill levels train here. The facility is clean and well organized. The fees are very very reasonable. I absolutely recommend this place….
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So lucky to live near one of the best Aikido dojos in the US… The dojo is beautiful, people are amazing, and the instructors are second to none… People often stop in when traveling from around the world just to be able to train under Senseis Peter and Penny… The kids classes and camps are awesome too – my kids love it!
$100 ADULT INTRO PACKAGE
- 4 weeks of unlimited classes
- Free uniform
- Free seminars in your first year
- New students only
- Membership begins on the day of your first class.
What is Aikido? Although the roots of Aikido technique reach back into the fighting styles of feudal Japan, present day Aikido is the creation of a remarkable man, O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. O Sensei studied a variety of traditional martial arts and became one of the most renowned martial artists of his day. He was a deeply spiritual man and came to understand that ultimate victory came from not fighting at all. He saw that by manipulating and harmonizing with an attacker’s movement, destructive violence could be avoided. In this way Aikido became a physical expression of his spiritual beliefs.
The essence of all Aikido technique is spherical motion around a stable, energized center. In Aikido you learn how to blend with the motion of an attack, redirecting assailants’ movement and taking them off balance. Properly executed, techniques can send opponents flying through the air or immobilize them on the ground. Ultimately, it is the energy of the attack itself which brings down the attacker.
Benefits of Aikido
Body
Aikido is fully-body exercise that builds strength, stamina, flexibility, agility, balance, and coordination.
Mind
Students learn to stay calm and focused under pressure. Training fosters improved attention, self-awareness, and emotional stability.
Spirit
The philosophy of Aikido can be used to cultivate harmony and to overcome conflict in everyday life.
Community
Our dojo is made up of people from many different backgrounds, training together in an environment of mutual trust and respect.