In searching for a dojo to try martial arts at, I was initially drawn to CRAikido by their many accolades, which have proven to be well deserved! Each sensei, with their unique educating style, balances academic technique with practical application, facilitating a well rounded training experience. The dojo’s commitment to integrity and transparency is very evident in all aspects of communication, membership and training.The community here is a collaborative environment made up of truly wonderful, helpful and intriguing people! A downplay of status according to rank/experience makes for a safe and empowering place to train. Whether it’s your first ever martial arts class or you’re a high ranked practitioner, you will be treated with the same level of respect and have the same access to all information. Attending Castle Rock Aikido is consistently a highlight! It is a wonderful place to learn and explore biomechanics, physics, philosophy, history, ethics, logic, tradition, spirituality, etc as taught through Aikido, Jodo and Iaido.

Castle Rock Aikido has the best instruction I have experienced in my lifetime learning martial arts. Techniques and principles are explained in detail and thoroughly with hands on training. A great place to work on your mind, body and spirit connection. CAPTAIN Steve Sharkey, USN (ret)

I’ve been going to Castle Rock Aikido for six months now. Since I started in August 2020, I have only seen my fellow students with masks on. The dojo has taken COVID precautions seriously, and I have never felt unsafe during class.The highlight is definitely the people, from fellow students to the sensei instructors. When you’re new, everyone is your teacher, and Ive found all to be gracious and accepting as I learn.

I have been a student for about one year and really enjoy the school and the instructors. There is a good mix of experienced and new students, young and old, male female, tall and short that makes the classes interesting. Everyone is very helpful and friendly and it makes for a good time. The instruction is top notch and remarkable with how they can instill tiny movements that produce tremendous results. For someone like myself in my mid-60s this has helped my core strength, flexibility and balance.

High quality aikido instruction. Friendly and dedicated people.

Ive been attending the iai classes for a little over a year now, and can honestly say its one of the highlights of my week. The community is close knit, feeling more like a family instead of a group of strangers. The instructors are top notch, really invested in their art and making sure the students receive the best instruction based on their skill level. The school even manages to invite instructors from across the country, providing opportunities to learn different arts, see different styles and just have fun. You dont want to pass this up!

Ive only been going here for a few weeks now, but I already love it. I have absolutely no martial arts experience, and was really nervous before my first class. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and friendly, and the more advanced students (which is everyone) are so great about walking me through the techniques even when Im not getting it. The atmosphere and instruction are great, and its much more of a workout than I was expecting. Highly recommended!

Bring your teenager here! This is an incredible program. Staff are dedicated to teaching and making each student feel welcome and empowered. Strong technical elements yet my son is never bored or uninterested because it is equally fun and exciting! We LOVE Castle Rock Aikido!

The combination of knowledgeable instructors of varied backgrounds, the martially practical focus of the instruction and a student population that is serious about their Aikido and enjoyable to train with makes CRAikido a highly recommended dojo.

Beautiful dojo. They bring in guest instructors from all over the country as well as having outstanding local instructors. They teach to all levels and make new students really welcome and comfortable. I really enjoy the adults only atmosphere. This is a fun place where students truly are excellent to each other!

One of the best seminars I have ever attended. The people (leaders and attendees) made the difference. Great interaction. I learned a lot.

I transferred in from another dojo in Denver and was quickly impressed with the breakdown and instruction of the art. All of the instructors are highly knowledgeable and bring a different point of view. Aside from the excellent instruction, the rest of the students helped make the change an easy one. The facilities, the students and the instructors are all part of the reason I changed to Castle Rock Aikido, and part of the reason I continue to come back.

I attended Joseph Verville Sensei seminar, was amazing. Plus CR aikido team was friendly and great to practice with.Looking forward for the next! Gracias.

The staff at Castle Rock Aikido is very experienced and patient. It is an ideal learning environment for students of any age or experience level. Every night I learn something new, even when practicing basic moves. The other students are like friends and family!

I would encourage anyone to give this school a try. No matter what your prior experience is with martial arts this school will not disappoint. The art itself is amazing, and this dojo is a testament to Aikido. The facility is clean, comfortable, and perfectly suited for Aikido. The instructors (Sensei) and fellow students provide an excellent atmosphere. If you a looking for your first or 10th martial art, I would highly recommend Castle Rock Aikido!

My experience at Castle Rock AIKIDO has always been a positive one! There is great energy and and unspoken sense that we are here to help people, not hurt them.The atmosphere is light and you can tell everyone there is having fun and learning at the same time. Its a win/win situation.Their instructors make training interesting with there own style. I highly recommend this school to anyone who is thinking about learning Aikido.Jason CraigShodan

A very fun and friendly place to learn martial arts. Castle Rock Aikido has two excellent instructors who keep the classes interesting and fun every time. Very friendly people and overall a fantastic place to learn and train.

This martial arts dojo is the most ego-less place I have ever trained. I have been a part of dojos in several states and countries, and Castle Rock Aikido is one of the most welcoming and supportive places I have ever trained. Whether you are a beginner in one of the many programs offered or a veteran, you will find your place here.

I am so jealous of all of you in CO. Matt was one of my sensei at HKA in PA. We miss him. He is a quality martial artist and teacher. The breath of his knowledge and interpretation of martial arts is beyond his years. He started my transition out of karate technician toward martial artist, a lifelong journey. His ability to see what his students need and guide them is phenomenal.

I have been attending Iaido classes for a month now and I cannot be any more pleased with my progress. The instructors are incredible and very supportive and the atmosphere is extremely peaceful. I would recommend this dojo to anyone who wants to take up Iaido and aikido classes.

Ive been a member of the Dojo for about two years now and absolutely love the welcoming and fun atmosphere it provides! The instruction is top-notch and the no-contract fee system is particularly appealing. New students are VERY welcome and made to feel right at home from the start. I cant recall ever having attended a training session in which I havent laughed and had fun! Every student progresses at their own pace and there is absolutely no pressure to attain rank or move faster than you are comfortable with. Love this Dojo!

Matthew is a incredibly talented martial artist and a excellent teacher. He can take concepts that are normally difficult and translate them to a level where we can all understand it.

I have been a member at Castle Rock Aikido for over 4 years and I highly recommend this school. The wonderful aspect of this school are that there are two highly qualified, excellent teachers allowing students to learn different skills and perspectives about Aikido. The school is run with a great deal of integrity and it is also a great deal of fun. Thank you so much for having this wonderful school!

I am new to the dojo but my experience thus far has been more than stellar! All the students are always extremely friendly. Some of which are national champions and that gives me even more motivation to be my best. And respect for the dojo knowing they have trained champions. The dojo is very well maintained and all communication with staff has been top notch. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to train in Japanese martial arts!

Amazing place! Aikido is much more challenging then I expected however Castle Rock Aikido is more than I expected, and has made my expereince nothing but amazing. I am very humbled by my experience and the people associated, every single person I have encountered has been nothing more then patient and helpful in my learing experience. I would be happy to talk to anyone who is interested in joining.

I practice Kendo at Castle Rock Aikido and I love it. It is the best learning experience for martial arts that I could ask for. Every one is very friendly there and I always look forward to going as it is so much fun. Plus I get a great workout when I go so that always helps too. Over all this is the best Dojo I have been to!

We enrolled our 13 year old Granddaughter in Castle Rock Aikido several weeks ago and I cannot say enough nice things about the company and the employees. Sean, the owner, is one of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting and is an outstanding instructor.Our Granddaughter loves to attend the classes and always comes home excited to tell us what she has learned.The students all respect each other and there are separate classes for teens and adults. Aikido teaches self defense but it is so much more. Self respect as well as respect for others are the core of Aikido . Aikido also teaches self-confidence as well as physical conditioning and much of what is learned is actually a philosophy that can be used throughout ones life.I have watched several classes and I am amazed at the quality of instruction. Each student receives both individualized instruction as well as being able to practice with other students.The Teachers are very involved and the safety of the students is a priority.Many people who practice Aikido stick with it for life. There is no end to what can be learned.The classes are very reasonably priced and sometimes there are guest instructors who will come to the school and teach classes.You can’t go wrong with Sean and his fine company, Castle Rock Aikido. .

Castle Rock Aikido has a welcoming and friendly environment. They have two instructors that have different, yet complimentary, styles. The dojo also brings in guest instructors every quarter for day long seminars. Because of this you learn that there isnt a single right way to do a technique; there are many right ways. If youre looking for a dojo with a supportive students and knowledgeable instructors then look no further. Its truly a great place to train.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the jo nage seminar at Castle Rock Aikido with Joel Nakamura-sensei. The industrial, storefront facade of the building belies the simple, yet traditional, training hall within...all the trappings of a first-rate dojo! The lighting and acoustics were more than adequate to see and hear the guest instructor, and the ample mat area allowed us to train safely in groups large and small. The Castle Rock Aikido staff accommodated attendees graciously, and the dojos regular students exemplified the spirit of aikido in their manner of training. Thanks for a great experience, looking forward to the next seminar!

Wonderful place to learn Aikido. All the more advanced students are very willing to make newcomers feel welcome and the owner, Sean Hannon, is awesome; genuinely interested in his students and their success. Kudos to Castle Rock Aikido!

I have been practicing iaido at Castle Rock Aikido since 2011 and have enjoyed every minute of it. Monica Iwakabe is a fantastic instructor who covers not only the actual movements of iai, but the philosophical, historical, and technical background of everything we do. Every time I go to class, I learn something new! Class is both physically and mentally stimulating. Iwakabe-sensei takes time to individually teach based on our different skill levels, and Im very honored to be her student.I have also known Sean ever since I started class. Hes a wonderful peer who is always interested in a deeper understanding of martial arts and encourages a well-rounded learning environment. He runs the dojo like a well-oiled machine - I appreciate his clarity with dojo rules, and how easy it is to sign-up for classes.If youre looking to practice iai, or any other martial art offered at this school, I highly recommend Castle Rock Aikido.

I started studying Aikido in Illinois in high school, fell away while in the army, came back while in college, fell away again, and have been back with Castle Rock Aikido for about a year and a half now. I love the inviting atmosphere and the mix of new and experienced students. The two main and several traveling instructors each offer their own unique flavors of Aikido providing a well-balanced style.

I had the pleasure of attending a seminar with Mary Heiny Sensei at Castle Rock Aikido and it was a great experience. The Castle Rock instructors and members were very welcoming and attentive, providing a great space to train. Id love to visit again.

It has been over a year since I joined this dojo and I have thoroughly enjoyed every class and seminar Ive been able to attend. My fellow students and instructors always make this place fun and enjoyable. As a new aikido student, I didnt want to burden the experienced students or hinder their progress, but everyone was so patient, helpful, and encouraging, creating a great environment for learning and which made me feel so welcome. Very important factors when deciding on a martial arts school include how well the instructors stress safety and mutual respect among the students. The owner and instructors at this school have proven time and time again that they make these factors a priority. Aikido has been a lot of fun and a great way to reenergize the mind. I always look forward to classes, especially when my work days are super stressful!

We were fortunate to attend the September seminar with Mary Heiny Sensei. She is one of the originals, an amazing teacher, and so openly shared her aikido experiences. Sean and Castle Rock dojo are wonderful hosts. The dojo is welcoming, traditional and a wonderful place to train. Thank you.

Castle Rock Aikido is a active and vibrant dojo for multiple martial arts. Resident instructors are tremendous as well as the workshops and seminars they host. Most recently, the very esteemed Mary Heiny Sensei. Not limited to one or two events, students are enriched with annual opportunities to grow and expand their skills and experiences in Aikido.

The atmosphere at Castle Rock Aikido is open, friendly, supportive and comfortable. Everyone is there to learn and the instructors and senior students provide an excellent training environment. The dojo has a LOT of training space and guest instructors are brought in regularly for seminars.No matter whats going on in my day, I always feel excellent after leaving the dojo. I would recommend Castle Rock Aikido to anyone!

In September 2014, Castle Rock Aikido presented an outstanding weekend seminar taught by Mary Heiny Sensei. It was my first visit to this dojo and I was very impressed with the physical space and how well the seminar was organized. The dojo’s teachers and students were cheerful and helpful. It was clear that Castle Rock Aikido is a professional and friendly place that deserves its great reviews. I look forward to a future visit.

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Mary Heiny Sensei Seminar hosted by Castle Rock Aikido in September 2014. Mary Heiny’s charisma, charm, and fortitude permeated the entire event. Ably supported by members of Castle Rock Aikido, Mary Heiny Sensei taught a series of classes filled with wit, wisdom, and martial strength. Her teaching exemplifies the illuminated path spoken of by O-Sensei:Foster and polishThe warrior spiritWhile serving in the world;Illuminate the PathAccording to your inner light.

At the recent autumn seminar in Castle Rock, Mary Heiny Sensei shared eloquent stories about her experiences over decades of intense study. She consistently brought that wisdom alive in even the smallest details as she taught. It was inspiring! We studied posture (the pillar of power!), developing and using center, welcoming ones partner while leaving no openings. Heiny Sensei spoke about and demonstrated how focused curiosity and personal honesty deepen ones practice at the heart of aikido--to make the world a better place by being a better person. We were so fortunate that Sean Sensei and the welcoming members of Castle Rock Aikido made it possible for so many people to come together. Thank you for your spirit and a wonderful setting in which to learn and grow together!

I started with them about four months ago after looking for a dojo that offered something more than just practice. Everyone, staff and fellow students, have been very helpful and friendly. It is a very good atmosphere, conducive to learning, where the entire class practices all of the same techniques, regardless of rank. One of the most refreshing things is the lack of egos that you see in other dojos. The instructors are top-notch and the dojo is run in a professional manner. I would highly recommend this dojo to anyone considering the study of aikido.

I have practiced Aikido for the last 14 years. As a person subject to job transfers I have had to change dojos often with participation at no less than 4 different dojos plus experience at others through seminars - a well-rounded view into different Aikido styles. Castle Rock Aikido combines the best of this past training plus some! It offers GREAT instruction, to include beginning adult and teen classes (something many dojos dont offer), very KNOWLEDGEABLE instructors, an ACCOMODATING schedule, and a WELCOMING environment - you are at home here! As a great benefit, seminars are programmed throughout the year providing the greatest insight into the arena of Aikido. I recommend Castle Rock Aikido - come see what it is all about!

Ive been a member of Castle Rock Aikido for almost 18 months and have several years of experience. Aikido helps me become more centered and relaxed allowing me to progress in both my personal development and martial skills. The friendly and supportive environment at Castle Rock Aikido enables me to continue to improve. The dojo is rather unique in that it has two Sensei. They differ in their respective style and technique but are focused on the same outcome and by learning the variations you become a more well-rounded Aikidoka. I really enjoy the quarterly seminars because they always inject a new perspective into training. There’s no intimidation and new students shouldnt feel awkward; as Sean likes to say, “We were all new students at one point.”

When I first started looking at martial arts schools in area, Castle Rock Aikido and Iaido stood out for me because of their adult only classes, no financial contracts, and informational website. I filled out the form on their website saying I was interested and within a day I was contacted to set up a time to try out a class. The first thing that struck me was how friendly and open the atmosphere was in the class. Everyone truly enjoyed being there and it showed in their smiles and laughter. I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of this school. Two years have passed since that day and I do not regret a minute of it. It has become a time during the week that I can put aside the stresses of work and home life and just enjoy learning Aikido from our wonderful instructors and training with the other students that have all become friends. I find myself looking forward to class during the day and wondering what I will learn that night.I would highly recommend Castle Rock Aikido and Iaido for anyone wanting to train in these martial arts.

When I first moved to Colorado 4 years ago after getting out of the military, I was looking to get back into a martial art. I wanted something more than just a gym to stay in shape. What I found at Castle Rock Aikido was a total mind and body workout. Multiple instructors offered different challenges and viewpoints which strengthened my physical nature and nurtured my philosophy. Over the last several years I’ve practiced skills which have increased my confidence and awareness of fluid motion; on the mat, at work, and even with my family.Castle Rock Aikido’s adult only program offers a safe and mature environment free from ego, but full of fun. Their attractive no contract policy of “we are a dojo first and a business second” has made it possible for me to pause my training, stress free, when nursing a work injury or when my work schedule became to stringent to attend classes for long periods of time.I have recently begun Iaido in addition to Aikido practice. Iaido offers an equally intense mental workout, and a moderate amount of physical exercise in a practice which I can only describe as Zen. I have joked with some that, in practice, it’s much like a Japanese tea ceremony, but you are left with intense etiquette, perfect posture, strong legs and a pretty cool sword - instead of a cup of tea.Whether you are young, or older, male or female, you will find what you are looking for at Castle Rock Aikido and Iaido.

Wonderful people