Aikido dojo opens in Lloyd Building
Aikido is a martial art of Japanese origin that can be practiced by the whole family according to James Landry, one of its leading local practitioners.
Landry, who has spent much of his life in pursuit of excellence in Aikido, heads the Aiki Institute of Spokane and is the chief instructor for the Roshinkan Aikido Dojo.
The dojo is located in the recently renovated Lloyd Building at 2209 N. Monroe St. Owner Mark Agee has restored the building’s apartments and street-level business spaces after fire gutted it.
As for the whole family participating, Landry is prepared to offer instruction to both men and women of all ages. “We offer classes for children as young as 6 years old and have students well beyond retirement age practicing …,” he said.
Aikido is noted for its “very natural movement,” Landry said, adding that it does not require great strength or youthful vigor. He stresses that Aikido is self-defense, a natural form of exercise, both physical and mental.
“In Aikido you can go at full speed, full contact and walk away from an encounter,” he said.
Landry, who said he is delighted with space he occupies in the restored building, had a grand opening early in December and now offers classes six days a week with sessions in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.
As chief instructor of Spokane’s first full-time professional dojo, Landry has spent recent years as uchi seshi (personal live-in student) to gain intensive high level instruction in Chicago.
Landry, who graduated from Shadle Park High School, first became interested in Aikido while working in Seattle. As his interest grew he decided to seek the highest level of instruction available and moved to Chicago. He brings 20 years of Aikido experience home to Spokane.
Landry succeeds Roger Mosconi, who founded the Aiki Institute of Spokane in the 1990s. The local institute will be associated with the Akido World Alliance and thus will be able to apply testing standards and rankings through the alliance, Landry said.
Periodic instructional seminars taught by members of the AWA technical committee and other high-ranking instructors will be offered, Landry said.
Interested students can attend as many classes as they find possible, Monday through Friday, for a single monthly fee, Landry said, adding that complete information may be obtained through his comprehensive Web site, Aikispokane.com.