Welcome to our Center!

Elisabeth Menning Sensei Our center is both a dojo (training hall) and a cultural center. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people deepen the quality of their lives, find better balance in a hectic and demanding world, learn something new, and reconnect and integrate mind, body, and spirit.

"Shugyo" is a Japanese term with no direct translation into English. It can refer to the deepest level of training, where the student takes what they learn "on the mat" into other aspects of their daily lives. It takes energy, mindfulness, dedication, repetition, consistency, and concentration. It may involve intentional, sincere effort to push beyond one's perceived boundaries - or even to be embroiled in a situation which pushes one past these boundaries. It is a stage which usually develops naturally as one stays on a path of discovery.

Likewise, the emphasis in all of our programs is on each art as a practice, a deepening, a self-reflection, a path of self-improvement and of positive change - not just as sport or physical activity. We are fortunate to have connected with instructors with a like mindset and philosophy, even as diverse as the various training paths may appear. And yet each of these progams can be physically intense, provide great exercise, and help one build up a good sweat.

In addition to educating people in northwest Indiana about Japan and Japanese culture, and offering a variety of different practices to help people of all ages deepen and enrich their lives, we hope to reach other segments of the population, such as the older generation (by offering walking space, a community room for playing chess, reading, group activities, etc...) and the younger generation (with hourly, drop-in educational day care during our classes, or in 2012, with a full-time daycare). We will also house an occupational therapy business, which will focus on autistic children (especially age 3-6) and on adults with varying needs.

The facility is an 8400 sf building, and includes several different types of training floors, a fitness center, two classroom areas, an observation and play area, restrooms, changing rooms, showers, small kitchen and laundry facilities, offices, and an occupational therapy room. We will also be offering drop-in, hourly babysitting for people attending classes as well as those shopping in the area.

Weekly introductory and ongoing course offerings include Aikido, Iaido (Japanese Swordsmanship), Kyudo (Japanese Archery), Zen Meditation, Kosho Ryu Kempo, Shotokan Karate, Penjak Silat, Tai Chi Chih, Yoga, Pilates, Japanese Language, Japanese Classical Dance, and Japanese Calligraphy. The introductory courses are offered in 4-, 6-, or 8-week programs, depending on the art or activity. With the exception of one program, there are no student contracts; ongoing dues are paid monthly (with discounts for additional family members, law enforcement, and advance payments). Shotokan Karate is the only program which will utilize 12-month contracts.

In Memory of Shihan Fumio Toyoda

Monthly or quarterly hands-on workshops include a Japanese Culture Series (Chanoyu - Japanese Tea Ceremony, Ikebana - Japanese Flower Arranging, pop culture/fashion, manga/anime, kirie/origami, Japanese cooking, history, and others), CPR / First Aid, Self-Defense, and Martial arts and fitness seminars.

Some classes are offered during daytime hours, others in the evening, and yet others during the days, evenings, and weekends. If you are interested in a particular class, but cannot attend because of the schedule, please contact us anyway. If enough people request a different time we will be happy to try to accomodate.