Southern Institute of Aikido

"There are no words to describe the positive changes in the direction of my life given what Sensei teaches. I'm grateful for his friendship and his instruction. If you're interested in learning Aikido, Sensei has a unique approach to teaching this form of martial arts."

"I was One of Sensei’s first students in the rio grand valley. Before meeting Sensei I was a young kid still in school getting into trouble. Lucky for me I met Sensei. Sensei spent almost every day training me one on one until students started arriving. I was lucky enough to go train with his black belts in Laredo on a couple occasions. Able to stay out of trouble the day came I graduated high school. I went off to college in San Antonio Unable to find a job to help pay the bills I became a bouncer on the river walk. I was 19 Years old 150 pounds. Using everything I have learned from Sensei Contreras from the way I walk and presented myself to the techniques I used. I became the head bouncer to a place I wasn’t old enough to enter. I was a bouncer for almost 7 years and have been in every situation imaginable it was Sensei contreras training that kept me safe and more important helped me get where I am today. God blessed me by putting Sensei in my life and I will forever be grateful to Sensei"

"I enjoy teaching and working with all the people in the school,gives me positive energy. Aikido has done just that for 48yrs for me as the public has help me become 6th Don. Thanks to all for this privilege."

"Sensei Contreras is a very skilled former military aikidoist with more than 40 years of martial arst experience, I enjoyed taking the 1st class with him that I basically decided to start doing Aikido instead of BJJ, plus the quality of training given in this school is great because Contreras Sensei gives you personal advice and guides you step by step like in a private leson and you get all of that for 50 dollars per month, no contract nor anual fees no nothing of that because the real art is not for sale, I guarantee that there's entire commitment because he doesn't hesitate in teaching you things that took him decades to figure out by himself in a matter of minutes. My advise to you as a new practicioner is come and join a free class, you have nothing to lose but weight, the benefits outbalance the cost easily."

"I honestly didn't like the place. I was doing fine and such and there was a sense of a friendly environment but when you really look at it and you really get to know the place, it doesn't feel so good anymore. I just didn't like how I was treated there and I didn't like how it felt that I wasn't learning anything. I didn't really feel like I could ask any questions because I was constantly met with a, "just do the technique" kind of feel. I left and I joined another school since then and I honestly feel like I've learned more elsewhere than I did here."