Full Circle Aikido North County 4401 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422

"I spent a summer learning from Sensei Stephen before becoming suddenly too sick to participate back when they were in Grover Beach. A friend moved to the area and I recommended them for self defense because all the places they looked won't allow young boys in self defense classes (in 2023, can you believe it?). I suggested Aikido at Full Circle because I knew Aikido at this dojo teaches old, young, male, female, and beyond and a lot of moves I learned as a rookie are for self-defense. I also really appreciated the dojo's positive message and never felt unwelcome or unsafe, even as a thirty-something. So I was devastated to find out they closed down in Grover Beach, but I'm also genuinely pleased that they only moved (It was VERY hard to track down the new studio, though. Should add that info to the old, old site.). Karate kid fans, let me tldr it for you: if you're team Miyagi-do/Larusso, you may like learning defensive Aikido. If you're team Cobra-kai, learning to throw someone is pretty fun and you may eventually learn moves that can cause pain, but it's not taught with the intent to hurt someone, so put that out of your mind. Newbies, you can go in normal comfortable gym clothes like sweats or tights for your first class, but expect to budget for a gi if you'll stick with it. You do need to be fine with being barefoot when you're on the mat, and with coming into close quarters with strangers and grabbing their arms and clothes and shoulders (never inappropriately), and with getting sweaty. Physically, they had everything from (extremely healthy) 90 year old military men and petite teenage girls in my class, but I'd avoid it if you suffer from chronic pain. I can't imagine doing it with my current body. Try it, but be honest with yourself after."

"Great! My kids love it."