Aikido RVA Beginnings

Aikido Rva was founded in February 2005, in Ashland, Va by Shihan Jerome Legions, Senseis Larry and Mark Combs to provide a second Wadokai dojo in Metro Richmond, Va. area in order to provide additional opportunities for those interested in studying  Suenaka-Ha  Tetsugaku-Ho Aikido.

Originally, Aikido Rva was named Wadokai Aikido Ashland.  The decision behind this name was to illustrate our
dojo’s affiliation with Wadokai Aikido, the style of self defense we practiced and our geographical location.  The name was later changed to Aikido Suenaka-Ha Ashland with the purpose of giving the type of martial art we are practicing  prominence, followed by they style of aikido as well as incorporating the town of Ashland.  The current name, Aikido Rva came about due to re-location out of the Town of Ashland as well as the need to keep it simple.

The vision of Aikido Rva’s dojo is to be a training hall where people find value in the principles of Aikido as well as their fellow aikido practitioners .  Our classes provide a great workout as well as being a lot of fun. Although classes at Aikido Rva are fun please know that we take practicing Aikido as a form of self defense very seriously.  We practice so that if you need to use these techniques in a self defense situation your training will serve you well.

Another important aim of  Aikido Rva is to carry the Aikido spirit beyond our dojo walls and into the community through community service projects.  The goals of these projects are designed to create a sense of commonality, tolerance and cooperation within our community.