Portsmouth Aikido and the teaching leadership here are the real deal. It can be hard for people who can’t tell the difference between an “after school business” or a “Mc Dojo” and a genuine martial arts school. Portsmouth Aikido is led by passionate people steeped in knowledge about the traditions, customs, etiquette, and history of aikido. The greatest challenge for people in America is understanding that before we have the privilege to add skills, we have to examine and work on removing weaknesses first. There are no shortcuts to becoming a with person with integrity. Leadership at Portsmouth Aikido are excellent guides precisely this type of journey. Do not miss out.
sofie larsen
Jun 2025
Portsmouth Aikido provides a lovely and safe space where a thriving community of students - adults and children alike - are able to refine their aikido practice. I cannot say enough nice things about this place!
Jonathan Blakeslee
Jun 2025
Portsmouth Aikido is such a great community and dojo to begin or continue your Aikido journey. Sensei Aaron Cass is a gifted teacher and great at working with everyone that steps onto the mat!
Justin L
Jun 2025
My son has been attending Portsmouth Aikido for the past 3 years and I cannot say enough positive things about their martial arts program. He has developed confidence while learning the skills necessary to defend himself with honor. Lead instructor Sensei Aaron is a wonderful teacher who is kind and patient with his students while also ensuring they learn the technical competency required for age appropriate mastery of skills. Kids instructor Sensei Sofie is also amazing with the younger students and I trust both of them with my children, i am very grateful to Portsmouth Aikido and highly recommend them to anyone interested in the art of Aikido, especially kids!
Patricia Trujillo
Jun 2025
My daughter joined last year and loves attending the classes. The instructors are amazing, I have never met so many patient and kind teachers. Her confidence tremendously improved as well as her physical well being. Sensei Aaron has created a place where everyone feels welcomed. I am so happy my family has found this dojo.
Matthew Nania
Jun 2025
My son has been a student at Portsmouth Aikido for over 2 years. He joined the kids program when he was 7, and it's become more than just a class for him; it’s a space where he learns to work with others and push himself. Not only is he training on the physical techniques of the art, but he's also developing self-control, discipline, respect for others, cooperation and leadership, and building his confidence. Classes and instruction are the right mix of focus and fun, and Aaron and Sofie and the entire Portsmouth Aikido team create a positive and structured environment where every child is supported and encouraged to learn and grow. They give students clear goals to work toward and a real sense of accomplishment when they advance. It’s helped our son stay motivated and proud of what he's achieving. I highly recommend Portsmouth Aikido to any parent looking for a meaningful, character-building activity for their child.
Kendra Ford
Jun 2025
Kind and Fierce, attentive and intentional, clear and accessible. I attended the beginners class for adults with my 12 year old. There were many experienced members in attendance at every class who helped us practice. I was so impressed by how dedicated and engaged everyone was. Every person was thoughtful and attentive with my 12 year child who LOVED the class and is eager to continue. There is no sense of domination; everyone is very clear they are still learning which is so welcoming to a beginner. I came to aikido after a dear friend recommended it years ago and it is just what I needed in this moment of great stress in our world.
Sara Rosenthal
Jun 2025
My kids have been attending the kids class at Portsmouth Aikido for about 6 months now, and they love it! It is one activity that they both readily agree to go to. I often stay and watch the classes and am very impressed at how the instructors who lead the kids handle the class with calm respect. They have fun ways to teach the kids real Aikido techniques and always keep the kids engaged. For testing, the requirements are clear and there are practice tests so even the newest members can see what to expect. I highly recommend Portsmouth Aikido!
Adam Hosmer
Jun 2025
Aaron Cass is a talented and caring teacher who thinks deeply about what it means to practice Aikido today. He manages to weave together the internal aspects, which are not always easy to truthfully assess, with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of techniques. He then breaks down each one into understandable and imitable movements, each clearly based in the martial world, but expandable to help people deal with present day concerns outside of physical confrontation. It's a marvelous place to practice with a great group of people!
Trevor Nihan
Jun 2025
This is a very not too strict but very respectful dojo with people who are enjoyable to be around, they are very welcoming to beginners and good at letting you learn at a pace that you are capable of.
Samuel K.
Portsmouth Aikido and the teaching leadership here are the real deal. It can be hard for people who can’t tell the difference between an “after school business” or a “Mc Dojo” and a genuine martial arts school. Portsmouth Aikido is led by passionate people steeped in knowledge about the traditions, customs, etiquette, and history of aikido. The greatest challenge for people in America is understanding that before we have the privilege to add skills, we have to examine and work on removing weaknesses first. There are no shortcuts to becoming a with person with integrity. Leadership at Portsmouth Aikido are excellent guides precisely this type of journey. Do not miss out.
sofie larsen
Portsmouth Aikido provides a lovely and safe space where a thriving community of students - adults and children alike - are able to refine their aikido practice. I cannot say enough nice things about this place!
Jonathan Blakeslee
Portsmouth Aikido is such a great community and dojo to begin or continue your Aikido journey. Sensei Aaron Cass is a gifted teacher and great at working with everyone that steps onto the mat!
Justin L
My son has been attending Portsmouth Aikido for the past 3 years and I cannot say enough positive things about their martial arts program. He has developed confidence while learning the skills necessary to defend himself with honor. Lead instructor Sensei Aaron is a wonderful teacher who is kind and patient with his students while also ensuring they learn the technical competency required for age appropriate mastery of skills. Kids instructor Sensei Sofie is also amazing with the younger students and I trust both of them with my children, i am very grateful to Portsmouth Aikido and highly recommend them to anyone interested in the art of Aikido, especially kids!
Patricia Trujillo
My daughter joined last year and loves attending the classes. The instructors are amazing, I have never met so many patient and kind teachers. Her confidence tremendously improved as well as her physical well being. Sensei Aaron has created a place where everyone feels welcomed. I am so happy my family has found this dojo.
Matthew Nania
My son has been a student at Portsmouth Aikido for over 2 years. He joined the kids program when he was 7, and it's become more than just a class for him; it’s a space where he learns to work with others and push himself. Not only is he training on the physical techniques of the art, but he's also developing self-control, discipline, respect for others, cooperation and leadership, and building his confidence. Classes and instruction are the right mix of focus and fun, and Aaron and Sofie and the entire Portsmouth Aikido team create a positive and structured environment where every child is supported and encouraged to learn and grow. They give students clear goals to work toward and a real sense of accomplishment when they advance. It’s helped our son stay motivated and proud of what he's achieving. I highly recommend Portsmouth Aikido to any parent looking for a meaningful, character-building activity for their child.
Kendra Ford
Kind and Fierce, attentive and intentional, clear and accessible. I attended the beginners class for adults with my 12 year old. There were many experienced members in attendance at every class who helped us practice. I was so impressed by how dedicated and engaged everyone was. Every person was thoughtful and attentive with my 12 year child who LOVED the class and is eager to continue. There is no sense of domination; everyone is very clear they are still learning which is so welcoming to a beginner. I came to aikido after a dear friend recommended it years ago and it is just what I needed in this moment of great stress in our world.
Sara Rosenthal
My kids have been attending the kids class at Portsmouth Aikido for about 6 months now, and they love it! It is one activity that they both readily agree to go to. I often stay and watch the classes and am very impressed at how the instructors who lead the kids handle the class with calm respect. They have fun ways to teach the kids real Aikido techniques and always keep the kids engaged. For testing, the requirements are clear and there are practice tests so even the newest members can see what to expect. I highly recommend Portsmouth Aikido!
Adam Hosmer
Aaron Cass is a talented and caring teacher who thinks deeply about what it means to practice Aikido today. He manages to weave together the internal aspects, which are not always easy to truthfully assess, with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of techniques. He then breaks down each one into understandable and imitable movements, each clearly based in the martial world, but expandable to help people deal with present day concerns outside of physical confrontation. It's a marvelous place to practice with a great group of people!
Trevor Nihan
This is a very not too strict but very respectful dojo with people who are enjoyable to be around, they are very welcoming to beginners and good at letting you learn at a pace that you are capable of.