OUR HISTORY:

Russ Smith Sensei with Kashiwaya Sensei

Our parent organization, the Rocky Mountain Ki Society, was founded in 1977 by
Chief Instructor  Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei  (8th Dan Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido) in Boulder, Colorado.

Ki-Aikido came to Fort Collins in 1979 when a small group of individuals asked Kashiwaya Sensei for permission to begin practice and open a dojo (school) here. From that humble beginning the school established a foothold in the community and, after some location moves, found a home on campus as a CSU Club Sport in late 1980. CSU students ran the organization on campus while instructors came from our headquarters dojo in Boulder to teach one night a week. Russ Smith provided instruction the other night. The group practised at CSU continually until December 2012.

In January 2013 Fort Collins Ki-Aikido moved into their new location, the Shugyo Training Center. Russ Smith Sensei, now 5th degree blackbelt (Godan) in Ki Aikido with the Ki rank of Joden, is still teaching the classes for more than 30 years.

Over the years, there has been continued energy brought to our organization by a flow of new and sustaining students. We have touched the lives of many people on and off-campus as we continue to share our way, budo, with those of you who enroll in these classes.

Read more in our Student Handbook (pdf)