Aikido of North Georgia


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Dojo Background

Aikido of North Georgia, a Non-Profit Organization, was established by the members of the former Ki-Aikido North Georgia Dojo to continue offering Aikido to the North Georgia community. Upon recognizing the community's desire for Self-Defense training specifically, the group restructured to address these immediately.

The dojo's association went through re-structuring in 2007 as well. Formerly Singer Ki-Aikido, the association has restructured to incorporate Sensei Hal Singer's Self-Defense program under its umbrella as Aikido & the Defensive Arts (ADA).

In 2001, Shihan Singer granted certification to form an Aikido dojo in North Georgia to Mr. Dapogny who studied under the direction of Sensei Hal Singer for 10 years.

Sensei Singer is the former Senior Instructor of the Virginia Ki-Society dojo, which is certified under the Ki No Kenkyukai Foundation, located in Japan. The Ki No Kenkyukai Foundation was established on September 16, 1971 in Japan, founded by Sensei Koichi Tohei, existing today with approximately 200,000 members worldwide.

In 1998, Sensei Singer continued the development of the art by formally bringing his style of Aikido and self defense to the martial arts community in Northern Virginia.

Sensei Singer Background

Master Hal Singer

Shihan Singer, an internationally known martial artist with over 40 years of martial arts experience, held the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo before he began his training in Aikido. He studied Aikido under Imaizumi Sensei (direct student of Moriehi Oeshiba), then Chief Instructor of the U.S. for Ki Society International. Master Singer's background, training, and discipline proved invaluable to the development of the Virgina Ki Society where he was the Senior Instructor for over 20 years. His skill and reputation led to his being regularly called upon to conduct self-defense training seminars for the State Department and other Government agencies. After his tenure as Senior Instructor of VKS, Sensei Singer focused on further development of his martial arts training. As his students continued to study his style directly under his supervision and open new satellite dojos, he received the traditional ranking title of Shihan.