Updated Aug 2026: 

Late summer and early fall are bringing several excellent opportunities to train with the broader Aikido community.

On August 29, Bozeman Aikido senior instructor Leif Summerfield will teach a one-day intensive at Mountain West Aikido in Livingston as part of the "Aiki Secrets Series".While Leif feels the only true secret is years of quality practice, the workshop will explore the relationship between paired weapons practice and empty-hand Aikido, with an emphasis on distance, timing, intent, structure, and receiving pressure.

The following weekend, September 4–6, Bozeman Aikido will host Don Ellingsworth and Julie Tollen for our major fall seminar. Don and Julie bring two complementary perspectives to their teaching, together with many years of direct connection to Saotome Sensei and the Shrine Dojo. Their visit offers a particularly valuable opportunity to train with instructors who continue to carry forward that experience within the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba tradition.

Keep up to date with regular class times through our schedule page. Wednesday evenings are split into two classes: the first is oriented toward beginner and intermediate practice, while the second provides dedicated time for weapons training and more advanced study.

Come Train With Us

Bozeman Aikido is a nonprofit, community-centered dojo offering Aikido classes for people of a wide range of ages and experience levels. Beginners are always welcome, and no previous martial arts experience is required.

Whether you are interested in learning a martial art, developing balance and coordination, exploring the connection between mind and body, or simply finding a supportive community in which to train, visitors are encouraged to come watch a class or step onto the mat and give Aikido a try.

The mission of Bozeman Aikido is to empower and enrich our members and the community through the practice of Aikido.

Our dojo is dedicated to fostering a healthy lifestyle through personal growth, advancement of the art, and collaboration with other Aikidoka.

About Aikido

Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art developed during the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba. Rather than meeting force with force, Aikido develops the ability to blend with an attack, redirect its energy, and resolve conflict without unnecessary injury.

Ueshiba described this principle simply: “To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.”

For additional background, start [here](https://asu.org/student-handbook/aikido-and-the-beginnings-of-asu/).

Bozeman Aikido was founded in 2018 as an evolution of Big Sky Aikido by three senior students under the long-time instruction of Greg Olson Sensei, 6th Dan. The dojo's instructors collectively bring well over one hundred years of Aikido experience to the mat.

Bozeman Aikido is a registered dojo of the [Aikido Schools of Ueshiba](https://asu.org/), founded by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, and is affiliated through ASU with the [Aikikai Foundation Hombu Dojo](http://www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/) in Tokyo, Japan.

New students and visitors are welcome throughout the year.