AIKI Academy of Self Defense - Connecticut Martial Arts and Fitness

The Aiki Academy of Self Defense, LLC offers a broad range of classes in Martial Arts and Fitness Programs. We invite you to preview our programs and class offerings and to contact us with any questions that you may have.

We offer Powerful Words, developed by Child and Adolescent Development Specialist, Robyn J. A. Silverman, PhD. This program provides a multitude of resources to the families of our school for the betterment of our children.

Russian Kettlebell Program
The Russian Kettlebell is an extreme handheld gym. A kettlebell or girya (Russian term) is a traditional cast iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle. It comes in a variety of sizes from 9lbs to 106lbs and is the ultimate tool for all-around fitness.

The kettlebell replaces: barbells, dumbbells, belts for weighted pull-ups and dips, thick bars, lever bars, grip devices and cardio equipment. Kettlebells are highly effective for building strength, endurance and improving body composition.

The extreme kettlebell workout would have remained the exclusive domain of Russian spec ops, had former Spetsnaz instructor Pavel Tsatsouline not immigrated to the U.S. The elite of the U.S. military and law enforcement instantly recognized the power of the Russian kettlebell, ruggedly simple and deadly effective.

We offer kettlebell classes alone or as part of our martial art programs. Please check our schedule and come try out one of our classes. You will walk away feeling amazed at what you have been missing while having more energy and more strength to get more done in your day.

The Combat Hapkido system is a comprehensive martial art program specifically designed for adults. The focus of our program is on both fitness and self defense.

Our core Combat Hapkido program emphasizes self defense through punching and kicking techniques along with an array of joint locking techniques (Combat Hapkido's specialty). In addition to our core program, Combat Hapkido offers training in grappling (both standing and ground) along with throwing techniques and weapon defensive training.

Our academy is licensed by the International Combat Hapkido Federation as an official Combat Hapkido Training Center. Our Chief Instructor, Dennis Hill, is a fully certified instructor in the Combat Hapkido system.

Combat Hapkido is continuously enhanced to insure that it is on the cutting edge of self defense. Combat Hapkido has been described within the martial arts community as the "Science of Self Defense" and as "the Ultimate Self Defense Art."

Combat Sambo
An acronym for “SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya” or “self defense without weapons”, Sambo was created in the the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. Being a hybrid martial art and the third discipline of wrestling, it's considered to be one of the most complete and effective systems in the world. Sambo training covers takedowns, throws, and submission wrestling. You will learn how to fight standing and on the ground. The training will prepare athletes for all types of grappling competitions or simply increase the average persons "real" fighting ability. Sambo is one of the most intense martial arts around and its training will increase speed, strength, endurance, and flexibility in its practitioners. Sambo continues to grow and evolve in both its sport and combat variants. In 1981 the International Olympic Committee recognized Sambo as an Olympic sport.

Thai Kickboxing
Are you bored with your current workout routine? Thai Kickboxing is anything but boring. This class will get you in the best shape of your life. You will strengthen and tone your body PLUS learn self defense skills.

Our workout is superior to other kickboxing programs. We use heavy bags, kick shields, medicine balls, jump ropes and focus pads to work all the major muscle groups in your body. We also use strength and conditioning techniques to burn fat and tone your body. Our classes are full of high energy and will keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own speed and no prior experience is needed. If you are out of shape, this program will get you IN shape, all while having a blast. Some classes focus solely on bag work, while others focus on using kick shields and focus mits. You will be surprised at how fast that hour goes by!

"We could not be happier with you, your staff or the classes! Aiki Academy has been a wonderful experience for Matthew. Thank you!

P. Squeglia, North Haven, CT

Click Here For Dr. Robyn's Powerful Parent Blog

At our academy, we strive to be much more than a kick and punch school. We are always looking for ways to enhance your children's learning experience. Your child deserves a full curriculum that helps to develop them socially and cognitively as well as physically. In order to achieve these high standards, we incorporate the POWerful Words Character development system in our martial art curriculum. Developed by Child and Adolescent Development Specialist, Robyn J. A. Silverman, PhD, this program provides a multitude of resources to the families of our school for the betterment of our children. Powerful Words provides easy to follow lessons specifically designed for children ages 4 and older. Each month our students have the opportunity to be positively recognized for completing a POWerful Project. These projects are age appropriate, very educational and fun to complete. You'll also notice during every class our students get to take part in a POWerful Mat Chat that will help them to solidify their understanding of the POWerful Character Word of the Month. Such a character education program used within the context of our organized martial arts lessons, invites students to listen, share, discover and reflect on ways to become upstanding members of our community as well as confident individuals.

The Teen Sambo program is for children between the ages of 13 and 16. The curriculum for the Teen Sambo class is

based on Combat Sambo and includes strikes, joint locks, throws, and ground fighting. The program also includes wrestling and strength training with the objective of building self-defense skills, confidence and endurance. The class requires grappling shorts, wrestling shoes, and SAMBO t-shirts.

The Junior and Junior Elite youth curriculum is reserved for children between the ages of seven (7) and twelve (12). Our Junior and Junior Elite curriculum is a comprehensive martial art education that develops the following:

The Junior and Junior Elite curriculum is comprised of a total of twelve (12) belt levels. As with any endeavor, the more one practices, the greater one can excel. Therefore, we strongly encourage that Junior and Junior Elites attend at least two

The Junior and Junior Elite curriculum teaches the foundational physical skills of Sambo Wrestling and Hapkido Karate along with a full-spectrum of lessons in proper manners, anger management, goal setting, public speaking, teaching, and team building.

If you want to provide your child with an edge in life, please contact Dennis Hill (Chief Instructor) to schedule an introductory lesson.

The Little Ninjas is an exclusive preschool program (children ages 4 -6) for learning life skills. There are eight main life skills

that are taught in the Little Ninjas Program: Focus, Memory, Teamwork, Discipline, Self-Control, Fitness, Balance, and Coordination. Let us help enhance your child's mental and physical development in a fun, positive, and motivating way.

The Little Dragons Program is for 3 year old children. It is similar to the Little Ninjas Program but the activities are slightly

The focus is on large motor skills (e.g. balance, rolling, jumping), behavior development (e.g. learning how to take turns) and character development (e.g. learning how to maintain good manners).

Please Contact Us if you have any questions about our programs or would like to know about other programs that may not be listed here.