Aikido in Central Mexico

By Ken Rowland,, Aikido San Miguel
AikidoSMA@yahoo.com Ê

San Miguel de Allende, almost in the exact center of Mexico, is listed by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the top five tourist destinations in all of Latin America. Sunset Magazine ran a long article on it in April this year, and it is regularly featured in the travel section of major newspapers across the country. Unfortunately, it is not so well known by the Aikido community. Aikido San Miguel is out to change that.

Though well established in Mexico City, Aikido is little known outside the large metropolitan areas of Mexico. When I moved to San Miguel over three years ago, I could not find anyone who had ever heard of Aikido, let alone find a dojo. The nearest I found was in Queretaro, too far away and with practice too late in the evening for me. Then, I met a man who not only knew of Aikido, but had seen a demonstration many years before when he studied Tae Kwon Do, and had wanted to practice ever since. There was nothing to do but start a dojo.

After what I suppose is the usual time-consuming job of a finding a suitable space, and exceptional difficulty (for a gringo with little Spanish) finding a suitable mat, my Mexican friend and I opened the Aikido San Miguel in October of 2006. Quickly, we had two more students, and shortly a sho dan moved from Mexico City and was delighted to find a dojo. He now teaches a children's class on weekends, and we have regular practice four days a week.

We consider ourselves affiliated with the USAF, but because of our location we are unable to join officially. I retain membership in the USAF and we use the same testing requirements, having a USAF shidoin come twice a year for a seminar and testing.

We invite all members of the USAF to come to this wonderful colonial city in the heart of Mexico andÊpractice with us. Bring your family and friends and discover one of the best vacation towns in all the world. We'll be glad to help with finding a great holiday rental or answer questions about getting here. Contact me through a US phone number (925)418-8003 or the above email address. We will do our best to give you help in getting here, and to find directions to the dojo for practice. See you on the mat.