Background

Blue Ridge Ki Society is an affiliate of the Midland Ki Federation under Chief Instructor Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei.

Blue Ridge Ki Society (formerly Blue Ridge Ki-Aikido) was founded by Jonathan Doner in 1991. Dr. Doner, a psychologist, currently holds the rank of Yondan (fourth level black belt) in Ki-Aikido and Joden (upper-level black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Do. In 1996 he was made an Associate Ki Lecturer by the International Ki Society. He began studying Ki-Aikido in 1985 as part of a Charlottesville Parks and Recreation program directed by Sensei Rich Olson, under the wonderfull and greatly missed tutelage of the late George Simcox Sensei. In 1988 Doner Sensei took over the Charlottesville program, as well as starting Ki-Aikido programs at UVa and in Harrisonburg. In 1991, he and his students established Blue Ridge Ki-Aikido, the first permanent Aikido dojo in Charlottesville. The dojo expanded to its current location on Main Street in September of 2008.

Location

We are located at 801 West Main Street in Charlottesville, on historic Starr Hill across from the train station. The Dojo is located halfway between the Downtown Mall and UVa.

Members

The membership of Blue Ridge Ki Society includes men and women from many walks of life, including students, professionals, professors, and children.