Dr. Jaideep Mukherjee (aka Dr. Aiki) and Karen Mukherjee discovered aikido in 1991 and have been practicing
it ever since. Their first dojo was Central Illinois Aikikai which was part of the
Midwest Aikido Federation
(under the supervision of Shihan Akira Tohei, Hachidan, or 8th degree black belt).
In aikido, Jaideep and
Karen found a good compromise between "hard" karate and "soft" tai-chi. While part of the Midwest Aikido
Federation, Jaideep tested for all his Kyu levels by Shihan Tohei and passed the First Kyu (brown belt) exam
in 1996. After earning his doctorate, the Mukherjees moved to Houston in order to pursue their career paths.
- In 2001, Jaideep was awarded the title of "Jyoshu" ("Assistant") by Shihan Toyoda.
- In October 2001, Jaideep
and Karen decided to take their aikido studies in a new direction by coming under the supervision of Shihan
Hiroshi Kato, 8th dan, from Tokyo, Japan.
- In March of 2002, Jaideep was awarded his first degree black belt
by Kato Shihan.
- In the fall of 2004, Jaideep and his wife Karen decided to join the Shudokan School of Aikido
in order to help Sensei Jorge Garcia (shudokanaikido.com) establish Aikido in northwest Houston.
- In October
of 2004, Jaideep took his Nidan exam and was awarded his 2nd degree black belt by Kato Shihan. Karen also
passed her first-degree black belt exam in May 2003 and second-degree black belt exam in January 2007.
- In
March 2009, Jaideep took the Sandan exam and was awarded his 3rd-degree black belt by Kato Shihan.
Jaideep also holds a black-belt in Muso Shinden Ryu iaido, and both Karen and Jaideep are ranked in Daito-Ryu
Roppokai.
Classes
Aikido classes are offered at the Claire School of Dance at our Grace United studio to students aged 14 and up.
Classes last 1½ hours, and are currently being held every Monday and Wednesday from 7:15pm to 8:45pm.
Fees & Registration
For fees, testing, and other information, please click here.
To register, call the Dance School office at 713-880-5565, or register online.
Students may cancel at any time with a 15-day notice to the instructor or to the School office.
