Long Island, NY Dojo

**Skiesmostwanted** · 28th December 2011, 05:26 AM

Hello All,

I am new here and did some search on this website, but saw that some of the Dojo's listed on Long Island, NY do not exist anymore. I am trying to find a dojo here but am running into a few issues. I have tried to contact Moses Becerra located in Farmingdale but have had no luck. His website is http://likendo.com/intro%20front%20page.htm. I found this site, http://www.liaikikai.com/html/membership__fees.html, but they only have Iaido, no Kendo, plus their fees seem really expensive. Does anyone have any recommendations? I am located on the Nassau/Suffolk border, so would like something a little close. I saw there is one in Southhampton, but that is too far of a drive. Thank you in advance for your help!

Kris

**sirius1906** · 28th December 2011, 07:35 AM

Maybe Moses is on vacation? I know last practice at Ken Zen in Manhattan is 12/29 Thur. First practice in 2012 is Jan 8.

I think it's only $50/mo for iaido at Long Island Aikikai. As the dojo name suggests, I believe it's an aikido dojo primarily. Kevin Loughlin (3 dan iaido), a Ken Zen member teaches iaido there, no kendo.

Also, there are at least a couple of dojo in Queens if you don't mind traveling.
AUSKF New York Dojo: http://auskf.info/dojo/ny.htm
google map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...16286,1.352692

**Skiesmostwanted** · 28th December 2011, 10:16 PM

Does Moses also practice at Ken Zen in the city too?

Aikikai does offer the Iaido for $50 a month, but I have to find out if this is on top of their $125 monthly dues.

I may end up traveling into Queens or NYC for that matter, it is difficult to find places here. I also contacted Suigetsu Dojo, www.suigetsu.com, which is really close to me. I did not see them on the AUSKF list so wasn't sure if their practices are "legit". I sent an email and was told that before you can take their Iaido classes, you have to take their Jujutsu classes and become a brown belt.

Is this true for all dojo's? If so, I would probably then do the training here on the island and take the Kendo classes in the city.

Thank you for your help

**Neil Gendzwill** · 29th December 2011, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by Skiesmostwanted

I also contacted Suigetsu Dojo, www.suigetsu.com, which is really close to me. I did not see them on the AUSKF list so wasn't sure if their practices are "legit". I sent an email and was told that before you can take their Iaido classes, you have to take their Jujutsu classes and become a brown belt.

Is this true for all dojo's?

No. AUSKF-related iaido dojo do not normally require previous experience. Having to have a certain rank in a base art is typically a sign of a commercial school. I would look elsewhere. Bear in mind contacting people over the holidays can be a problem - traffic at KW right now is very light, you will have better luck next week.

**Skiesmostwanted** · 29th December 2011, 12:09 AM

Thank you Neil for your help! I will try and call Moses after the holidays. I kind of figured that Suigetsu Dojo is a more commercialized school since it was not on the list.

**sirius1906** · 29th December 2011, 01:55 AM

I haven't been practicing kendo for quite a while due to all the wonderful things happening in my life. So I can't tell you if Moses practices in the City. I would guess he mostly practices at the Long Island dojo. He will probably come to the Kagami Biraki: 1000 suburi; iaido embu (demo); kendo practice, potluck party...and mochitsuki (pounding rice into paste to make mochi rice cake) fun fun.

**Skiesmostwanted** · 5th January 2012, 02:06 AM

So I called the number for Moses today, he is no longer offering Kendo and Iaido classes. Figure I would post this just in case there are others who are looking.

I also noticed that some of the ones located in Queens offer Kumdo. After doing research, I found many people who said that it is the same as Kendo, and then also found many people who said it is not. Has anyone taking Kumdo style and found it to be different than Kendo?

**sirius1906** · 5th January 2012, 02:47 AM

My understanding is that the rules and techniques are the same. Terminology is different, e.g., Kendo (Japanese), Kumdo (Korean), etc. As long as it's not that Haidong Gumdo (or is it kumdo), you are ok. Haidong is made up dancing BS.

**Skiesmostwanted** · 5th January 2012, 02:55 AM

Good to know. Thank you for the help! I may travel into the city because taking the train seems easier to get there than driving into Queens. I found this place, http://kenshin-kai.com from the AUSKF website, which offers classes on Tuesdays and Fridays.

**sirius1906** · 5th January 2012, 03:39 AM

Kensin Kai is another strong dojo in the City.

Stick to the ones on the AUSKF website, you can't go wrong.

**Toecutter** · 5th January 2012, 03:44 AM

You can't go wrong with almost any dojo in NY, that being said Kenshin kai has some great people and if you have the opportunity to go there I would recommend it to anyone. Just out of curiosity does Moses still practice or did he shut the dojo down if you know.

**Skiesmostwanted** · 5th January 2012, 03:52 AM

I didn't speak to him directly, so I do not know if he still practices. I was just informed by the lady who answered the phone that he doesn't offer the classes anymore

**Skiesmostwanted** · 6th January 2012, 01:31 AM

I heard back from Master Kim at http://www.uskumdo.com/mainpage.html, which was off the list. There classes are $150 a month, which is a little pricey, but I am willing to check it out. I figured out last night that between the cost of classes at Kenshin Kai and taking the train in, it will cost about the same, if not more to travel into the city, but I still would like to also check out Kenshin Kai. I am very excited to see a training session, I have been doing hours of research and reading and watching videos, so it will really be great to see in person.

**Toecutter** · 6th January 2012, 02:17 AM

Going to Kenshin kai is worth the extra effort. I think around 1/3 of the AEUSKF national team was from Kenshin kai. They have quite a deep pool of seniors as well. Between Kishino, Umemura, Carol, Yong, and others it is a very strong dojo with excellent basics and teaching. In the end it comes down to money and time, I'm just bias toward Kenshin kai because I've practiced with them whereas I have not had any experience with Il Kum Kwan, other than seeing them at tournaments. Also a large part of kendo for me at least is how you fit in with the people at the dojo, you might fit into one place more than another so take that into account when you go.