About Our Dojo

Aikido of Northwest Kansas is devoted to challenging individuals to be fully present, to break free from that which binds them, to handle conflict as active peace-makers, and to become more connected within themselves and more connected with others.  We offer traditional Aikido classes, parent and child classes for kids as young as 2 or 3 years old (with a participating adult or approved substantially older sibling only), family classes, family weapons classes (solo youth 9 or older and solo adults can also join), regular youth Aikido classes for kids 5 and up, a youth technique time (for youth who are more focused–attendance is only with Sensei’s permission), and a variety of workshops, seminars, and camps.

Aikido of Northwest Kansas is a chartered dojo in the Aikido Association of America.  Our Hays school’s name (given to us by Stephen Toyoda, our association’s head instructor and president) is Shinshinkan, which means place of sincerity, true heart, or devotion.  In addition to our main school in Hays, we teach at the FHSU Traditional Martial Arts Alliance (an on-campus club), and we have an affiliated school instructed by one of our black belts in Blue Rapids, KS, as well as a study group in Wichita, KS.

About Our Instructor

Brandon Nimz is a yondan (4th degree black belt) in Aikido who began instructing in 2007. He has traveled and trained throughout the US and in Europe and Japan. While his primary influence has been the older generation of instructors in the Aikido Association of America along with his own instructor, Stephen Toyoda Sensei (current head instructor and president of the Aikido Association of America), Brandon has also been a live in student (uchideshi) at Kobayashi Dojo in Japan under Yasuo Kobayashi and has trained with a large variety of other styles and associations. In addition, Brandon seeks out instructors in tangential styles like Dan Harden and his Sangenkai to learn more about Aiki; Brandon also enjoys cross-training with his martial friends of various disciplines.