Chief Instructor
Sensei Walther von Krenner began studying martial arts in 1957. He has studied with many extra-ordinary sensei, including Ueshiba Morihei (O-Sensei), Ueshiba Kisshomaru (Doshu), Tohei Koichi and Takahashi Isao.
He has instructed police and military organizations, taught thousands of students and traveled the United States giving seminars on Aikido. He was interviewed in issue #119 of Aikido Journal and was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2000. He has taught in the beautiful Flathead Valley of Montana since 1980 and just celebrated his 6oth year in Aikido with his students.
Sensei von Krenner is the author of several books on Aikido: Training With the Master (with John Stevens), Aikido Ground Fighting (with Damon Apodaca and Ken Jeremiah), Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido (with Ken Jeremiah) and Following the Martial Path (with Ken Jeremiah). He also writes for the Aikido Journal (print magazine) in Europe.
8th Dan USMA American Aikido
4th Dan Judo
Assistant Instructors
Ken McCaskill (Go-dan) began training in 1990, took a break of several years and returned in 1998. He hasn't taken a break yet.
Lucas Brown (Go-dan) has been training with Sensei von Krenner since 2004, with a brief break for college.
Fees
Our school is a membership dojo, meaning that dues directly support the school and are paid regardless of attendance. Of course we want you to attend every class! We don't have contracts, but we do offer some discounts if you would like to pay in advance. We also offer less expensive associate memberships for those who can't train regularly but still want to support the dojo.
New members gain equipment and clothing discounts, access to the formidable lending library, but most importantly, they gain access to all core classes.
We are monitoring the pandemic and its variants, with Sensei von Krenner returning for instruction at least one night per week. As the current health crisis resolves, we are resuming modified contact training and have adjusted some of our procedures on and off the mat.
Aikido
New students pay a one-time Initiation Fee of $65 and the first month of their membership dues ($65), for a total of $130. We also have a discounted package that includes a uniform for $185.
Monthly Membership is $65.
We also offer reduced mat fees for visitors with previous Aikido experience. Please contact us if you have any questions.
We offer group discounts on our membership fees:
Family Discount (to all registered family members): 20%
Student Discount: 10%
Military Discount (extended to both active service and veterans): 10%
Select Area Business Employee Discount: 10% (Our list of local businesses is always expanding. Please check with your employer or contact us directly.)
We also offer discounts on short-term classes and affordable mat fees for visitors.
Guests are always welcome.
Sensei von Krenner's books are available from Amazon and other fine resellers.
Sensei von Krenner’s latest book, Chadogu, The Art of Tea, is available now through Amazon. It is an exploration of the Cha-No-Yu (tea ceremony), its philosophy, history and tools. Filled with detailed photos of very rare tea bowls, it’s sure to be a reference for serious collectors.
