Home Page

Steve Kaufmann, 6th degree black belt in Aikido

Open Sky Aikido, School of Martial Arts, in Hillsborough, NC is dedicated to promoting the development of the individual through whole body learning. Our family-friendly martial arts school has daily Aikido classes for kids - 5 through 7 year olds, school age children, home schoolers, and teens - and adult aikido and tai chi programs for active adults.

Sensei Steve Kaufmann has taught Aikido since 1982. He was an elementary and middle-school teacher in public schools for over 10 years. He has a credential in learning disabilities. His years of teaching in the school systems gives him insight into how to teach to people's different learning styles.

His students excel and gain mastery in martial arts because he creates a relaxed group setting with clear boundaries. He creates the same relaxed yet disciplined environment in both childrens' and adults' classes. Kaufmann embodies Aikido through his clarity of movement and the way he is able to break down those movements. His simplicity and clarity and his centeredness bring a sense of safety and joy to the learning process. The Open Sky teaching staff model Aikido etiquette which reinforces students' awareness of the importance of the well-being and safety of all class members. Aikido is a martial art famed for its peaceful philosophy, an appropriate art for our times.

Open Sky Aikido is conveniently located between the Triangle and the Triad areas in North Carolina in the beautiful historic town of Hillsborough. It is an easy drive from Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, Efland, and Mebane. We are located at exit 164, I-85 and five minutes from exit 261, I-40 in the Shops at Daniel Boone.

Open Sky Aikikai is a fully accredited member of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF), Eastern Region. Sensei Kaufmann is a licensed Aikido teacher, a shidoin in the USAF, allowing him to test and give rank in Aikido. The USAF is affiliated with Hombu Aikido Dojo, the world headquarters of Aikido in Tokyo, Japan.

WATCH OUR SCHOOL'S VIDEO!!

Steve Kaufmann Sensei on Aikido of Charlotte radio station. Interview

Kids Aikido Classes

KIDS' WINTER/SPRING SEMESTER

BEGINS MONDAY, JAN. 4 thru MAY 26, 2010

Your child learns to protect him or herself & have a great time. Kids improve balance, timing, and coordination.

Partner practice encourages cooperation, and gives immediate feedback with hands-on

self defense experience.

Advanced children's Aikido weapons demonstration using bamboo swords (shinai).

Children's 2010 Winter Spring Semester info download

See Children's link on gray bar above for more complete class descriptions.

New! CARRBORO'S SCHEDULE ADDS EVENING CLASSES !

New Carrboro info

Adult Aikido-

Mondays 7:30 8:30 p.m., Wednesdays 7-8 a.m., Fridays, 7-8 p.m. & Sundays, 10-11 a.m.

Tai Chi --Sundays 9-10 a.m.

Adult fee schedule

Aikido Seminar

Steve Kaufmann to

Aikido of Charlotte

February 7, 2010

seminar flyer

Andy Wood, Aikido Weapons Instructor

Aikido Rolling/Ukemi class

resumes Wed., Feb 3. 5:45-6:45 p.m. beginners welcome. Instructor: Mike Fliss.

Aikido Jo (staff)

resumes Thursday, March 4.

Class time 8-8:45 p.m.

Instructor: Mike Fliss. Mike is weapons instructor at Duke University for Open Sky.

Mike Fliss throwing Katie Haywood

Aikido Seminar

at Open Sky

Kayla Feder, 6th dan

Aikido of Berkeley

April 30 - May 2, 2010

Seminar details tba

Learn more about Feder Sensei link

CHILDREN'S WINTER SEMESTER

1/4-5/26/10

ACCEPTING WINTER REGISTRATIONS NOW

$35 deposit holds your child's place in the following classes:

Aiki Intro 5-8 year olds. Introductory class.

Tuesdays, 4-4:45. (school year classes)

THERE ARE A FEW MORE SPACES AVAILABLE.

E-mail to hold a space: info@aikisky.com

2010 Winter/Spring Aiki Intro flyer

Home school class, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. School year. 7 & up. Forming for September 2010. Minimum of 12 Children.

School Age thru young teens,

Mon and or Wed. 4-5, and or,

Sat. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mixed level,

Sat. 10:30-11:30 Techniques

Sign up for 1, 2, or 3 times a week.

Hillsborough only.

Deposits can be sent to:

Aikido,389 Daisy Street,

Hillsborough, NC 27278

919.732.6367

2010 Winter Spring Children's Fee Schedule

Jason Widener, Tai Chi Instructor

CHEN TAI CHI ADULT CLASSES

Learn foundation exercises,18 Essential Movement Tai Chi form, advance to Chen Old Frame(Laojia Yi Lu) Tai Chi set & more.

Hillsborough--Mondays 5:45 -6:45 p.m. &

Thursdays 5:45-6:45 p.m.

Carrboro --Sundays 9-10 a.m.

Open Sky Tai Chi info download

Article on Steve Kaufmann's Tai Chi program at Duke University:

Duke University & Tai Chi

St. Louis Tai Chi Examiner

by Violet Li, August 22, 2009

REGISTRATION INFO FOR AIKIDO SEMINAR.

Jan Aikido seminar info

Seminar Registration download

HOTEL INFO & DOJO inset map

Hillsborough, NC 27278

Sensei Steve Kaufmann

Chief Instructor, Open Sky Aikikai

Adult Aikido Classes

Adult Aikido classes are offered daily.

Make your own schedule. Hillsborough monthly fee includes all classes.

Hillsborough & Carrboro

Special Adult Aikido Beginners 4-month package, includes uniform.

Adult fee schedule

NEW!

Adult Aikido classes

Hillsborough Aikido dojo adds three new classes:

Bokken (Aikido sword) Instructor Andy Wood

Tuesdays 8:00-8:45 p.m.

Beginners welcome. You must take the first few classes to participate if you have not studied Aiki sword before.

Begins January 11, 2010.

Ukemi classes. Instructor Mike Fliss.

Wednesdays 5:45-6:45 p.m. Begins again January 13.

Beginners welcome!

The art and skill of rolling and falling as a means of protecting the body from injury during the execution of aikido techniques. Uke means to receive and mi means through the body.

Weapons: Jo (Aikido Staff) Instructor Mike Fliss.

Thursdays, 8-8:45 p.m. Begins again mid-February.

Beginners welcome!

This class will co-ordinate with the Duke class schedule. Dates TBA

Basic principles and movements with short staff; foundational movements of Aikijo through study and practice of short and long forms. Students wear judo gis for this class.