Aikido - Quiet Storm Dojo

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that is very different from any other. Unlike other arts that focus on aggressive blows, Aikido is a purely defensive art. Practitioners of Aikido use attackers’ own energy against them. Aikido emphasizes using minimum effort for maximum effect. It is not a competitive sport.

The goal of Aikido is not to defeat others, but rather to be unified in mind and body. Aikido literally means a method (do) of coordinating (ai) one’s life force or spirit (ki).

Aikido is designed for people of all ages. There are practitioners as young as 7 and as old as 80. Whether you are young or old, male or female, you can benefit from what Aikido has to offer. Join us. Gain practical experience that translates into success in your everyday life.

The Wilmington Aikido dojo is a member of Aikido Kokikai International, founded by Shuji Maruyama Sensei.

Instructor Sensei Berry (8th Dan)

Present Rank: 2nd dan (2nd degree black belt) in Ji Do Kwan / Tae Kwan Do; Founder of the Quiet Storm System of Ji Do Kwan / Tae Kwon Do; 8th dan (8th degree black belt) in Aikido Kokikai ryu; 7th dan, Sanuces Ryu System of Ju Jutsu.

Rick Berry started down the martial arts path in 1963 when his brother-in-law gave him several copies of Black belt Magazine to read. He wanted to learn how to take care of himself but Asian martial arts training was put on hold until he finished his military obligations. What he found was not what he was looking for; it was much, much more.

It began at the Seibukan Shorin-Ryu Karate school in Norwood, Pennsylvania in 1965. The chief instructor’s name was Walter Daily who was a student of Grandmaster Zenpo Shimabukuro of Okinawa. After 8 months Mr. Berry switched to the Korean art called “Tae Soo Do,” which later became Tae Kwon Do, a catchall title in Korean. The actual system he studied is Ji Do Kwan, the Grandmaster of which is Chong Woo Lee of South Korea. The late Master C. K. Kim headed the Ji Do Kwan system in the United States. Sensei Berry’s immediate instructor in Chester was Steven McKnight and when he graduated from Crozer Seminary he turned his YMCA school over to Mr. Berry in 1969. Master Kim became his teacher even though he resided in New York City. Master Kim came down several times a year to instruct and conduct belt examinations. Sensei Berry received his black belt in 1969.

One year later several community leaders called on Mr. Berry suggesting that he open a club in the West End of Chester. They wanted Tae Kwon Do for those who could not afford YMCA memberships. When he opened a branch at the T.M.T. Community Center later that year, charging the students $10 per month. The “House of the Quiet Storm” was born. That school continues to this day. He has taught over 2,000 students as a Tae Kwon Do instructor, and has promoted 22 black belt students.

In 1983, Berry Sensei expanded his knowledge by studying Aikido in Philadelphia, traveling to that city several times per week, and achieved 1st degree black belt rank in 1990. Since that time he has taught many, many students. They include doctors, lawyers, schoolteachers, college professors, commercial airline pilots, correctional officers and state and local police officers in Pennsylvania and Delaware. He was designated as regional coordinator for the tri-state area in 1996, and promoted to 6th degree black belt by Shuji Maruyama Sensei in August 2007.

Berry Sensei holds black belts in three different arts: Ji do Kwan, 8th dan in Aikido and 7th dan in Dr. Moses Powell’s system of Ju Jitsu.

He is the founder of The Quiet Storm System and Aikido Kokikai Delaware. Additionally, in 1977 Rick Berry, S. L. Martin of New Jersey, and Pat Byrnes of Pennsylvania founded The United Martial Arts Referees Association.

In August of 2004 Sensei Berry published his first book entitled “Stepping off the Mat.” It describes how to apply martial arts principles in everyday life. A revised edition of “Stepping Off The Mat” was published in 2011.

Additional Instructors

Andrew Furst (5th dan): Andrew started aikido in 1991 and is the senior student and Director of Promotions. He is attracted to aikido for not only its grace and power, but also for its spiritual nature. Andrew currently teaches the Monday night regular class. His teaching skills, however, extend beyond the dojo, as he is an elementary school teacher. He finds that his training in aikido helps his classroom presence where he finds the principles of redirection and blending useful in classroom management.

Ryan Fisher: Ryan began his training in aikido at the Quiet Storm dojo in 1997. He is the Chief Instructor of the youth and teen aikido classes and also manages operations at the dojo. Realizing that aikido is more than just a system of self-defense, Ryan considers aikido to be an amazing way to stay fit mentally, emotionally, and physically, while learning to cooperate with life instead of competing with it.

Connect With Us

Join Us!

All Aikido classes are ongoing at our dojo/studio. New students may join at any time. All new students are asked to join under a “trial membership”. This allows the student to experience the many benefits Aikido has to offer, without the obligation of joining as a full-time student.

NOTE: we do not use contracts at any point in the full-time student membership. Only a simple membership agreement is introduced at the start of full-time membership.

Our TRIAL MEMBERSHIP is for 2 months of classes (*2-3 classes per week). This fee includes a training uniform.

Since most new students have never seen Aikido in person, we strongly suggest you contact us to arrange a visit to our dojo/studio.

*Please contact us for current membership rates. We offer substantial discounts to membership with multiple friends/family members.

Please text (302) 438-5474 or email qsdojo@gmail.com to sign up!