About Aikido of Norwalk (Kongōshinkan Dōjō)

金剛心館 道場 — Kongōshinkan Dōjō translates as Diamond Mind Dojo or Indestructible Truth Mind Dojo. The dojo opened in 2022 as the next step in the legacy of Yanagi Aikido, with Dr. Robert Brody serving as dojocho (chief instructor and owner).

Our home is located in East Norwalk, on the second floor of a historic 1920s car dealership building. The space feels both traditional and welcoming, with high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and a beautiful tatami training area of about 50 mats. The dojo also includes changing rooms, an instructor’s office, and a social room where students and teachers connect beyond practice. It is a dojo designed for both training and community — a place to grow in spirit as well as in skill.

The roots of Kongōshinkan Dōjō are deeply tied to the story of Yanagi Aikido Dojo, founded in 1999 by Guilbault Sensei. A few years later, Goldstein Sensei stepped forward as co-dojocho to help teach and manage operations. Over the years, Yanagi Aikido practiced in several spaces, including Norwalk Community College, before establishing a permanent home at 16 Commerce Street in 2004.

Kongōshinkan Dōjō carries this history forward — honoring the traditions of Yanagi Aikido while creating a new chapter for the Aikido community in Norwalk. Whether you are completely new to Aikido or an experienced practitioner, you will find a welcoming place to learn, train, and grow here. We invite you to step onto the mats, experience the art, and become part of our dojo family.