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Mission Statement
The Martial Way teaches practical self-defense in contemporary situations and against modern attacks – while fostering mental, emotional and spiritual development through the core principles of a traditional Japanese martial art.
There are many benefits in taking
The Martial Way
You will learn and enjoy:
- Practical self-defense in contemporary situations and against modern attacks
- Making friends and having fun in a safe and positive environment
- Improvement in physical fitness and overall health
- Training with seasoned, knowledgeable, passionate and friendly instructors
- Mental, emotional and spiritual development
- A journey in self-fulfillment and self-actualization
Brief History
The South Jersey Aikido Academy (SJAA) was founded in 1998 by Sam Carney. Sam trained under Robert Danza in the School of Unarmed Self Defense in Collingswood, NJ. Robert earned his black belt under Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido. David Maturo joined SJAA in 1999 and partnered with Sam to transform the dojo to the Martial Way in 2019.
Aikido is a living art which adapts to changing situations and times. We continually strive to improve the effectiveness of what we train and teach. We keep what works and avoid the rest. We also learn from other arts and styles, and we incorporate the appropriate lessons into our practice. We are always learning and growing.
Our Instructors
Active Black Belts
Sensei Mark Angelo
Active Black Belt, Shodan (1st degree)
Sensei Marcos Aquino
Active Black Belt, Shodan (1st degree)
Marcos began his martial arts journey during his college years with Tae Kwon Do lessons at a local YMCA in Puerto Rico. But his aiki journey began in Philadelphia in 1990 at the KokiKai dojo in Center City under Ricciotti Sensei. Much like Sensei Sam, Marcos moved to a new neighborhood and found New Jersey School of Aikido where Sam taught and managed the dojo for Robert Danza. Marcos joined in 1993 and continued his studies under Sensei Sam, followed him to South Jersey Aikido Academy when it opened in 1998, and has been there since then under his direction and under the fellowship of many current and retired blackbelts. Marcos believes everyone’s aikido journey is unique. Being associated with this school has enriched his own journey. Marcos shares that learning not just to help oneself, but to help others learn and enjoy their own journeys. That has been his one of his goals, to be an example of someone who didn’t give up.
Sensei George Cassidy
Active Black Belt, Shodan (1st degree)
George started training in aikido in 2014, looking for a positive change in his life and he found it at our school. Dedicated to learning and growing, he trained aggressively and achieved his shodan rank October 2019. George has attributed aikido and the dojo for a wonderful change in his life and he is thankful to all the instructors and fellow students who have made his journey a fun, challenging and exciting one. He dedicates his training to his mom and Dottie and he is grateful to have had them in his life. George is a talented electrician who has generously donated his time and skills to literally light up The Martial Way. He has been an avid student at the South Jersey Aikido Academy and is now a black belt who has embraced The Martial Way.
Sensei Joe Farrell
Active Black Belt, Shodan (1st degree)
Joe started Aikido Training in 1990 in Collingswood, NJ and moved to the South Jersey Aikido Academy upon opening. He obtained his shodan in April 2001. “This school fosters a learning experience that never ends. We are all students and continue to teach and learn from each other no matter what our experience level may be. There is a true sense of camaraderie and desire to see all students progress at their own pace. The destination is not as important and the journey.”
It was after earning a black belt in March 1990 in Okinawan Karate at National Karate Studios, Phila, PA that Joe decided to broaden his knowledge into other arts. “Once I began my journey into aikido, I felt that it was a better fit for my goal of life-long learning. I feel that karate taught me how to fight but aikido taught me how to defend myself.”
Sensei Joe feels fortunate to have trained under some truly great senseis and believes it is his obligation to pass some of that experience on where he can.
Sensei Pawel Kaczmarski
Active Black Belt, Shodan (1st degree)
After coming to the United States in the early 1990s, Pawel was introduced to aikido. He has trained in both Kokikai and Iwama styles of aikido and has been shodan (1st degree) since 2015. Since the late 2000s, he has been training at the South Jersey Aikido Academy.
Pawel’s martial arts training started in Poland 1985 with the art of Kyokushni Karate.
Sensei Matt Megill
Active Black Belt, Shodan (1st degree)
As one of the school’s newer black belts, Matt began his training with the South Jersey Aikido Academy under Sensei Sam Carney in 2012. Matt originally joined the school in order to get his two daughters involved in a self defense system that does not rely on strength and speed; however he developed his own passion for the art and is highly involved in the school. In March 2017, Matt made his Shodan Rank and has continued on working closely with many of the schools instructors in order to further hone his knowledge and capabilities with particular interest in practical application and the martial aspect of aikido.
In addition to aikido, Matt was privileged to study Bagua for a couple of years under Master William Ting.
