In addition to Zen training, we offer a variety of transformative practices, including Iaido, Jodo, Naginata, Rising Moon Warriors (for kids ages 5-12), Aikido for Beginners, and Ashtanga Yoga, all led by highly qualified instructors.
See below for more details and the full class schedule.
As we continue to grow, we invite like-minded instructors to join us. If your practice aligns with our mission, please contact us at daiyuzenji@gmail.com for more information.
KOGETSUKAI
Japanese weapons arts are offered by KogetsuKai (“Kogetsu” means “moon lake” referring to the moon shining over Lake Michigan and “kai” means “society”), the only dojo in the Chicagoland area to train in several Japanese martial arts: (Zen Ken Ren (Seitei) Iaido and Jodo, Shinto Muso-ryu, Atarashii Naginata, Tendo-ryu Naginatajutsu and Jikishin Kage-ryu Hojo.
We believe in training with the six virtues of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, sincerity, and bravery.
Jodo, Naginata, Iaido, and Kenjutsu can be enjoyed by everyone, from the youngest grade–schooler to the oldest senior citizen. The benefits derived from training affect many aspects of a person’s everyday life. These include:
Speed and agility
Precision and timing
Self-confidence
Comradeship
Harmony of mind and body
Kogetsukai teachers are volunteers and offer classes for all experience levels, from novice to advanced trainees. Kogetsukai donates 100% of all its proceeds to Daiyuzenji Rinzai Zen Temple and these classes are available to all Daiyuzenji members.
Instructors: Laurence Smith, Sean Anthony, and Miguel Martinez.
To participate, email Laurence@Kogetsukai.com
JODO
We train in the art of Jodo, “the way of the wooden staff”.
The Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei Seitei Jodo system contains twelve staff forms (kata) against a swordsman using a bokuto (wooden sword).
As a student develops, they can move into the koryu (classical style) techniques of the Shinto Muso-ryu tradition. Which includes the 64 kata as well as the Fuzoku Ryuha (Assimilated Schools), Isshin-ryu Kusarigamajutsu, Ikkaku-ryu Juttejutsu, Uchida-ryu Tanjōjutsu and Kasumi Shinto-ryu Kenjutsu.
Schedule: Attendance on both days is not required.
Sundays 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Thursdays 9:30 – 10 pm
Requested donation $30/ month
This class is available to all Daiyuzenji Supporting Members.
To participate, email Laurence@Kogetsukai.com
IAIDO & Kenjutsu
We train in the art of drawing and training with the Japanese sword.
The Zen Ken Ren Iai are twelve kata drawn from several major sword schools, including Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, Muso Shinden-ryu, Hoki-ryu and Mugai-ryu. Iaido emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.
Kenjutsu, swordsmanship consists of many different aspects, including formal techniques, practical techniques, and conditioning drills. The classical (koryu) schools of kenjutsu we practice are Jikishin Kage-ryu Hojo and Kasumi Shinto-ryu.
Schedule: Attendance on both days is not required.
Sundays 3:45 – 5:15 pm
Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30 pm
Requested donation $30/month
To participate, email Laurence@Kogetsukai.com
This class is available to all Daiyuzenji Supporting Members.
NAginata
We train in the art of the naginata, traditionally a pole arm that has a Japanese sword blade mounted on a long handle.
One of the styles we practice is the modern (gendai) form called Atarashii Naginata “new Naginata”. It employs the use of a bamboo and oak naginata for practice & competition. Majority of training is dedicated to Engi (forms) and shiai (matches) wearing armor (bogu).
The second school is the classical (koryu) art of Tendo-ryu naginatajutsu. Tendo-ryu the “School of the Way to Heaven” dates back to the late 1500s.
Schedule: Attendance on both days is not required.
Sundays 5:15 – 7:00 pm
Thursdays 10:15 – 11:00 pm
Requested donation $30/month
To participate, email Laurence@Kogetsukai.com
This class is available to all Daiyuzenji Supporting Members.
Rising Moon Warriors
Rising Moon Warriors offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese martial arts and Zen practices to cultivate discipline, self-defense skills, and inner peace.
Classes are tailored for children ages 5 to 12 and organized into age-specific groups to ensure each child receives the appropriate instruction and attention during our one-hour sessions.
Requested donation $30/month
To participate, email Laurence@Kogetsukai.com
Aikido Kenshin DojO
Founded in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido is a potent distillation of centuries of martial knowledge, transmitting the most noble teachings of Japan's samurai tradition. The guiding principles make it more than just a set of techniques for combat or self-defense. Aikido is a martial art that trains to integrate the mind and body, serving as a transformative practice for deep personal development. The art's philosophy seeks to avoid harming others whenever possible.
The training emphasizes decisive techniques of defense (throws, joint-locks, strikes, and immobilizations) as well as the use of, and defense against, weapons (long sword, staff, and knife). Practice is conducted primarily through kata (pre-arranged series of movements), performed cooperatively by two practitioners who switch roles in receiving and performing the technique. A variety of other exercises are used to build awareness, correct posture and movement, and fitness. The mechanics of Aikido are based on refined, unforced movements using the entire body, which allow Aikido to be practiced safely and successfully by all, regardless of age, size, or strength.
Aikido For Beginners
Instructor: Seion Vandever, 2nd Dan; Aikido Kenshin Dojo
Schedule: Attendance on all three days is not required.
Mondays 6 - 7:30 PM
Wednesdays 7 - 9 PM
Intro to Aikido (Empty Hand) 7 - 8 PM
Intro to Aikido Weapons 8 -9 PM
Sundays 12 - 1 PM
Requested Donation: $20 per class or $35 per week. This class is available to all Daiyuzenji Supporting Members. Aikido Kenshin Dojo donates 100% of all its proceeds to Daiyuzenji.
To participate, email: aikidokenshindojo@gmail.com
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is one of the original systems of yoga developed by Pattabhi Jois, who studied under Krishnamacharya, the Father of Modern Yoga. This practice follows a set sequence of poses—including standing, balancing, seated, backbends, and inversions—that can be modified to suit beginners. The primary series, which we will focus on, is particularly beneficial for stretching the hamstrings and opening the hips.
Ashtanga is a powerful practice that integrates poses (asanas), breath control (ujjayi pranayama), focused gaze (drishti), and energy locks (bandhas) to cultivate inward focus (pratyahara). This practice helps build long, lean muscles, enhances balance and flexibility, oxygenates the body, stimulates the lymphatic system, calms the nervous system, and moves energy through the 12 channels of the body.
Join us in this dynamic and meditative practice to cultivate physical and mental well-being. Bring Your yoga mats, blocks, and straps.
Beginners are welcome.
Class Structure:
Opening Chant & Om: Optional, to center and prepare for practice
Ashtanga Vinyasa Practice: The core of the class, focusing on the primary series
Closing Chant & Om: Optional, to conclude the practice
Savasana: A final relaxation pose with a sound bowl to deepen the experience
Sundays, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Led by Perry Galanopoulos
Perry's journey into Ashtanga yoga began through his herbal supplement company, where he first encountered the practice. Years of sports injuries had taken a toll on his body, and he turned to Ashtanga and Yin yoga as a way to rehabilitate. The impact was transformative—not only did yoga help him heal physically, but it also had a profound effect on his mind and spirit. Inspired by this experience, Perry pursued his passion further, traveling to Guatemala to earn his 200-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Alliance certification under Doron Hanoch. After taking some downtime for a necessary surgery, Perry is excited to start teaching at Daiyuzenji this fall. He continues to deepen his practice through a 74-hour Ashtanga Immersion course.
Requested Donation for non-members $20. 100% of donations go to support Daiyuzenji.