Rio Grande Valley Aikikai

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Mission Statement
The mission of Rio Grande Valley Aikikai is to provide qualitative instruction of Aikido technique and philosophy in the greater Rio Grande Valley area of southern Texas.

Early History
Rio Grande Valley Aikikai was established as a non-profit organization in 2004. It's founder and Chief Instructor, Arnold Molina, was first introduced to Aikido at the New York Aikikai, the USAF Eastern Region Headquarters, studying with Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan, and Seiichi Sugano, Shihan.

Later moving to Dallas, he continued his practice under Robert Mason Sensei at Aikido of Dallas where he received his 1st dan ranking and began teaching. Seeking further instruction Arnold moved to Chicago, Illinois to study at the Midwest Aikido Center, USAF's headquarters for the Midwest Region. Under the direction of the late Akira Tohei, Shihan, he was assigned as a primary instructor of the children's program and a secondary instructor for the general membership.

Membership
Rio Grande Valley Aikikai is a member dojo in good standing of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, 8th dan, headquartered in New York City. The USAF, is the world's oldest and largest Aikido organization, is a member of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, aikido world headquarters, in Tokyo, Japan under the direction of Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, the Aikido Founder's grandson. Through this affiliation, Rio Grande Valley Aikikai is privy to the latest developments in international Aikido.