The Virginia Ki Society was founded in 1974 by William (Kirk) Fowler as a small program in the suburb of Northern Virginia. Since its inception, the dojo moved several times around the Northern Virginia surburb to finally arrive in 1994 at its present location of Merrifield, VA. Soon after founding the VKS, Fowler Sensei moved on and left the care of the dojo to George Simcox Sensei, who was soon personally appointed by Ki Society founder Koichi Tohei to be Chief Instructor of the Virginia Ki Society (VKS). The VKS grew under the fine leadership of George Simcox Sensei as new member schools from around the Mid Atlantic joined the VKS. The Merrifield facility became the headquarter dojo for the VKS. Simcox Sensei led the Virginia Ki Society for almost 25 years, from 1975 until his untimely death in November 2000. In January 2001, Koichi Tohei appointed Chuck Auster to succeed Simcox Sensei as Chief Instructor of the VKS. Auster Sensei served for several years and is currently on sabbatical.
In 2003, the Northern VA dojo was re-christened the Northern Virginia Ki-Aikido to reflect our more egalitarian principles that all the member dojos of the Virginia Ki Society were equally important. The following year, the VKS joined the New Jersey and South Carolina Ki Societies to form the Eastern Ki Federation. David Shaner, who was previously Chief Instructor to the South Carolina group, was appointed Chief Instructor of the new federation. Shaner Sensei now oversees instruction and testing standards for all member dojos within the EKF.
Northern Virginia Ki Aikido also continues as a member of The Virginia Ki Society, which was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the early 1980's as a non-profit (501c 3) corporation. VKS is an organization with a Board of Directors that is elected annually by the VKS dojo members. In turn, the Board appoints officers to conduct the day-to-day business of the organization.
As an Authorized Society within the Eastern Ki Federation and Ki Society International, the Virginia Ki Society operates under the rules and regulations promulgated for overseas societies, which establishes minimum requirements for testing and advancement. Our instructors attend regular training with senior instructors of the Ki Society International. All classes at Northern VA Ki Aikido include a teaching segment on both Ki Development and Ki Aikido.
Merrifield, VA
Hillsboro, VA
Elkton, VA
Mathews, VA