Contact Information

Message from Sempai Kyle

Welcome to Aikido Mt. Airy. My name is Sempai Kyle Olinger. I am a third degree black belt in the art of aikido. This is the highest rank awarded in our style of aikido as we believe that numbers have little importance in developing the self and only add to the ego. Numbers are awarded up to the third dan level in order to provide new students with an understanding of the level of instruction they are receiving. The next level from third dan is the title of Sensei, which means teacher and, in our style that means having the authority to promote students to the highest level. I mention these numbers for the sole purpose of assuring the new student that they will be receiving the best quality instruction as provided by Aikido Kinokawa.

Aikido is not a sport and therefore our goals are different from other forms of martial art. The student will learn self-defense as a way of physical protection for themselves and of others but will not be taught how to fight competitively. Aikido Mt. Airy believes that aikido is practiced as a way of life.

Our practice is not conducted in a militant way. The classes are run in a relaxed atmosphere with only a few rules and formalities practiced in order to maintain a disciplined and structured learning environment. We believe that a relaxed environment creates a relaxed state of being. Learning to relax in the face of explosive and dynamic physical attacks will teach the student to relax in the chaos of life.

Our method is to first engage the new student in the physical art of Aikido. The new student will face many challenges when starting his/her training with us. Unlike many styles of aikido we challenge the new student to train hard from the very beginning. No-one is asked to do more than they are capable of doing; however, the student will be pushed to his/her limits from the very first few months of training and, this approach increases in intensity as the student grows. The student will grow rapidly in physical ability provided they are willing to discipline themselves to continue training despite the aches and pains of physical exertion.

The student will be introduced to the principles of ki energy. This is not only a mental approach to life but also, a true energy that is the life force in all of us. This energy is used to feel others intentions as well as our own state of being. Once this energy is touched upon the student will be guided in using ki while practicing the techniques as taught in our style of aikido. In time, and with serious practice, the ki energy will move the student through his/her technique and through daily life. This is an advanced stage so, do not expect to understand, nor be capable of, this ability until after many years of serious training.

The student is taught to use everything he/she learns inside the dojo as well as outside the dojo. There are no trophies or grand titles given out in our style of martial art. The student is taught to use what they learn to live their life in the best way they can and, are asked to be responsible with what they learn. This means not engaging in violent behavior and being willing to perform service for the dojo by teaching others what they have learned when they reach the senior student level. The real training begins at the black belt level.

Aikido Mt. Airy teaches the student that aikido is practiced for life and that one never reaches a true understanding; one only gets closer to finding the truth by continuous training. If you are looking for an art that helps you discover yourself and disciplines you in the art of staying calm and centered in the chaos of life then Aikido Mt. Airy may be what you are looking for. If you are looking for trophies, titles and other ego building trinkets then look somewhere else; our style would not suit your needs.

About Sempai Olinger

Sempai Olinger began his training in the martial arts in 1978, practicing various fighting styles that he later brought together under the concepts of Jeet Kune Do. After joining the Marine Corps in 1985, he continued his education in combat self-defense training. He served as a Military Police Corrections Specialist in Okinawa, Japan, where he studied a combined style of Okinawan Kempo, Isshinryu, and Shotokan Karate, and with the Marine Detachment at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, where he taught self-defense to members of both of those units. He later transferred to the Light Armored Infantry (now Light Armored Reconnaissance), where he taught self-defense and sentry removal tactics. At the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, CA, he taught new Marines combat survival tactics.

In 1991, Sempai Olinger was hired by the police department in Reading, PA. At the same time he started training in Kinokawa Aikido under Hanshi Wirth. In 1993, Sempai Olinger trained under John Desmot and Jim Marsh in the Police SAFETY system and started teaching physical fitness, self-defense, and the mechanics of arrest at the police academy in addition to his patrol duties. He also taught morning aikido classes at Aikido Kinokawa West Reading, PA.

In 1995, Sempai Olinger earned his1st Dan in Kinokawa Aikido and started teaching as a Shodan Sempai for Hanshi Wirth. The following year, Sempai Olinger helped form the Aikido Kinokawa, Temple, PA, dojo. In 1998, Sempai Olinger opened Aikido Mt. Airy, MD, and in 1999 earned his 2nd Dan under Hanshi Wirth.

While continuing his academic education, Sempai Olinger worked as a bouncer in a night club where he met and trained with other bouncers skilled in Brazilian Jujitsu. In 2001, Sempai Olinger earned his BA from UMBC and in 2002 was hired as a police officer for Montgomery County, MD, where he worked in the Silver Spring district. In March of 2003 Sempai Olinger earned his 3rd Dan under Hanshi Wirth.

Later that year during a traffic encounter with a group of carjackers and robbers, Sempai Olinger was shot in the spine. The incident has left him temporarily partially paralyzed; however, he continues to train in Iron Palm kung fu (which he started studying under Ron Burkle in 1997), Iron Shirt qi gong, and bone marrow qi gong. He is currently working toward his MA in Five Elements Acupuncture while recovering from his wound.

Sempai Olinger continues to teach aikido at his dojo and has been a guest aikido instructor for Ten Shin Ichi Ryu seminars held in Rockville, MD. He believes in real-world martial skills balanced with ki development and self-discovery training and falls back on his nearly thirty years of experience to train his students.

About Hanshi Wirth

Hanshi Michael Wirth, founder of Aikido Kinokawa, has over thirty years of Aikido experience. Before establishing his own organization in 1991, Hanshi Wirth studied with Sensei Maruyama. Hanshi Wirth believes in the realistic application of Aikido as a martial art AND a path for spiritual growth.

Getting Started With Aikido

Visitors are always welcome to watch class and are encouraged to participate. Visitors may try out a class for free to help them decide whether Aikido is for them. Members must be twelve years of age or older; students under eighteen must have a parent's permission to join. There are no contracts, and members may attend as many classes as they wish at no additional cost.