Sparta Family Martial Arts (Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi & Qi Gong)
Sparta Dojo (Sparta P.A.L. building), 38 Station Rd, Sparta, NJ
About
Sparta Family Martial Arts (Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi/Qi Gong & Kali) offers training in Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi, Qigong (Qi Gong), and Kali, along with Aikido weapons training, Karate weapons training, and Personal Protection Workshops (AiProtect). Students can also practice Iaido (Japanese sword), bokken (Japanese wooden sword), jo (Japanese wooden staff), and Kobudo (Okinawan weapons), as well as Qigong & Tai Chi and Kali as a traditional Filipino stick fighting art using two sticks with individual and partner drills. Iaido is offered as a solo practice of traditional sword forms.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Multiple weekly options for Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi & Qigong, and Kali on weekdays and weekends, including morning and evening classes.
• Price: 3-Month Starter Special - $199; Aikido training uniform $80; ongoing memberships $120/month with auto-pay or $140/month with cash or check; 10% family discount on additional family members after the starter special; all memberships include unlimited classes.
The program’s mission is to provide the community with healthy alternative activities for personal growth and well-being that prioritize both safety and fun for all ages. It offers interactive fitness training in a calming atmosphere with no loud music, no blaring TVs, no yelling, and no unnatural straining, and includes multi-level fitness training from no impact to low impact to high impact. Classes are described as serious but fun, relaxed, upbeat, and non-aggressive, with practice at each person’s own pace and comfort level, and visitors are welcome to observe any classes anytime with no appointment needed.
Aikido is described as an ethical and highly effective self defense system with no fighting, contests, competitions, or tournaments, and includes easy Aikido movement through full Aikido capabilities. Qigong and Tai Chi are described as non-fighting, meditative practices with mindfulness and relaxation as the main goal. Weapons training in Aikido and Karate includes bokken, jo, tanto, bo, tonfa, scythe, and other traditional Okinawan weapons, and Iaido is described as the “Way of the Sword.”
The leadership team includes Greg O'Connor, Chief Instructor and 7th Degree Aikido Black Belt, Founder and Chief Instructor of Aikido Centers of New Jersey; Bill Kadar, Chief Instructor for Karate and 8th Degree Isshinryu Karate Black Belt, Founder and Chief Instructor of Shoshin Isshinryu Karate; and Ton Vu, instructor for Tai Chi, Qi Gong & Kali and a long-time practitioner of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with a 3rd Degree Aikido Black Belt. Greg O’Connor has been a full-time professional Aikido instructor since 1986, is nationally and internationally known and respected for his expertise and teaching abilities, received his 7th Dan from Aikido Doshu in Tokyo, and is the author of “The Aikido Student Handbook” and “The Elements of Aikido.” Bill Kadar began Isshinryu Karate training in 1983, earned his black belt in 1991, holds a 1st Degree Aikido Black Belt under Greg O’Connor, trains regularly in Iaido under him, and has been a full-time language arts teacher for over 20 years.
Sparta Family Martial Arts is part of Aikido Centers, which was founded in 1986 and has awarded over 100 Aikido Black Belt ranks and established over 30 Aikido dojos throughout the NY/NJ metro area since then. The Sparta dojo was originally in Newton for 10 years and has been in its current setting since 2012. Aikido Centers has over 40 Black Belt instructors on staff, is described as an award-winning and “Ivy League” Aikido institution, and is directly affiliated with Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) in Tokyo, Japan and The Aikido Foundation, with all Aikido Centers black belt ranks registered and certified by Hombu Dojo.
Community connections include sponsorship of the Manasquan dojo by The Manasquan Recreation Department and hosting of the Madison dojo by The Madison Community Arts Center, and there are Facebook pages for Aikido Centers, Aikido Center of Sparta, Ai Seminars (Aikido International Friendship Seminars), and AiProtect (Personal Protection Workshops). Testimonials describe Aikido Centers as a great and well-run organization with kids classes, multiple locations, great facilities, a friendly atmosphere, and a serious and respectful yet light and friendly environment, with instructors and students willing and able to help everyone improve.
Last updated July 28, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Multiple weekly options for Aikido, Karate, Tai Chi & Qigong, and Kali on weekdays and weekends, including morning and evening classes.
• Price: 3-Month Starter Special - $199; Aikido training uniform $80; ongoing memberships $120/month with auto-pay or $140/month with cash or check; 10% family discount on additional family members after the starter special; all memberships include unlimited classes.
The program’s mission is to provide the community with healthy alternative activities for personal growth and well-being that prioritize both safety and fun for all ages. It offers interactive fitness training in a calming atmosphere with no loud music, no blaring TVs, no yelling, and no unnatural straining, and includes multi-level fitness training from no impact to low impact to high impact. Classes are described as serious but fun, relaxed, upbeat, and non-aggressive, with practice at each person’s own pace and comfort level, and visitors are welcome to observe any classes anytime with no appointment needed.
Aikido is described as an ethical and highly effective self defense system with no fighting, contests, competitions, or tournaments, and includes easy Aikido movement through full Aikido capabilities. Qigong and Tai Chi are described as non-fighting, meditative practices with mindfulness and relaxation as the main goal. Weapons training in Aikido and Karate includes bokken, jo, tanto, bo, tonfa, scythe, and other traditional Okinawan weapons, and Iaido is described as the “Way of the Sword.”
The leadership team includes Greg O'Connor, Chief Instructor and 7th Degree Aikido Black Belt, Founder and Chief Instructor of Aikido Centers of New Jersey; Bill Kadar, Chief Instructor for Karate and 8th Degree Isshinryu Karate Black Belt, Founder and Chief Instructor of Shoshin Isshinryu Karate; and Ton Vu, instructor for Tai Chi, Qi Gong & Kali and a long-time practitioner of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with a 3rd Degree Aikido Black Belt. Greg O’Connor has been a full-time professional Aikido instructor since 1986, is nationally and internationally known and respected for his expertise and teaching abilities, received his 7th Dan from Aikido Doshu in Tokyo, and is the author of “The Aikido Student Handbook” and “The Elements of Aikido.” Bill Kadar began Isshinryu Karate training in 1983, earned his black belt in 1991, holds a 1st Degree Aikido Black Belt under Greg O’Connor, trains regularly in Iaido under him, and has been a full-time language arts teacher for over 20 years.
Sparta Family Martial Arts is part of Aikido Centers, which was founded in 1986 and has awarded over 100 Aikido Black Belt ranks and established over 30 Aikido dojos throughout the NY/NJ metro area since then. The Sparta dojo was originally in Newton for 10 years and has been in its current setting since 2012. Aikido Centers has over 40 Black Belt instructors on staff, is described as an award-winning and “Ivy League” Aikido institution, and is directly affiliated with Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) in Tokyo, Japan and The Aikido Foundation, with all Aikido Centers black belt ranks registered and certified by Hombu Dojo.
Community connections include sponsorship of the Manasquan dojo by The Manasquan Recreation Department and hosting of the Madison dojo by The Madison Community Arts Center, and there are Facebook pages for Aikido Centers, Aikido Center of Sparta, Ai Seminars (Aikido International Friendship Seminars), and AiProtect (Personal Protection Workshops). Testimonials describe Aikido Centers as a great and well-run organization with kids classes, multiple locations, great facilities, a friendly atmosphere, and a serious and respectful yet light and friendly environment, with instructors and students willing and able to help everyone improve.
Last updated July 28, 2026.
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