Sensei Michael McNally 6th Degree black belt 

Michael McNally Sensei is the founder and Chief Instructor of Hoboken Aikikai. He is Rokudan (6th degree black belt) and a Shidoin (USAF Certified Senior Instructor). Michael is also on the teaching staff of the highly regarded New York Aikikai in New York City where he began his training in 1981 under the direction of Shihan Yoshimitsu Yamada, 8th dan and President of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF). Yamada Sensei was uchi deshi (live-in apprentice) with O Sensei and is one of the most respected and influential teachers of Aikido in the world today.

Michael also had the honor of training under the direction of Shihan Seichi Sugano, 8th dan, (1939-2010) who was also a direct student of O Sensei.

In early 2007 Michael McNally opened Hoboken Aikikai. Classes are open to men, women and young adults, including all skill levels. Members may attend classes as often as they wish. Visitors from other Aikido dojos are welcome.

You are always welcome!  

Jim Kanze

With a background in wrestling, boxing, judo, karate, after taking a few decades to build a business and raise a family together with his wife, Jim saw a street sign advertising Aikido in Hoboken. Some seventeen years later, thanks to Michael McNally Sensei and Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and other excellent Aikido teachers at New York Aikikai and elsewhere, Jim has the opportunity to share what he has learned and to continue on his Aikido journey training daily.

Jim focuses on posture, relaxation, and basic mechanics as fundamental to developing the power and grace of Aikido and to extending the lessons of Aikido to life in general.

Jim currently holds the rank of Yondan, 4th degree black belt, and is a Fukushidoin (supporting teacher) certified by the International Aikido Federation and the United States Aikido Federation.

John Hite

John discovered Aikido during his sophomore year at Stevens Institute of Technology. While a Computer Science student, he sought a different way to stay physically active besides the school gym. He was surprised to find that martial arts not only provided an element of fitness to his body but also to his mind.

After months of trying different martial arts classes all over Manhattan, a friend suggested a martial art he’d never heard of - Aikido. To John’s surprise, there was an Aikido School right in Hoboken. More than 20 years later, John continues his study of Aikido. In that time, John has had the privilege of studying under many amazing instructors in the New York / New Jersey area, most notably Michael McNally Sensei with whom he’s been a student for over a decade.

As an instructor, John provides an active and engaging practice with a focus on strong fundamentals, ukemi (how to safely take a fall or pin) and randori (multiple attackers). 

John currently holds the rank of nidan (2nd degree black belt) and is a fukushidoin (supporting instructor) certified by the International Aikido Federation and the United States Aikido Federation.