What is Central Illinois Aikikai's affiliation with the United States Aikido Federation?

Central Illinois Aikikai is a United States Aikido Federation (USAF) member dojo, and through the USAF it is affiliated with Aikido's primary dojo, Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. That affiliation is stated directly on the dojo's own site as part of its core introduction, which matters if you are trying to judge whether the instruction follows a recognized Aikido lineage rather than an independent or unaffiliated curriculum.

What the affiliation actually means

The dojo describes itself in three connected layers:

• Local: a non-profit Aikido school in downtown Urbana, Illinois, offering instruction in the Urbana area since 1974.
• National: a member dojo of the United States Aikido Federation.
• International: affiliated with Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan, described on the site as Aikido's primary dojo.

For a prospective student, the practical takeaway is that the school places itself inside the USAF structure, which in turn traces to the Tokyo headquarters dojo. The site presents this as a defining fact about the school, not a side note.

Why this is worth checking before you commit

Affiliation tells you something about how a dojo is organized, but it does not tell you everything. What it supports:

• The dojo identifies with a national federation and an international headquarters lineage.
• Instruction is presented as part of that system rather than a self-contained style.

What the site does not state, and what you should therefore confirm directly:

• Specific class schedules, fees, or membership terms.
• Instructor ranks or certification details.
• Whether beginners can start at any time or must wait for an intake period.

How to verify and follow up

The site's own route for this is simple: individuals interested in Aikido are welcome to visit the dojo during class times, and the site directs further questions to the instructors.

A reasonable sequence:

1. Check the dojo's Classes page for current class times.
2. Visit during a class time as a prospective student — the site explicitly invites this.
3. Ask the instructors directly about USAF membership, instructor credentials, and beginner onboarding.
4. Use the Contact Us page if you need to reach someone before visiting.

The dojo also maintains a Facebook presence and accepts donations as a non-profit, both noted on the site.

Quick reference

If your main concern is whether the teaching sits within a recognized Aikido organization, the site answers that clearly: USAF membership plus Hombu Dojo affiliation. For anything beyond that — schedule, cost, instructor background — you will need to visit or contact the dojo, since the site does not publish those details.