Aikido on Key Biscayne

Like Key Biscayne, our dojo is made up of people with many different backgrounds.

Our dojo started in early 2020 when we began to practice the Aikido weapon techniques on a parking lot on Key Biscayne.

In order to practice the “te waza” (open hand) techniques and the "ukemi waza" (falling) techniques we moved to an inside dojo with a good mat.

Thanks to Aikido’s nature where we practice together in an environment of mutual trust, respect and comradery, we make sure that the atmosphere in the dojo is one of joy and perseverance for everyone. 

Key Biscayne Aikido / Two Bridges Dojo is affiliated to the Florida Aikikai Aikido Dojo and the USAF (United States Aikido Federation). 

Maurits Filet (5th dan)

Maurits is born and raised in The Netherlands where he started his martial arts journey when he was 6 years old.

During his years of practice of the martial arts (judo, traditional Yawara jiu-jitsu and savate) he came across Aikido and soon after started his Aikido practice at Aikido Center Amsterdam/ Vriesman dojo, the dojo of Wilko Vriesman (6th dan). Wilko Vriesman, who currently is the chairman of the directing committee of the International Aikido Federation, is a direct student of Christian Tissier (8th dan). 

In 2004 Maurits moved to Curaçao, founded by Frank Wong Long Sing (6th dan), where he co-directed the local dojo (Aikido Curaçao) together with three other senior students (Arjen Bikker, Anthony Chong and Robbert Jan Kastelijns). During his time on Curaçao Maurits also taught martial arts to the Dutch and local armed and police forces. 

After his move to the United States Maurits joined the Florida Aikikai Dojo where he continues his practice under the diligent and pleasurable instruction of Peter Bernath sensei (7th dan) and Penny Bernath sensei (7th dan). The Florida Aikikai dojo is a home for many high level Aikido practitioners and a gathering place of regional Aikido instructors. Both Peter and Penny Bernath are internationally renowned Aikido instructors. 

Peter and Penny sensei are students of Yoshimitsu Yamada sensei (8th dan) who is a direct student of O Sensei. Yamada sensei is one of the world's most famous Aikido teachers and he has been in charge of New York Aikikai dojo since 1964. 

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As there was a lack of training opportunities for Aikido on Key Biscayne, Maurits decided to set up a dojo in early 2020 to share his passion for this martial art with the local community.

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Maurits believes that if practiced diligently and with focus on the basics, the result will be a solid and durable Aikido with an integrated and balanced center. In that sense, a correct technique will create your comfort zone. 

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Apart from his native language Dutch, Maurits speaks fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese. He is proficient in Papiamento, German and French. Classes are taught in English but Maurits will help you in your native language whenever that is needed.