To create an environment of openness and encouragement where students feel comfortable expanding their minds and bodies, and removing the artificial barriers we create between the two.

To bring an awareness of the wonders of the Universe and how it conspires moment to moment in our favor for the continuous unfoldment of spectacular lives!

To teach Martial principles and practices that help students of The Way become more fully alive, confident in their own abilities to create an amazing experience of living and considerably more aware of the unlimited potential inherent in all humans.
---Toyoda Center Mission Statement---

The Toyoda Center is a cultural arts school serving the Greater West Michigan area. At the heart of this organization is the Yushinkan Dojo (Brave-Heart/Mind School), a dedicated and enthusiastic group of students studying the Martial Art of Aikido.

The Yushinkan Dojo, an affiliate of the Aikido Association of America (AAA), began in 1994 under the direction of Chief Instructor Blaine Feyen. Blaine returned home from Chicago after several years of rigorous training as an apprentice and Uchi-Deshi (live-in student) under renowned Aikido and Zen Master, Fumio Toyoda; founder and Chief Instructor of the AAA and a direct descendant of the art of Aikido directly from the Hombu Dojo (Home School/Main School) in Japan. Shihan Toyoda himself spent several years as an uchi-deshi under the 2nd Doshu, Kissomaru Ueshiba, and also spent several years in one of the most famous Zen monasteries in the world studying Zen meditation while also attending law school.

Since that first day in 1994 the Yushinkan students have been training in earnest, sharing mat space in several locations with many different groups and Martial styles. In addition, they have traveled extensively to the AAA headquarters in Chicago and many other dojo around the world training with fellow Aikidoka and expanding their knowledge and understanding of the world through Aikido. The search for the ultimate training experience and the best instruction has been paramount. This has brought the Yushinkan Dojo to where it is today, one of the nicest facilities in the nation offering the arts of Aikido, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, And Kendo (Japanese Fencing) and special workshops in various other arts throughout the year.

Named in honor of Shihan Toyoda, who passed away unexpectedly on July 4th, 2001, the Toyoda Center is the result of the vision of Blaine Feyen combined with hard work of the dedicated Yushinkan students and the commitment to a dream. A dream that was started by Toyoda Sensei (Teacher) and continues to this day to expand ever outward touching the lives of people in every corner of the world. Shihan Toyoda devoted his life to the art of Aikido traveling the globe as an ambassador and master of the art. Shihan Toyoda was a masterful teacher who imparted a unique brand of Aikido teaching methodology to anyone willing to get on the mat and train with sincerity and commitment. Just a few short months before his death, Toyoda Sensei christened a beautiful new World Headquarters of Aikido in Palatine, Illinois. The Toyoda Center is modeled after the headquarters and, today, carries on the practice and teachings that were given by Toyoda Sensei and others with the specific mission stated above.