Open Sky Martial Arts

Open Sky Martial Arts is a school dedicated to providing traditional training in nonviolent martial arts. Our school has been serving the Triangle area of North Carolina for over 25 years, with a focus on developing inner awareness, sensitivity to others, and self-defense ability. We believe that martial arts should promote peace and harmony, rather than relying on muscular strength alone.

Our school offers a full schedule of classes in two martial arts: Aikido for adults and teens, and Chen-style Tai Chi for adults. As an official member dojo of the United States Aikido Federation, we follow the standard test requirements set by the organization. Our chief instructor, Steve Kaufmann, Shihan (master teacher), is a 7th degree black belt in Aikido and a long-time student of Tai Chi, with over 40 years of practice and teaching. Steve is now semi-retired but continues to teach regularly in the Duke PE program and occasionally at Open Sky. Our dojo manager, Mike Dolan Fliss, 4th dan, has been training in aikido for over two decades and has been involved in martial arts for over three. Both Steve and Jesse Kaufmann and Mike are longtime Tai Chi students, including years of training in Chen-style Tai Chi with Grand Master Wang Haijun.

We are fortunate to have many dedicated advanced students and instructors at our school. Open Sky believes in diversity and inclusivity and that they actively benefit our practice. Our brand new location at 131 Boone Square St., Hillsborough, NC, is easily accessible from Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Mebane, and Efland.

Aikido

Our Aikido program is designed for adults and teens and is a wonderful way to improve physical fitness, mental clarity, and self-defense skills. Aikido is a Japanese martial art famed for its peaceful philosophy, making it an appropriate art for our times. As a member of the United States Aikido Federation, we use its standard test requirements. Steve Kaufmann Sensei is a 7th degree black belt and a licensed master Aikido teacher (Shihan) in the USAF, allowing him to test and give rank in Aikido.

Tai Chi

Chen-style Tai Chi is a slower-paced, deeply internal study that reinforces students' understanding of the foundation principles of martial arts, self-healing, and body-alignment. It is a fantastic meditative study for adults of all ages. Our school has a strong connection to Chen-lineage Grand Master Wang Hai Jun, based in Manchester, England. We are one of the few schools in the United States who have held regular seminars with Grand Master Wang Hai Jun in the past.

At Open Sky, we believe that martial arts should promote peace, harmony, and inclusivity. Our chief instructor, Steven Kaufmann, creates a relaxed but focused group setting in both adult and kids classes. His simplicity, clarity, and centeredness bring a sense of safety and joy to the learning process.