Hawks Hill School of Martial Arts began in 2016 in Troy, NY, originally training under the name Troy City Aikikai. We started in rented spaces — first a yoga studio, then the local YMCA — before moving into our permanent home on Justin’s farm.

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The dojo sits inside a barn that Justin personally converted into both a training space and a residence. During this time, a committed group of early students helped establish the culture, consistency, and work ethic that would define the school. Lisa joined the dojo as one of these early members and later stepped into the role of Director of Operations, helping strengthen and organize the direction of the school as it grew. Darryl, better known as "d" was also one of these early members who later stepped into the role of Student Development Coordinator, helping students immerse themselves into the training and culture of the dojo.  

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Our roots are in traditional Japanese martial arts — including Jujutsu, Aikido, Iaijutsu, Bukijutsu — taught through the Birankai lineage founded by T.K. Chiba. Over the years, our training evolved to focus on functional movement, practical grappling, weapons work, structure, and pressure-tested application. These shifts naturally led to our rebranding from Troy City Aikikai to Aikido at Hawks Hill, and now to Hawks Hill, School of Martial Arts.

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Today, we offer a modern, disciplined, realistic approach to Japanese martial arts. Training is challenging and intentional. Students develop structure, timing, and clarity under pressure, building capability they can rely on both on and off the mat. The dojo remains grounded in the values that built it: hard work, consistency, respect, and a culture where people show up for one another.

For anyone seeking serious training in a supportive, disciplined environment, Hawks Hill provides a clear path forward — rooted in tradition, sharpened through experience, and built through years of committed practice.

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(Formerly Troy City Aikikai / Aikido at Hawks Hill)