After having to stop aikido training due to multiple joint problems, I finally got myself in shape enough to do weapons training and for a couple of months now have been very happy with this group I found.
Suio Ryu is a true koryu art with lineage to the early 1600s and a Soke who travels to the US once a yr to hold a seminar. I have found the art itself and the atmosphere of the local group to be exactly what I have been looking for and invite anybody else who may be looking for a classical sword art to check it out. A few notes:
Prior martial arts experience is NOT necessary.
The class is led by a man and a woman (a couple) and there is a good gender balance in the group.
You start with the wooden sword (bokuto or bokken), learning forms for drawing, cutting, sheathing the sword both in solo and in paired practice.
The things I really appreciate about this art/group is that the focus is on martial application; the standing kata I"m working on (I am unable to do kneeling forms) is defensive and always done with a very specific attack/opponents in mind. That and of course the attention to detail, which is the thing that you have to enjoy to love weapons work.
If you email them you plan to attend, they will make sure there is extra weapons on hand for you to borrow (you do NOT have to spend a bunch o money on equipment ahead of time)
The only cost is, for ongoing studies, a modest contribution all make towards space rent.
Meets Wed evenings Divisidero/Bush.
General websites on the ryu:
www.suioryu-usa.org/
www.suioryu-bu-rai-an-dojo.org/
If you wish to email the person who runs the local study group directly, swordscholars@yahoo.com