News and Notes
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE - CLASS SCHEDULE***
8 May 2025
Current Class Schedule
This schedule supercedes the one in the Schedule link on the left!
- Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Karate
- Monday - 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. - ZOOM Class with Ikeda Sensei - May 19, 2025 (only).
- Tuesday - 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Aikido - A Deeper Look at Ukemi
- Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Aiki Youth Program
- Tuesday - 6:30 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. - Karate
- Wednesday - 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Weapons skills
- Wednesday - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Low-impact Aikido
- Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Aiki Youth Program
- Thursday - 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Aikido Open Class
- Friday - 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. - Aikido Open Class
- Friday - 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. - Aikido
- Saturday - 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Aikido - Beginner to Advanced. You are welcome to wear a mask. Hand sanitizer is available and should be used regularly by everyone! Mats and surfaces are sanitized regularly.
Remembering O Sensei
26 April 2025
Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba died on April 26th, (Japan time) in 1969. Here is his grave at the Omoto compound in Ayabe (top, with inset of Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu visiting the grave in 2017) and his grave at the Shingon temple Kozan-ji in Tanabe, Wakayama (bottom). (Photo from Aikido Sangenkai – Christopher Li.) Here is an interesting history of O Sensei.
Seminar with Don Ellingsworth Sensei and Julie Tollen Sensei
25 February 2025
We are holding a seminar April 11 - 13, 2025 with Don Ellingsworth Sensei and Julie Tollen Sensei. Don Ellingsworth, 6th dan ASU, is a head instructor at Chuseikan Dojo in Tampa Bay, Florida. Julie Tollen Sensei (4 dan, ASU) is also an instructor at Chuseikan Dojo. You can read more about them in the flyer, which you can download a here. The seminar will be held at Arizona Aikido's Agatsu Dojo, 939 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. Access to the dojo is easy via the light rail system. Exit at the 7th Avenue Station and the dojo is just a short walk to the west. The light rail is easily accessible from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via the Sky Train. There is plenty of parking at the dojo, as well. The dojo is immediately east of the 11th Avenue traffic light and bus stop on the south side of Camelback Road. April should still be reasonably comfortable in Phoenix! If you'd like to check it, here's the Phoenix weather. You can register for the seminar and pay at the dojo (cash or check; sorry, no credit cards): Cost for the full seminar is $100. You can choose to attend individual sessions for $30 each. The session schedule is:
- Friday evening, April 11, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, April 12, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, April 12, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, April 13, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Remembering Jon Takagi Sensei
4 February 2025
Jon Mamoru Takagi Sensei founded Arizona Aikikai in 1968 and served as its Chief Instructor until his death, Feburary 5, 1984. On THIS February 5, 2025, we take a moment to remember Takagi Sensei, 41 years after his death and 57 years after the founding of Arizona Aikido! This photo was taken in the First Street Dojo, just south of Roosevelt St., Phoenix, Arizona. Thanks to Takagi Sensei's son, Koichi Takagi, for this photo.
Arizona Aikido Students - Pay Your Aikido Schools of Ueshiba Dues via PayPal
19 December 2024
We set up a page for you to pay your Aikido Schools of Ueshiba dues via PayPal. Note that you don't need a PayPal account to accomplish this; you may just use your credit or debit card. Go here to pay via PayPal. (Note that we will charge you a little bit extra to cover the Paypal fee!) Of course, you can still pay your ASU dues the old fashioned way - with cash or a check!
Annual Ikeda Shihan Seminar - December 13 - 15, 2024
16 December 2024
We had a GREAT seminar with Ikeda Shihan! He'll be back next year, December 12 - 14, 2025! Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan has been a strong supporter of Arizona Aikido for more than half of our 56 years of existence! He returns to Arizona Agatsu Dojo December 13-15, 2024! Ikeda Shihan is seen in this photo taken at the in-person Ikeda Seminar we had in 2019 (Sorry, we don't seem to have a more recent photo!).Please don't miss this opportunity to train with Ikeda Sensei. The seminar will be held at Arizona Aikido's Agatsu Dojo, 939 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. Access to the dojo is easy via the light rail system. Exit at the 7th Avenue Station and the dojo is just a short walk to the west. The light rail is easily accessible from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via the Sky Train. There is plenty of parking at the dojo, as well. The dojo is immediately east of the 11th Avenue traffic light and bus stop on the south side of Camelback Road. December should be beautiful in Phoenix! If you'd like to check it, here's the Phoenix weather. Download a flier. You are welcome to wear a mask while training. We highly recommend that you be vaccinated and boosted for COVID! You can register for the seminar and pay online: Cost for the full seminar is $175. You can choose to attend individual sessions for $45 each. The session schedule is:
Party Saturday Evening at the dojo ($20 per person) Authentic Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki will be served! In the boxes below, select the Seminar only or the Seminar including the Saturday Party, and identify the person attending. Once you complete your selections, you can use the View Cart button to complete your registration and payment. Don't forget to use the drop-down to select BOTH the seminar AND the party!
- Friday evening, December 13, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, December 14, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, December 14, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, December 15, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Remembering Tsuneji Sakakibara Sensei
22 July 2024
We remember Sakakibara Sensei fondly on the eleventh anniversary of his death on July 22, 2013. Sakakibara Sensei was very important to Arizona Aikido! After the death of Jon Takagi Sensei in February 1984, Sakakibara Sensei stepped in to fill the role of Chief Instructor. He held the dojo together, brought us back into union with Hombu Dojo, and kept us training. He started the first Fall Mountain Camp in Prescott when he saw the need for us to get away from the Valley, come together as a family, and grieve Takagi Sensei's loss. Eventually, he turned the dojo over to Tom Haines Sensei but continued to teach as Chief Instructor Emeritus. We still miss him immensley and we honor his memory. Read Sensei's biography here.One of the ways we remember him is through the Sakakibara Sensei Memorial Scholarship Fund. If you'd like to donate to the Fund, you may do so using the Donate button below.
Kagami Biraki Promotions of Note
14 January 2024
We are extremely pleased to announce the following Kagami Biraki promotions for dojo members:
- Yoshi Kumagai Sensei - 5th dan
- Amir Moayedpardazi Sensei - 5th dan
Special Seminar with Chetan Prakash Sensei!
4 January 2024
Chetan Prakash, 6 dan ASU, is Chief Instructor of Redlands Aikikai in Redlands, California. He is a founding member of the Executive Board of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. In 2012, Prakash Sensei was named a member of the Ueshiba Juku by Saotome Shihan. You can read more about Prakash Sensei in the flyer, which you can download a here. The seminar will be held at Arizona Aikido's Agatsu Dojo, 939 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. Access to the dojo is easy via the light rail system. Exit at the 7th Avenue Station and the dojo is just a short walk to the west. The light rail is easily accessible from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via the Sky Train. There is plenty of parking at the dojo, as well. The dojo is immediately east of the 11th Avenue traffic light and bus stop on the south side of Camelback Road. January should be beautiful in Phoenix! If you'd like to check it, here's the Phoenix weather. You can register for the seminar and pay online: Cost for the full seminar is $100. You can choose to attend individual sessions for $30 each. The session schedule is:
- Friday evening, January 12, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, January 13, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, January 13, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, January 14, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Seminar with Lia Suzuki, 6th dan
23 July 2023
We had a GREAT seminar with Lia Suzuki Sensei September 29, 30, and October 1, 2023 We are looking forward to our next opportunity to train with her!
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