News and Notes
Ikeda Sensei Zoom Seminar
1 November 2020
This photo is from our last seminar with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan in December 2019, when we were still able to get together, i.e., before the COVID-19 pandemic. THIS year, we'll train with Ikeda Sensei virtually! Our Annual Ikeda Seminar will be held December 12, 2020, via Zoom! There will be two sessions, one from 10:00 a.m. to Noon (MST), and the second from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (MST). The cost for the seminar is $35.00. Register via Paypal below. If you need to register with a check, please make it payable to Arizona Aikido and send it, along with your email address, to: Arizona Aikido, 2416 S. Mulberry, Mesa, AZ 85202. Ikeda Sensei has been teaching weekly classes on his approach to internal power. This seminar will also focus on internal power. This is an essential skill, whether you are a beginner or an advanced Aikidoka. All proceeds from this seminar go to Ikeda Sensei. We hope you'll plan to attend! We look forward to seeing you online! Download a flier here Please register here for the Ikeda Sensei Zoom seminar. The cost for the seminar is $35. Please enter your email address and name below. We'll send you a link for the seminar before December 12!
** IMPORTANT NOTICE - UPDATED**
1 May 2020
Aikido is a full-contact art. It is not possible to train in the dojo and maintain social distance. Therefore, Aikido training in the dojo is suspended until at least May 31, 2020! The novel coronavirus global pandemic is upon us. Entire countries are on lockdown and global measures are being taken to slow the spread and impact of what may be the largest public health emergency we’ve faced in our lifetimes. As Aikido practitioners, our very way of life has been upended. The foundation of the art we love so much is human connection, after all. These are challenging times, and the actions we take now will impact our families, friends, communities, and the future of the art of Aikido itself. Aikido teaches us to remain calm in the face of danger, to be adaptive, and to neutralize threats in a way that creates collective benefit. Now is the time for us to make some hard decisions. This is the moment for us to put our training into practice in a real-world crisis. The world is facing a challenge of enormous scale and human impact with the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Based on recent developments, I wanted to reach out to you and provide an update on the actions we are taking to help prevent the spread of the virus and support the health and wellbeing of our student and broader community. After consulting data and recommendations from the WHO, CDC, and the State of Arizona, we have decided to cancel classes through the month of March. Social distancing is an effective way to prevent transmission and the earlier that measures are taken, the larger the positive impact we can have on the spread of the virus. Effective today, group classes at the dojo will be cancelled through Thursday April 30. We will reevaluate this decision on a regular basis and either terminate or extend it, as necessary. The decision to close the dojo during this period has not been made lightly, but the health and safety of our community is our highest priority. This is an opportunity for us to put our training into practice, to adapt to a short term challenge and show our resiliency and ability to collaborate for the greater good. Please monitor your email for updates. Stay safe and healthy.
Donate to Arizona Aikido
30 April 2020
Arizona Aikido is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. Please consider donating to us to help us through the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to have normal expenses while not being able to train. Not all members are able to continue paying monthly dues during this time. Thanks for any help you can provide!
Message from Saotome Sensei
31 March 2020
A message form Saotome Sensei! I hope that all Aikidoka everywhere in the world stay safe. Aiki is the ability to recognize circumstances around you and adapt. For example, I hear you are using new technology to keep to keep connected. Very good! I am very proud that my students have put safety first and closed their dojo. Taking care of the community was always in the heart of O’Sensei. If we help each other, we will get through this and return to our usual practice. Please know that Patricia, my wife, and I are safe and taken care of here in Sarasota. I hope to see all of you soon. Mitsugi Saotome, Shihan Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Special Seminar with William Gleason Sensei - April 24-26, 2020 - ** POSTPONED **
14 March 2020
** NOTICE ** THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED!
We will update this information when we complete the new schedule. William Gleason, Aikido - 7th dan, is the founder and head instructor of Shobu Aikido in Somerville, MA. He is also the author of two books about Aikido, spirituality and kototama. He lived in Japan from 1969 - 80 where he trained in traditional aikido and Japanese sword at Hombu Dojo. Gleason Sensei received his 1st degree black in 1972 from Kisshomaru Ueshiba and in 1998 was given his 6th degree black belt from Mitsugi Saotome. Download a flier 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. Register and pay here:
Recommendations for Attending Seminars and Camps
10 March 2020
Shared from the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba Website: http://www.asu.org In light of the recent public concern regarding COVID-19/Coronavirus, the following recommendations should be implemented by all Aikido students attending seminars and camps – as well as any regular dojo keiko (training).Attending an Aikido event is your choice, but it is strongly recommended that you follow the above protocols.
- Wash hands thoroughly (20 seconds) with soap and water before and after class. If washing hands is not practical, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after class.
- Avoid touching your face (eyes, ears, mouth, nose) during training – and while in public in general. During training, try to avoid touching your partner’s face with your hands.
- If you have upper respiratory tract symptoms, do not come to class, and do not return until you both a) feel better and b) are free of fever for at least 24 hours (fever = temperature > 38 C or 100 F).
- Do not wear surgical/respiratory masks on the mat.
- On top of this, washing of gis/clothing should be practiced regularly as well as disinfecting vinyl mat surfaces.
Martial Arts To Protect
9 March 2020
Trent Boudreaux Sensei will be conducting a workshop on March 14, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 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. Boudreaux Sensei will cover functional and tactical three-dimensional movement, tactical ukemi, self-defense and Aikido techniques, as well as martial art protective techniques and strategies. For complete information, Download a flier here
First-Keiko-of-the-Year 2020!
21 December 2019
First-of-Year Keiko and Potluck! Friday, January 3, 2020, starting at 6:00 p.m. Plan to work out with us at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020, as the "first keiko of the year!" Sakakibara Sensei always said that, if you worked out the first keiko of the year and the last keiko of the year, you were considered to have tained all year long! This celebration is a tradition in our dojo! After training, we'll have a potluck, so bring something to share! The photo you see here is from last year. Well, it was the last keiko of 2018 (and the first keiko of 2019). You don't want to miss this clebration!
Annual Ikeda Sensei Seminar
9 December 2019
We had a great seminar with Ikeda Sensei! We'll try to have some photos up shortly! Thanks, Ikeda Sensei! Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan has been a strong supporter of Arizona Aikido for more than half of our 50 years of existence! He returns to Arizona Agatsu Dojo December 6-8, 2019! He is seen in this photo taken at the Prescott Camp in September 1991, 28 years ago. Don Crawford Sensei is taking ukemi in the photo. Click on the photo for a flier. 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. 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:
- Friday evening, December 6, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, December 7, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, December 7, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, December 8, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Jim Alvarez, 6th dan, ASU - September 20-22, 2019
28 July 2019
Jim Alvarez, 6th dan, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba will be in Phoenix, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 20-22, 2019, for a seminar. Alvarez Sensei has trained not only with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, founder of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, but also with Toshishiro Obata Kaiso in the art of Shinkendo. He is a skilled swordsman. Alvarez Sensei is the Chief Instructor at Aikido of Livermore - Shinrei Dojo. You don't want to miss this opportunity to train with Alvarez Sensei! Download a flier here Register and pay here:
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