Article: How One Aikido Sensei Changed My Life
Posted 1/05/2016 12:29am [from Jun Akiyama]
Here's a lovely article written by Ted Gonder entitled "How One Aikido Sensei Changed My Life (and 17 of His Life Lessons)" on his experiences with Don Levine (4th dan) who passed away in April, 2015. From the article: To get good at aikido, you have to practice the techniques so much that they become automatic, reflex. But technical proficiency doesn't make a great aikidoist. Great aikido comes from the the transcendence of technique: to move freely and masterfully, one must forget what's been learned. Don would repeat aikido’s founder: "Any movement, intact, can become an Aikido technique, so in ultimate terms, there are no mistakes. My advice to you: Learn and forget! Learn and forget! Make the techniques part of your being!"

Seminar: Franck Noel shihan, seminar in Barcelona 19-20-21 /02/16
Posted 12/20/2015 10:00am [from Joaquim Suarez]
Franck Noël shihan, seminar in Barcelona 19-20-21 february 2016. More info please check: www.aikidomakoto.com or contact by email with: joaquimsuarez@hotmail.com

Seminar: 2016 Winter Seminar with John Messores Shihan
Posted 12/20/2015 10:00am [from Andrzej Siwkiewicz]
Oberlin Aikikai will host Winter Gasshuku in Oberlin, Ohio with John Messores Shihan January 29-31, 2016. John Messores Shihan (7th Dan) is one of the most senior instructors of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and is among the highest-ranked Americans affiliated with Hombu Aikikai. Messores Shihan has been the senior ASU Aikido instructor of the Tampa Bay area since the early 1980s. The event will be held at the Hales Gym, Oberlin College, 180 West Lorain Street, Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1016 Gasshuku schedule: Friday, January 29th, evening class at 7 - 9 p.m., Saturday, January 30th, morning class at 10 - 12 p.m., and afternoon class at 3 - 5 p.m. Sunday, January 31st, morning class at 10 - 1 p.m. The seminar cost is $110, or $35 per class. Preregistration is recommended and housing available in hotels nearby. For more information visit: http://www.oberlin.edu/stuorg/Aikido/events.htm or http://clevelandaikido.com/events/, or call 216-3922274. All affiliations are welcomed.

Article: Steven Seagal wanted by Serbia to train special police
Posted 12/01/2015 8:47pm [from Jun Akiyama]
According to this article on CBS news entitled "Steven Seagal wanted by Serbia to train special police forces", Steven Seagal has reportedly been asked by Serbian officials a job to train Serbian special forces in aikido. From the article: "Steven Seagal used to overwhelm Russian and Serbian bad guys in Hollywood movies with his martial arts techniques. Now Serbia wants him to share his secrets. Serbian officials offered the veteran American actor and producer a job Tuesday training Serbian special police forces in Aikido, a Japanese martial art that Seagal is famous for in his blockbuster movies."

Article: Ellis Amdur, "The Use of Weapons in Aikido Training"
Posted 10/28/2015 5:42pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Here's an Aikido article entitled "The Use of Weapons in Aikidō Training" by Ellis Amdur. From the article: "How does weapon practice contribute to or inhibit the aims of aikidō? The essential nature of a weapon is as an object created to do harm to others—to cut and slash flesh, crush bone, give pain, even take life. Any other purposes, such as using the weapon as emblem of power or as means of spiritual advancement, are secondary developments. Therefore, the first question: Is aikidō weapon technique effective as a combative martial art?"

Simone Wedell (4th dan, Bay Marin Aikido) turns 80 years old
Posted 10/23/2015 9:22pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Here's an aikido article entitled "At 80, Sausalito's Wedell an inspiration to fellow aikido students" which highlights Simone Wedell, 4th dan, who just celebrated her 80th birthday and her 30 years in aikido. From the article: "I don’t feel like I’m the oldest,” she said. “You can practice aikido at any age. It is a non-competitive martial art. A peaceful art and very soothing to get your frustrations out considering what goes on in the world. A good way to handle crisis.”

Seminar: Cognard Shihan 8th Dan in Treviso, Italy (November 2015)
Posted 10/23/2015 9:21pm [from Andrea Debiasi]
"Accademia di Aikido e Cultura Tradizionale Giapponese" (AACTG) is pleased to announce the seminar directed by Cognard André Shihan 8th Dan (Hanshi, Dai Nippon Butoku Kai), which will take place in Paese (Treviso), Italy, on November 28-29 2015. All affiliations, levels, and juniors are welcome. Check out the details in the AACTG website