Seminar: 10/1-10/3: International Friendship Seminar in East Hanover, NJ
Posted 7/26/2010 3:35pm [from Jun Akiyama]
An International Friendship Seminar will take place in East Hanover, NJ on October 1-3 at Aikido Centers of New Jersey. It will feature such prominent aikido instructors such as Jorge Rojo (Chile), Nelson Requena (Venezuela), Wilko Vreisman (Netherlands) and Daniel Lance (France) along with host Greg O'Connor (USA) as well as other prominent US Aikido instructors and dojo-cho who will also be in attendance. More information may be found on the website here.

Article: "John Sukumar Ratnam and his journey in Aikido"
Posted 7/26/2010 10:01am [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "John Sukumar Ratnam and his journey in Aikido" introduces us to John Sukumar Ratnam who started studying aikido in the mid 1980's in Sri Lanka. Now, he is a 4th dan teaching at the Dubai Aikido Club. From the article: "It was a difficult time for me in Japan. I had very little money to pay my Hombu Dojo tuition fees for my board and lodging in Japan. But when I was almost down and out it was thanks to magic that I managed to survive. I diligently applied myself to the study of Aikido by paying my fees with what I earned as a street magician there."

Online Video: YouTube: Kayla Feder Sensei Teaching Class
Posted 7/21/2010 11:01am [from Jun Akiyama]
Here's a nice 42-second clip of Kayla Feder sensei (6th dan, Aikido of Berkeley) teaching class.

Article: "Aikido practitioner promotes martial art for peace"
Posted 7/19/2010 8:40am [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "Aikido practitioner promotes martial art for peace" highlights Neilu Naini of Dungeness, WA who has recently started teaching aikido classes at the YMCA. From the article: She now divides her time between tending her own garden in Dungeness, teaching aikido, knitting with local alpaca fiber, playing the tabla (Indian drum) and working as a home care aide at the Korean Women's Association. [...] "Dad asks what to tell people who ask what I do," she said. "I said tell them I'm a martial artist. That's what I always come back to. Aikido has led me to a life of service."

Event: Aikido Demonstration in Calgary Alberta August 15th
Posted 7/19/2010 8:40am [from Andrew Barron]
On Sunday August 15th and 2:30 pm a public demonstration in will be given in Calgary Alberta at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology the main gym. The demonstration will consist of local and visiting aikikdoka attending the Calgary Aikikai 30th Anniversary seminar as well as the following Shihans and Sensei’s: Kobayashi Sensei – 8th Dan (Japan) Asai Sensei – 8th Dan (Germany) Igarashi Sensei – 7th Dan (Japan) Kubo Sensei – 7th Dan (Hawaii) Arai Sensei – 7th Dan (Japan) Shirakawa Sensei – 7th Dan (Japan) H. Kobayashi Sensei – 6th Dan (Japan) For information see http://www.calgaryaikikai.com/events/

Seeking Aikido Practitioners for Research Study
Posted 7/19/2010 8:40am [from Anna Fitzpatrick]
A friend of mine and student of Nadeau Sensei is seeking Aikido practitioners who have experienced an issue with food or body image for a dissertation research study investigating the impact of Aikido practice on healing from the experience of eating disorders. Participation involves a one-hour interview. It is 100% confidential and anonymous . If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please email: aikidoresearch@hotmail.com. Thank you for your interest.

Article: "Molly Hale – An Incredible Martial Artist Making a Difference"
Posted 7/16/2010 5:53pm [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "Molly Hale – An Incredible Martial Artist Making a Difference" highlights Molly Hale of the San Francisco Bay Area. Molly suffered injuries due to a car accident in 1995 which doctors diagnosed would leave her "paralyzed from [the] shoulders down for life." Since then, she has been able to work through her injuries to take her aikido sandan test in 2001. From the article: When I asked Molly to tell me about her Aikido, she replied, “I have been training in Aikido for 26 years, 11 on my feet and 15 from a wheelchair and [on the] floor…”