NE USA, UK and France - Senseis?

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[Cass]

Hi there,

Mid February I'll be moving for 2 1/2 months to train full-time (no work, no study, just aikido) in Paris, France at the Cercle Tissier. Before and after that I'll spend a few weeks in England and then on to living in Vermont for up to 6 months and I am very interested in "sampling" all the aikido I can at each of these locations and their surroundings. This means that ideally, I don't want to miss any notable senseis/dojos/shihans/seminars at each location, so below I'll write a list of the ones I know of/intend to visit at each location and I would love further suggestions or comments. I am originally from Tissier's lineage but I am very much open to trying all styles and flavours of aikido, as the list may demonstrate. Included beside the country is the dates I will be there (in case for seminars rather than local). I may be incorrect about the location of some, I'll put a * beside those that I think have seminars at those locations during. In particular I need some suggestions for England and NE-USA as not much comes up for either of those.

France (14-Feb through 30-Apr)
Christian Tissier
Endo Seishiro*
Yasuno Masatoshi*
Miyamoto Tsuruzo*
Pascal Guillemin
Bruno Gonzalez
Michel Erb*
Stephane Goffin?*
Patrick Bénezi
Marc Bachraty*

England/UK (1-14 Feb and 1-31 May)
Chris Mooney
Minoru Kanetsuka
Shigeho Tanaka

NE USA (1-June through Nov)
William Gleason
Donovan Waite
Yoshimitsu Yamada
Harvey Konigsberg
Steve Pimsler

[jimbaker]

Hello Cassia,

As most of the USA senseis you mention are with the US Aikido Federation, you should have a look at their official event page for 2018. It is updated as more seminars are scheduled.
It might be a bit expensive, but the USAF Summer Camp runs from 29 July to 4 August in New Jersey. Most of the teachers you mentioned will be teaching there.
http://www.usaikifed.com/events/year/2018/
http://usafaikidonews.com

Jim

[lbb]

USAF summer camp should be in New Jersey in July, if they do it like they have in recent years. Can't really help you otherwise, being a Birankai person, but I'm located closer to Vermont than any of those others, so...

[Larry Feldman]

Shizuo Imaizumi, NYC. Shin Budo Kai Aikido. A must see

[Garth Jones]

Hi Cassia,

A few non-USAF tips:

1. For seminars in ASU dojos, check out asu.org for their seminar schedule.
2. You didn't say where in Vermont you were going to be, but for regular training I would recommend both Vermont Aikido in Burlington, run by Aaron Ward Sensei and River Valley Aikido in Brattleboro run by Don Hebert Sensei. Mary Heiny Sensei teaches a seminar at each of those dojos every year (her schedule is at maryheiny.com).
3. I would strongly suggest trying to get to a seminar taught by Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei if you have the chance. His seminars are often listed on the asu.org website.

Also, if you happen to be anywhere near Pittsburgh, PA on your travels, you are more than welcome to stop in and train with us (alleghenyaikido.com).

Cheers,
Garth

[Alex Megann]

On the weekend of 3/4 February, Kanetsuka Sensei is teaching at his home dojo in north-west London. The Saturday is a joint aikido/karate class along with Ohta Sensei of the Shotokan, while on the Sunday Kanetsuka Sensei is teaching by himself:

http://www.bafonline.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/Courses/2018%20Courses/K&O2018a.pdf

Alex

[ninjedi]

Aikido Yoshokai Vermont: http://www.aikidoyoshokaivermont.org/

[RonRagusa]

Hi Cassia -

Mary and I invite you to come train with us when you're in the US. We're an independent Aikido dojo in the Berkshire Hills town of Great Barrington in Western Mass.

Ron

[robin_jet_alt]

That's an impressive list! I've only trained with 2 of the senseis on your list, but I can highly recommend both Endo Seishiro and William Gleeson. Have fun, and if you are ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to drop by.

[Shadowfax]

Mary Heiny sensei has a seminar in Cambridgeshire England at Quentin Cooke's dojo March 16-18 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1888350034763895/

You can also catch her in November in Baltimore MD USA in November. She usually teaches a seminar ther the first or second week of November. Dates for 2018 have not yet been posted.
http://www.baltimoreaikido.com/location
She teaches several seminars on the East coast each year. Particularly in Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, and Maryland.

You can check her schedule on
http://www.maryheiny.com/index.html

As a woman in aikido I think it is always a good idea to see as many of the senior female instructors as you can. Mary sensei is one of the most senior women in aikido in the US. She saw O'sensei although does not claim to be his student. She is a wonderful example to our dojo

I also recommend seeing Mitsugi Saotome sensei if you are able. He was an Uchi Deshi with O'Sensei and his aikido is stunning. The annual Cherry Blossom seminar in DC might fall within your itinerary schedule and he usually is an instructor there. His health has been declining somewhat and he is into his 80's so chances to see him are limited.

[Nicholas Eschenbruch]

If you are not limited to mainstream Aikikai, you may want to check out Gerard Blaize (senior Hikitsuchi student) and Hervé Dizien (senior Nocquet student) in Paris. I have not trained with the former but he was one of the first western 7th Dans, if not the first. André Cognard is the lineage holder of Kobayashi Hirokazu, not sure he is based in Paris though.

[Cass]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will be checking out all of them in the coming days to fit people in wherever I can :)

The USAF summer camp looks fantastic, but the price point is indeed a bit steep, I will have to check my finances closer to the time. Probably before then I'll pop into NY to train with some of the teachers and see if something more intensive is what I'd be after.

The Kanetsuka seminar sounds perfect for my timing and London is not too far from where I'll be staying - will definitely check it out.

I'll be visiting all the VT dojos to see where I'll train daily for a longer period to see what fits best - re specific area I will be in the Weathersfield VT region.

Garth and Robin, thanks very much for the invitations! If I am in those areas I will be in touch for sure.

Ron and Mary, your dojo doesn't look too far off, I will definitely pop by - I'll send you a PM closer to time to arrange, thank you!

I will definitely keep an eye on Mary Heiny's schedule, hopefully she books a seminar in VT as I am around, would be a great experience.

Too many suggestions to reply to individually, a lot to research, to clarify I am open to just about anything aikido wise, I am from Tissier's style but intend for this to be my kind of "aikido buffet". I am more inclined toward non-yoshinkan non-ki society sort of aikido but I would still be happy to try them too if the opportunity arises.

Thanks again everyone!

[Peter Wong]

If you're going to see William Gleason, you want to visit Yasmasa Itoh. They're both located in near each other in Somerville, Massachusetts. Itoh Sensei was a long time student of the late Mitsunar Kanai Shihan.
The other four on your list you will have to abit of driving. Donovan Waite's dojo is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvain, Harvey Konigsberg's is in Woddstock, New York, Yoshimitsu Yamada and Steve Pimsler are in New York City.
Not only will those four be teaching at U.S.A.F. Summer camp,there will be other top teachers, teaching.You will also get the chance to met students from all over. You have to do the full week, you can do half. week. Something to think about.

Good luck!

[Rupert Atkinson]

If you are of Tissier Sensei - a great start!
Kanetsuka Sensei's old student - Terry Ezra - in Liverpool.
I have seen most of the best in my 37 years' training - Ezra Sensei is well worth a look in.

Great tour! Should get a T-shirt made: Cassia's World Tour ....

[MrIggy]

If you have the time, check out these guys. http://www.neaikikai.org/ . The dojo was started by Mitsunari Kanai, his Aikido was very intense by the videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPcpeZf0yX0 . He passed away unfortunately but if the instructors he left behind him are good as he was you are in for a treat.

In the UK, try with these guys https://www.facebook.com/Aikidoflowing/ , although I don't agree with everything they put out, they do have some valuable real world experience that you might find handy

[philipsmith]

Hi Cassia

you're welcome to drop in and see us while you're in the UK - we have daily classes in the evening Mon -Fri
http://www.aikidodudley.org.uk/

[JJF]

I would suggest that you go practice with Jarkko here: http://nishioaikidolondon.com/

He is a good ambassador for Nishio Aikido which is a unique approach to o'senseis Aikido.
http://nishioaikidolondon.com/

In France you could go visit this dojo: https://www.sakuraaikikai.com/
They have some hi-level instructors - also the NIshio style.

[shuckser]

For your U.K. visit:

Phil Rozier - 5th dan - Brighton Aikikai: www.brightonaikikai.org.uk
Rick Smaridge - 5th dan - South Devon Aikikai: www.smaridge.co.uk

Both Tissier-graded Sensei, although I certainly encourage the attitude of seeing as many different styles and influences as possible!

[robin_jet_alt]

I would suggest that you go practice with Jarkko here: http://nishioaikidolondon.com/

He is a good ambassador for Nishio Aikido which is a unique approach to o'senseis Aikido.
http://nishioaikidolondon.com/

In France you could go visit this dojo: https://www.sakuraaikikai.com/
They have some hi-level instructors - also the NIshio style.

Re Nishio-style, I trained in it for a little over a year and while I eventually decided it wasn't for me, I learned a lot while I was practicing it. If you try it out, keep an open mind and be aware that although you are likely to be unable to grasp the entire (very very complicated) style, you might glean a few valuable tidbits.

[lbb]

If you want to visit some Birankai dojos, Green River Aikido in Greenfield MA, Long Mountain Aikido in Granby MA, and Copper Mountain Aikido in Granby CT are all in striking distance. You'll like New England in the fall.

[NagaBaba]

I'm not sure what is your goal of such training, but it seems to me a bit counterproductive. Each of these teachers (even inside of Ch.Tissier sensei lineage, let alone in other federations) has his distinct methodology and when training with them, you will be forced to develop often contrary abilities, which will be very confusing. And with relatively short stay you will not learn much...

So in the end,your body will learn nothing and you will waste your precious time and cash. Additionally in USA the distances between different dojos are quite important, so you will need a car and some budget for hotels and food. It will be much more expensive than cost of summercamp IMO....hmhm...may be, if you have to go to Vermont, simply stay in one dojo where teaching is close enough to your own style?

[lbb]

Szczepan does have a point about getting around in the US. I'm afraid you'll find our public transportation to be much less than what you're used to, and particularly in areas like Weathersfield VT. Regular training from there will be quite a challenge. Will you have access to a car?

[Riai Maori]

I'm not sure what is your goal of such training, but it seems to me a bit counterproductive.

I totally agree with this statement, especially for a Kyu grade student.:)

[Ellis Amdur]

Cass - I think it's a great idea, and I do not agree at all with the perspective that you should travel across the globe and nestle yourself in one dojo. If that was so, then when one trained at the Aikikai Honbu, I suppose one should quickly decide on one teacher and avoid the classes of all the rest (which is what some people do).

Some of the best experiences of my life were traveling from one dojo to another - first of all, most dojo are really pleased that someone would seek them out - even a beginner - and senpai and the teacher him/herself are often very pleased to make an effort to teach. (For one example, I visited Nakazono sensei's dojo in Santa Fe, on my way to Japan. He was aware that I made a special point to stop in Santa Fe to train at his dojo. He was retired from teaching aikido, leaving teaching to his son, while he pursued other paths (kotodama, acupuncture, and numerous other etc.s) Pleased that someone sought him out, however, he taught the entire week I was there - his students thanked me because this was the first time he'd taught in a long time.

The key to making it valuable is to commit to imitating as best as you can the exact movement and methodology of the teacher whose dojo you are in - no matter how different it is from what you are used to, no matter how 'ineffective' you believe it to be in comparison to what you've done to date.

Yes, some of it will be confusing, some will go right past you, but given you cannot train with Ueshiba Morihei, the root of the art, the best chance you have of comprehending his legacy is to train with a number of the branches.

Ellis Amdur

[MrIggy]

If you're ever in Poland this guy's dojo is worth visiting:

https://senseiaikido.com/2017/12/12/interview-with-piotr-masztalerz-from-the-wroclaw-aikikai/#more-4155

Here are some videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vORM_vilTLg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLLMDNTFYvE

[Janet Rosen]

Cass - I think it's a great idea, and I do not agree at all with the perspective that you should travel across the globe and nestle yourself in one dojo. If that was so, then when one trained at the Aikikai Honbu, I suppose one should quickly decide on one teacher and avoid the classes of all the rest (which is what some people do).

Some of the best experiences of my life were traveling from one dojo to another - first of all, most dojo are really pleased that someone would seek them out - even a beginner - and senpai and the teacher him/herself are often very pleased to make an effort to teach. (For one example, I visited Nakazono sensei's dojo in Santa Fe, on my way to Japan. He was aware that I made a special point to stop in Santa Fe to train at his dojo. He was retired from teaching aikido, leaving teaching to his son, while he pursued other paths (kotodama, acupuncture, and numerous other etc.s) Pleased that someone sought him out, however, he taught the entire week I was there - his students thanked me because this was the first time he'd taught in a long time.

The key to making it valuable is to commit to imitating as best as you can the exact movement and methodology of the teacher whose dojo you are in - no matter how different it is from what you are used to, no matter how 'ineffective' you believe it to be in comparison to what you've done to date.

Yes, some of it will be confusing, some will go right past you, but given you cannot train with Ueshiba Morihei, the root of the art, the best chance you have of comprehending his legacy is to train with a number of the branches.

Ellis Amdur

I second this, as an aikimutt who attended all kinds of seminars and visited all styles of dojos starting at 4th kyu. It took me longer to achieve rank but along the way I quickly learned in my body to adapt to any and all norms - fall via inside foot! No, via outside foot! With toes live! No, with toes untucked! Do this at this angle....or that angle....it meant I could go anywhere and fit in enough to learn something AND start figuring out the principles under them....GO FOR IT

[lbb]

I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea, but I do have to wonder if any of you have ever been to Vermont.

[Peter Goldsbury]

I have been to Vermont, often. I don't know about now, but there were a cluster of dojos in New England attached to the New England Aikikai in the early 70s, when Mitsunari Kanai was in charge in Cambridge. I also used to visit dojos in Montreal and Toronto.

[Cass]

Thank you everyone for the input and suggestions (keep them coming!). I will have access to a car (and accommodation) while I am in VT as my father lives there. One particularly promising opportunity there seems to be an uchi deshi program (very affordable for one, $390 p.m.) with Benjamin Pincus, if anyone has any experience with him they would like to share? Of course I would try visiting the dojo prior to undertaking something like that, but it's certainly tempting (said dojo is 2hrs from where I'll be in VT so just training daily there is not an option).

I also appreciate the concern regarding confusion, but this is more or less similar to what I've done here. I've attended 12 seminars this past year, 6 of which were of other styles (the earliest of these when I was 4th kyu) and have always done my best just to imitate what they show and haven't struggled too much. Also I have visited several dojos of our city all of which have been outside of the circle. I am 2nd kyu for reference so my baseline in aikido is not too shaky so as to be completely lost (though also not that solid). I believe training in multiple styles can bring great perspective and hopefully will aid me in creating an aikido that is "my own". Anyway as far as I am aware there is no presence of any Tissier-lineage senseis in the northeastern US anyway? Or at least certainly not in trainable distance to where I'll be in VT. My greatest concern I suppose is dropping many training hours, I train 12 hours a week at my present dojo and will train 13 at Tissier's, but looking at most VT dojos it looks like 2 or 3 hours a week is the most (except with Pincus) :(. But regardless I will have to "leave" my style in the US, so I want to get as broad of a scope of what the aikido world has to offer as possible.

[lbb]

I'm hoping someone with actual experience with Ben Pincus will speak up; I haven't trained with him, only shared the mat with him (he came down to our place a couple of years ago for a Chiba Sensei memorial/Didier Boyet seminar). You might look for other students of Kanai Sensei for a comparison. You'd also be willing to drop in with us at Green River Aikido in Greenfield MA, but it's quite a bit further away (2.5 hours vs. a little more than an hour to Burlington) and the style is rather different from the Kanai style.