Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

Dwight

Teaching Mental Health Strategies with Aikido

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Chicago Aikikai had a nice turnout for the “Aikido & Mental Health” workshop that it hosted at the dojo. The event was organized by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois with sponsorship from Aetna as part of their “TEA Talks” series to spread awareness of therapy and other mental health strategies combined with an introduction to a practice rooted in the Asian American community. Past workshops featured traditional Karate and Muy Thai kickboxing.

(photos by Ellyn Iwaoka)

Aikido instruction was led by Dwight Sora and Qin Coe with support from Chris Dignan and Xiaolu Wang. The therapy and mental health portion was led by and Dr. Ken Kikuchi (psychologist) and Bohao Zhang (licensed professional counselor). Megan Nakano, Executive Director of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, was also on hand to kick things off. Lunch was provided during a break by Tanoshii Sushi restaurant.

A special treat was an appearance by Ellyn Iwaoka, who came to observe the workshop. Ellyn was a member of the Illinois Aikido Club (as Chicago was originallly called) and trained at the dojo in the 1960s (Photo by Megan Nakano. Insert of Ellyn and Jon Eley from a May 1966 Chicago Tribune article).

 

Kagami Biraki 2026 at Chicago Aikikai

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Chicago Aikikai celebrated its last Kagami Biraki in its current space on Friday, January 16. Training was led by a rotation of dan-ranked members, starting with Chief Instructor Marsha Turner Sensei. Guests included friends from Inaka Dojo, Ko Fu Dojo, and Lake County Aikikai.

Afterwards, attendees enjoyed eating and socializing at the traditional pot-luck dinner.

We also made sure not to forget the “biraki” (“opening”) part of Kagami Biraki. Cracking open the ceremonial sake cask. Christian Boswell, who just took his 3rd kyu test, doing the honors.

Vintage Aikido Films on YouTube

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Thanks to the efforts of Chicago Film Archives, the recently rediscovered collection of 1960s era 16 mm films belonging to Illinois Aikido Club is now digitized and we are making them available to the public via YouTube.

First up is a 1969 local NBC news segment highlighting aikido and Illinois Aikido Club when it was on Bryn Mawr Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood. The footage includes class led by late Chief Instructor Isao Takahashi Sensei (1912-1972).

Next are several films featuring pioneering instructor Koichi Tohei Sensei (1920-2011). These include three privately made reels while he was visiting dojo in the US, and a professionally made visual textbook produced in Japan.

We have one more reel to go. However, it is in Japanese and we will be working to provide original subtitles. Stay tuned and check back for updates.