Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

NEWS & EVENTS

Thank you Tres Hofmeister Sensei

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Great seminar this past weekend with Tres Hofmeister Sensei (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai). Terrific turnout from many of our fellow dojo and everything went smoothly thanks to all the Chicago Aikikai members who worked on the event.

Congratulations also to Chicago Aikikai members who took their dan tests this past week at the seminar: Satoko Bourdaughs (shodan), Rob Brose (nidan), and Eric Sirota (shodan).

We also celebrated  Tres Hofmeister Sensei’s recent recognition as a Shihan by Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) with a cake after dinner on Saturday of the seminar.

Also, special shoutout to Chicago Aikikai member Joe Guerrier (below left, pictured in a 2024 publicity shot) who injured his leg earlier in the week and was unable to train at the Tres Hofmeister seminar, but was there everyday going the extra mile working registration, T-shirt sales, food prep and cleanup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit from Ko Fu Dojo

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Chicago Aikikai received a visit from several members of Ko Fu Dojo – Aikido Club in New Lenox who joined in 10:00 am morning class with Marsha Turner Sensei on Saturday, May 31.

10-year Memorial for Don Levine Sensei

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The Genkikai Aikido Club at University of Chicago will hold a memorial class on Thursday, May 8 in honor of the late Don Levine Sensei (1931-2015). Levine Sensei began studying aikido in 1979 and served as head instructor of the University of Chicago Aikido Club (now closed) from the late 1980s. He was promoted to the rank of yondan (4th degree black belt) under Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) in 2003. He passed away on April 4, 2015 after a long illness (click here for UChicago obituary).

 

During Levine Sensei’s leadership, the Aikido Club maintained an open atmosphere, welcoming students of all affiliations (including the Genkikai Aikido Club). It also had an ongoing relationship with regional ASU dojo. Chicago Aikikai’s Kevin Choate Sensei and Marsha Turner Sensei both guest instructed at the club, as did Inaka Dojo’s Wendy Whited Sensei and Kay Sandacz Sensei. When Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan came to town from Boulder Aikikai to teach an annual weekend seminar at Chicago Aikikai, he would arrive a day early and teach the Thursday night class on campus. Many members of the Aikido Club went on to become long-time students. Current Chicago Aikikai senior members Qin Coe, Tod Olson and Dwight Sora all trained under Levine Sensei, as did Kraig Rice at Aikido at Valhalla in Santa Barbara, CA.

 

For a time, the Aikido Club also hosted an annual seminar with Frank Doran Shihan of Aikido West in Redwood City, CA.

 

In addition to leading the Aikido Club, Levine Sensei also taught a for-credit course, Conflict Theory and Aikido, starting in 1986. The course combined training in aikido principles with studying texts addressing how to neutralize social conflicts (Levine Sensei was a professor of sociology).  He was also founding president of Aiki Extensions Inc., a non-profit organization that networks and supports individuals involved with “off-the-mat” aikido applications.

 

The memorial class will be held at 7:00 pm at Henry Crown Field House, led by Kagan Arik Sensei of Genkikai Aikido Club, who will also provide an opening dedication to Levine Sensei. Any non-University of Chicago students or faculty interested in attending must contact Tod Olson (olson.tod@gmail.com) by Tuesday, May 6 in order to access the building.

 

10-year Memorial class for Don Levine Sensei

Thursday, May 8, 7:00 PM

Genkikai Aikido Club, University of Chicago

Henry Crown Field House

5550 S. University Ave

 

Suggested reading by or about Don Levine Sensei

Group offers new solution to Mid East peace process: Aikido (The Chicago Maroon, February 2004)

How One Aikido Sensei Changed My Life (and 17 of His Life Lessons) (Observer, January 2016)

Endpaper; The Liberal Arts and the Martial Arts by Don Levine (The New York Times, April 1985)