NEWS & EVENTS

         

Chicago Aikikai will host a seminar with George Ledyard (7th Dan, Aikido Eastside) and Chuck Weber (7th Dan, Baltimore Aikido) on September 13-15, 2024.

This seminar is part of Aikido School of Ueshiba (ASU)‘s ongoing series featuring notable instructors holding the rank of nanadan (7th dan / 7th degree black belt) under the banner of “Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward”.

Both Ledyard Sensei and Weber Sensei have a long history as students of Saotome Sensei, and are notable instructors in their own right. We greatly look forward to hosting them.

Cost will be $200 for the seminar. Other details TBD.

 

Participants in Kagami Biraki class on January 19, 2024.

 

Chicago Aikikai hosted its Kagami Biraki event the evening of Friday, January 19. Class was conducted with rotating instructors, starting with Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho Marsha Turner (6th dan), and followed by Andrew Vitale (4th dan), Dwight Sora (3rd dan), Qin Coe (2nd dan), Patrick Miller (1st dan) and Rob Brose (1st dan). Video clips may be viewed on a playlist on the dojo’s YouTube channel.

The party was followed by a potluck dinner and get-together.

Today is Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, and in light of the great Civil Rights leader’s advocacy of nonviolence, Chicago Aikikai would like to invite everyone to an onsite workshop on applying aikido’s principles of nonaggression and transformational engagement to everyday conflicts in the workplace and other interpersonal relationships.

In the “Transforming Conflict into Possibility” workshop, Chicago Aikikai instructor and professional coach Qin Coe will guide participants in simple, fun and gentle Aikido-inspired exercises to experience a more grounded, calm and composed way of being under pressure. This will ideally result in your ability to harmoniously resolve conflicts to everyone’s mutual benefit.

What do you do during conflicts? . . . It’s human to get frustrated, upset, angry, defensive, afraid, or experience other emotions. Fight, flight, freeze instincts are our evolutionary adaptations to changes…we always have a choice on how we actually respond to perceived threats. – Qin

Transforming Conflict into Possibility

with Qin Coe
Date: Sunday, February 25th, 2024
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm Central time
Duration: 3 Hours
Where: Chicago Aikikai
Fee: $40
Click here to register (space limited to 20).
Help us promote the workshop. Please like or forward our Facebook event page to someone you think may benefit. If you have any questions you would like to ask about the workshop on Qin Coe’s work, please e-mail qzaiki at gmail.

 

 

Classes at the Chicago Aikikai scheduled for Tuesday, January 16 (morning and evening) and Wednesday, January 17 (morning) are CANCELLED due to the freezing conditions in and around Chicago.

We look forward to seeing you back in class on Thursday, January 18 and on Friday, January 19 for our January Third Friday class and 2024 Kagami Biraki celebration.

Please keep an eye on your email for updates on classes, given the variability of weather conditions in Chicago. In addition, updates will be posted on the dojo website.

Stay safe in the freezing conditions, everyone!

 

Marsha Turner Sensei

Chief Instructor, Dojo-cho

Chicago Aikikai

Chicago Aikikai members, their families and friends are invited to its annual kagami biraki event, being held on its regular Third Friday class on January 19.

Reflect upon the last year and welcome the new with a round of training, followed by a potluck dinner and social hour.

The event is FREE and open to members of the general public. Newcomers to aikido may observe or try things out. If planning to step on the mat, please wear loose-fitting clothing and bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

If you are on Facebook, feel free to post on our event page to let us know you are coming, or help us share news of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(above: Photos from Chicago Aikikai’s 2023 kagami biraki class)

Kagami Biraki (鏡開き, literally “opening the mirror”) is held by many dojo to officially signify starting practice in the New Year. A special class is held followed by time to eat, drink and socialize. Please see the video below to learn more about this tradition.

 

Chicago Aikikai will be closed from Sunday, December 24 to Monday, January 1 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Regular training will resume on Tuesday, January 2.