NEWS & EVENTS

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.

 

Dear Chicago Aikikai Members,

2023 is almost over, marking 60 or 62 years for the dojo, depending on when you start counting. A lot of effort went into both training and maintaining our space – from teaching, test prep and cleaning to PR, demos and seminars. Thank you to all from our Chief Instructor to our newest beginners for being a part of it.

If you want to catch some final training for the year, there’s still four more classes to go: two Thursday night (12/21) with Andrew Vitale, and two Saturday morning (12/23) with Dwight Sora.

Looking forward to 2024, we will be holding our kagami biraki to officially usher in the New Year at our Third Friday class on January 19. Also, our first seminar of the year is already set: Tres Hofmeister (Boulder Aikikai, 7^th dan) will be returning June 7-9. ASU Grants are also available for the 2024 Summer Camp in DC, the Shrine Sessions, Nanadan Seminars and Winter Intensive 2025 (applications accepted for one month once registration has opened).

We were very well received at this year’s Ginza Holiday Festival at Midwest Buddhist Temple, and may be invited back in August 2024. We might also have an opportunity to do a demo at the Anime Magic Convention August 30-September 1 thanks to Eric Sirota’s contacts.

We’re still in post-pandemic recovery and need to boost our membership. Be sure to note and share our current membership packages, new flyers and Sunday intros. As always, it always helps to like/subscribe our Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube pages. Plus, it’s not too late to contribute to our Donation Challenge!

Aikido is not easy. Not in learning, teaching or operating a dojo. It has less written rules than many of its fellow arts, which can be quite freeing, but also confusing (plus there’s a bunch of unwritten cultural rules). Therefore, cheers to everyone for your perseverance, your continual willingness to step outside your comfort zone, and most of all, your presence. In the spirit of shinchoku (進捗) or progress, let us move forward into 2024.

 

On behalf of the senior instructors of Chicago Aikikai.

Dwight Sora, your humble website/social media manager

 

 Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year

 

Some 2023 Highlights

Testing/Promotion

Christian Boswell (6th kyu)

Joe Guerrier (5th kyu)

Bill Rowe (3rd kyu)

Yvonne Matos (6th kyu)

Eric Sirota (1st kyu)

Martha Turner (5th kyu)

Kate Warren (5th kyu)

New members 

Philip Bell

Michael Buss

Chris Dignan and daughter Allie

Joe Guerrier and daughter Dahlia (Dee Dee).

Aaron Heard

Brian Kron

Maxwell Novoselac
Andrew Rathgeber

 

Other
– Farewell and good luck to Martha Turner on relocating abroad. Thank you for all your work on the dojo website these past years.

– Warm welcome back to Satoko Bourdaghs after returning from an extended stay in Japan

Group photo of attendees of a seminar taught by Chicago Aikikai Member Qin Coe (2nd dan) on Saturday, December 2nd at
North Shore Aikido.

A donation match challenge has just been issued to the dojo!

If the dojo can raise $500 before December 31, 2023, we have a pledge for a 1-to-1 match. Which means we could raise a total of $1000 in less than three weeks! And, of course, anything you donate to the dojo is tax deductible (check with your tax advisor) as the dojo is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.

To participate in the December Donation Match Challenge, there are two ways to donate

1. Mail a check to the dojo (include a note about the Donation Match):
2. Dojo PayPal link (indicate that payment is for Donation Match)

 

Marsha Turner

Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho

Chicago Aikikai (Illinois Aikido Club)