A martial arts exploration for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Sunday, May 25 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
At Chicago Aikikai, 1444 W. Chicago Ave.
Led by Dwight Sora and Qin Coe
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join us for a special event exploring leadership and resilience through the lens of Aikido, a Japanese martial art rooted in harmony, presence, and dynamic non-aggression.
Doors open 10:00 am. From 10:30- 11:30am, experience a dynamic introductory class led by instructors Dwight Sora (4th degree black belt) and Qin Coe (2nd degree blackbelt) at Chicago Aikikai – a hidden gem of Japanese cultural heritage in the city. All bodies and experience levels are welcome.
From 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, take part in a workshop conversation connecting Aikido principles to daily leadership and personal strength. We’ll reflect on the legacy of Asian American resilience and how these traditions can guide us through conflict, change, and challenge.
After class ends at 12:30 pm is time for sōji (dojo cleaning) and asking questions. In Japan, it is traditional for students to clean the dojo after class to show their thanks and respect. We ask all participants to join in cleaning, unless they have a pressing time commitment.
[If you navigated here from Chicago Asian Network, please note that the times have been modified since the original posting.]
Click here to register for free. Suggested donation $10 – 25 to our new building fund. Cash or check accepted, or donate online. Walk-ins also welcome.
Wear comfortable clothing. No experience necessary – just curiosity and an open heart.
About the instructors
Dwight Sora (空ドワイト) is a Chicago-based Japanese-English document translator and actor. He provided Japanese language spport for the Engineering Department of Yaskawa Electric America (YEA) in Buffalo Grove for five years before going freelance. As an actor, he has appeared onstage in Chicago with Filament Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Strawdog Theatre Company, Lifeline Theatre, Raven Theatre Chicago, and understudied for Token Theatre, Silk Road Cultural Center, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He has also served as fight choreographer for Mercury Theatre Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, and Theatre-Hikes and was an onstage combatant for Lyric Opera Chicago.
Dwight has a B.A. from the Department of East Asian Lanuages & Civilizations at University of Chicago. He started studying Aikido in 1993 while on a foreign studies program at Waseda University in Tokyo, training with the university Aikido Club and at World Aikido Headquarters (Hombu Dojo). He is a fourth-generation Japanese American (by way of Hawaii) on his father’s side, and second-generation Korean American on his mother’s side.
Learn more about Dwight and his journey in aikido in the video “Homecoming -A Yonsei Man’s Journey To Heritage“
Qin Coe (郑琴) is a champion for her clients’ highest capacity. As an Executive and Leadership coach, she partners with executives, founders, and leaders from Fortune 100 companies, start-ups, to non-profit organizations. She has served in coaching and mentorship capacities for organizations such as South By Southwest, Dollar General, Motorola, Morningstar, and Chicago Innovation. She most recently held the role as the Head of Customer Success in a SaaS company, and has served clients in Finance and Technology in various capacities including customer success, sales, product management, and operations.
Qin holds a PhD of Physical Chemistry from the University of Chicago. A solid C student in PE, she gained confidence training in Aikido starting 2002. She immigrated to the United States from China to pursue her graduate studies.
Learn more about Qin and how she applies aikido to her professional life in the video “What Did Aikido Teach Me About Power?”
If you are interested in learning more about Chicago Aikikai, check out “The Asian American Roots of Chicago Aikikai and Aikido in Chicago” or visit our YouTube channel to view “A History of Chicago Aikikai“.