Chicago Aikikai is proud to welcome back Tres Hofmeister (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai) for the first time since the pandemic, this time together with Robin Cooper (7th dan, Aikido of Madison), for a special two-instructor seminar.
saotome senseis legacy flyer final webThis is one of four high-level instructor pairings around the U.S. under the umbrella “Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward,” sponsored by Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU). ASU members will have the opportunity to learn from highly dedicated nanadan (7th dan) instructors who trained with Mitsugi Saotome Sensei from his earliest years in this country. Instruction at each seminar will be based on a given theme, reflecting the diverse qualities of Saotome Sensei’s teaching. The theme of our June seminar is “Spontaneous Adaptation to Changing Circumstances.
Tres Hofmeister is a senior instructor at Boulder Aikikai in Boulder, Colorado. He began training in aikido in 1978, and started studying under Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan at Boulder Aikikai in 1980. He is a regular teacher at seminars in the U.S. and abroad, and is also a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method(R).
Robin Cooper is co-chief instructor together with John Stone (6th dan) of Aikido of Madison, which they founded in 1994. Cooper began studying aikido in 1974. In addition to teaching regular classes, her aikido work has including serving persons with disabilities.
Registration and Costs. Preregistration is required. The cost is $200 for all or part of the seminar. Click HERE to register. Attendance limited to 40, so please register early.
Grants are available through ASU for those requiring financial assistance to attend this seminar. See the ASU Grant Program page for information and application.
Schedule. The seminar begins Friday evening and lasts through Sunday noon.
Friday: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm; 3:00pm-5:00pm (followed by Q&A); 6:00 pm- Party at dojo
Sunday: 9:30am-12:30pm
COVID-19 protocols. Vaccination and bivalent booster are required (unless proof of exception provided). Masks optional but may be subject to change.
“Aiki is the ability to recognize circumstances around you and adapt.” —Mitsugi Saotome