Boulder Aikikai
Thank you Tres Hofmeister Sensei
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.
Congratulations to New ASU Shihan
World Aikido Headquarters (Hombu Dojo) has officiallly recognized several nanadan (7th degree black belt) instructors within our parent organization, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), as Shihan (Master Instructors). These include Tres Hofmeister (Boulder Aikikai) and Robin Cooper (Aikido of Madison), guest instructors at our 2023 Nanadan Seminar, and George Ledyard (Aikido Eastside) and Chuck Weber (Baltimore Aikido), guest instructors at our 2024 Nanadan Seminar. Congratulations to all. The complete list of those recognized may be found at the ASU website.
Seminar with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (池田裕師範)
Chicago Aikikai enthusiastically welcomes back Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai) for his annual three-day seminar in the Windy City, September 15 – 17, 2023. Aikido students of all levels and affiliations are welcome to register for training. Observers may watch for free. [Read more…] about Seminar with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (池田裕師範)
June 2023 Nanadan Seminar Pictures
Chicago Aikikai had a great turnout for its Nanadan seminar with instructors Tres Hofmeister (Boulder Aikikai) and Robin Cooper (Aikido of Madison) on June 9-11. Old and new friends from around the country turned up for a fun and informative weekend of training, exchange, making connections and renewing old ones.
Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward
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. [Read more…] about Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward