Chicago Aikikai members Dwight Sora and Christian Boswell will facilitate a workshop introducing aikido concepts to actors for use in stage combat and fight choreography, as well as a means of focusing and relaxing, on Friday, September 29 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Those interested are asked to pre-register here. The dojo is requesting a $15.00 suggested donation for the workshop. [Read more…] about Partnering Movement – Applying Aikido to Acting and Stage Combat
Chicago Aikikai
Change in Instructors at Future Leaders Seminar Series Midwest
It was previously announced that Qin Zheng Coe would be teaching at the Future leaders Seminar Series Midwest. We just received this update from the seminar’s sponsor, Aikido Shimbokukai.
“July 30 Future Leaders seminar update!
Due to a family situation Qin Coe Sensei will unfortunately not be able to join us. Instead, also from the Chicago Aikikai and ASU, Patrick Miller Sensei will be our lead-off instructor at the event July 30. [Read more…] about Change in Instructors at Future Leaders Seminar Series Midwest
New Class with Qin Zheng Coe
Starting July 2, Qin Zheng Coe (Nidan) will begin teaching a special class held every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 10 to 11 am. The focus of the class will vary.
Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival
Chicago Aikikai has been invited to demonstrate at this year’s Ginza Holiday Japanese cultural festival held at the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT). The Aikikai will perform two demos at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 11 and at 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 12. This will be the temple’s first full-scale festival in three years, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The temple is located at 435 W. Menomonee St., Chicago, IL 60614.
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.


The Asian American Roots of Chicago Aikikai and Aikido in Chicago
“To practice Aikido fully, you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.”
-Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
Aikido, a martial way
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so it seems like a good time to turn back the clock and look at the Asian American origins of Chicago Aikikai and its place in bringing the Japanese martial art of aikido to the Windy City. [Read more…] about The Asian American Roots of Chicago Aikikai and Aikido in Chicago