Chicago Aikikai aikido dojo

An inclusive community for exploring the Japanese martial art of aikido

martial arts

2025 Seminars at Chicago Aikikai

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June 6-8

Tres Hofmeister Sensei

7th dan, Senior Instructor at Boulder Aikikai, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)

Details and registration TBA

 

 

September 12-14

Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan

8th dan, Founder and Chief Instructor of Boulder Aikikai, Aikido Shimbokukai

Details and registration TBA

 

 

October 3-5

Mitsugi Saotome Shihan

Uchi deshi of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba, Founder and Chief Instructor of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)

Seminar will also feature classes taught by ASU Senior Instructors

Part of a year-long celebration of Saotome Sensei’s 50th years of teaching in the United States.

Details and registration TBA. Financial support to attend available via the ASU grant program.

 

Thank you to our Nanadan guest instructors!

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Chicago Aikikai had a great seminar September 13-15 with guest instructors George Ledyard (7th dan, Aikido Eastside) and Chuck Weber (7th dan, Baltimore Aikido). Both instructors, senior students of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, brought their years of experience and insight to classes focusing on the fundamentals and keys to practicing randori (乱取り; multiple person attacks). The seminar, titled “Aikido Beyond Thought”  is part of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)‘s ongoing series of Nanadan (7th degree black belt) seminars under the banner of “Bringing Saotome Sensei’s Legacy Forward“.

Our deepest gratitude to Ledyard Sensei, Weber Sensei, and of course Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) and all the guests who attended.

Chicago Aikikai at Ginza Holiday Festival

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Ginza Holiday Festival demo team.
LtoR: Rob Brose, Satoko Bourdaghs, Qin Coe, Dwight Sora, Eric Sirota, Philip Bell (not pictured: Randy Smith)

Chicago Aikikai received a warm reception for its demonstrations on the Friday night and Saturday afternoon of the annual Ginza Holiday Festival held July 26-28 at the Midwest Buddhist Temple.

Obligatory goofy shot

Nanadan Seminar with George Ledyard Sensei and Chuck Weber Sensei

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Click here to register.

Please note registrations limited to 50.

 

SCHEDULE:

Friday evening

6:30pm-7:25 – 55 min

Break 10 min

7:35pm-8:30pm – 55 min

Saturday morning

9:30am-10:45am – 75 min

Break 15 min

11:00am-12:15pm – 75 min

Group photo following circle after class

2 hr lunch break – 12:30pm-2:30pm

Saturday afternoon

2:30pm-3:45 – 75 min

Break 15 min

4:00pm-5:15pm – 75 min

Evening party / food at the dojo 6pm+

 

Sunday morning

9:30am-10:45am – 75 min

Break 15 min

11:00am-12:15pm – 75 min