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.
Tres Hofmeister
2025 Seminars at Chicago Aikikai
Please come join us for our last three seminars in our current space
June 6-8
Tres Hofmeister Sensei
7th dan, Senior Instructor at Boulder Aikikai, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU)
Classses: Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), Sunday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Register for full weekend or per class here.
September 12-14
Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan
8th dan, Founder and Chief Instructor of Boulder Aikikai, Aikido Shimbokukai
Classses: Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), Sunday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Register for full weekend or per class here.
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 TBA
Part of a year-long celebration of Saotome Sensei’s 50th years of teaching in the United States.
Classses: Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), Saturday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm), Sunday (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Register for full weekend or per class here. Non-training guests attending Saturday dinner must also register as a “Celebration guest”.
Please note that due to anticipated demand, registration will be closed Friday, September 19.
Financial support to attend available via the ASU grant program.
Chicago Aikikai 2025 Seminars Announcement
Seminar with Tres Hofmeister Sensei (7th dan, Boulder Aikikai)
Click here to register
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