News and Notes
Annual Ikeda Shihan Seminar - December 13 - 15, 2024
16 November 2024
Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan has been a strong supporter of Arizona Aikido for more than half of our 56 years of existence! He returns to Arizona Agatsu Dojo December 13-15, 2024! Ikeda Shihan is seen in this photo taken at the in-person Ikeda Seminar we had in 2019 (Sorry, we don't seem to have a more recent photo!).Please don't miss this opportunity to train with Ikeda Sensei. The seminar will be held at Arizona Aikido's Agatsu Dojo, 939 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. Access to the dojo is easy via the light rail system. Exit at the 7th Avenue Station and the dojo is just a short walk to the west. The light rail is easily accessible from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via the Sky Train. There is plenty of parking at the dojo, as well. The dojo is immediately east of the 11th Avenue traffic light and bus stop on the south side of Camelback Road. December should be beautiful in Phoenix! If you'd like to check it, here's the Phoenix weather. Download a flier. You are welcome to wear a mask while training. We highly recommend that you be vaccinated and boosted for COVID! You can register for the seminar and pay online: Cost for the full seminar is $175. You can choose to attend individual sessions for $45 each. The session schedule is:
Party Saturday Evening at the dojo ($20 per person) Authentic Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki will be served! In the boxes below, select the Seminar only or the Seminar including the Saturday Party, and identify the person attending. Once you complete your selections, you can use the View Cart button to complete your registration and payment. Don't forget to use the drop-down to select BOTH the seminar AND the party!
- Friday evening, December 13, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, December 14, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, December 14, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, December 15, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE - CLASS SCHEDULE***
2 November 2024
Current Class Schedule
- Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Karate
- Monday - 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. - ZOOM Class with Ikeda Sensei - November 18 and 25.
- Tuesday - 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Aikido - A Deeper Look at Ukemi
- Tuesday - 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Aiki Youth Program
- Tuesday - 6:30 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. - Karate
- Wednesday - 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Weapons skills
- Wednesday - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Low-impact Aikido
- Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Aiki Youth Program
- Thursday - 6:30 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. - Karate
- Thursday - 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Aikido, Supplementary Practice, Open mat
- Friday - 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. - Aikido Open Class
- Friday - 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. - Aikido
- Saturday - 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Aikido - Beginner to Advanced.
November 9 - no Saturday class. Dan test at Shori Dojo. You are welcome to wear a mask. Hand sanitizer is available and should be used regularly by everyone! Mats and surfaces are sanitized regularly.
Remembering Tsuneji Sakakibara Sensei
22 July 2024
We remember Sakakibara Sensei fondly on the eleventh anniversary of his death on July 22, 2013. Sakakibara Sensei was very important to Arizona Aikido! After the death of Jon Takagi Sensei in February 1984, Sakakibara Sensei stepped in to fill the role of Chief Instructor. He held the dojo together, brought us back into union with Hombu Dojo, and kept us training. He started the first Fall Mountain Camp in Prescott when he saw the need for us to get away from the Valley, come together as a family, and grieve Takagi Sensei's loss. Eventually, he turned the dojo over to Tom Haines Sensei but continued to teach as Chief Instructor Emeritus. We still miss him immensley and we honor his memory. Read Sensei's biography here.One of the ways we remember him is through the Sakakibara Sensei Memorial Scholarship Fund. If you'd like to donate to the Fund, you may do so using the Donate button below.
Kagami Biraki Promotions of Note
14 January 2024
We are extremely pleased to announce the following Kagami Biraki promotions for dojo members:
- Yoshi Kumagai Sensei - 5th dan
- Amir Moayedpardazi Sensei - 5th dan
Special Seminar with Chetan Prakash Sensei!
4 January 2024
Chetan Prakash, 6 dan ASU, is Chief Instructor of Redlands Aikikai in Redlands, California. He is a founding member of the Executive Board of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. In 2012, Prakash Sensei was named a member of the Ueshiba Juku by Saotome Shihan. You can read more about Prakash Sensei in the flyer, which you can download a here. The seminar will be held at Arizona Aikido's Agatsu Dojo, 939 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. Access to the dojo is easy via the light rail system. Exit at the 7th Avenue Station and the dojo is just a short walk to the west. The light rail is easily accessible from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport via the Sky Train. There is plenty of parking at the dojo, as well. The dojo is immediately east of the 11th Avenue traffic light and bus stop on the south side of Camelback Road. January should be beautiful in Phoenix! If you'd like to check it, here's the Phoenix weather. You can register for the seminar and pay online: Cost for the full seminar is $100. You can choose to attend individual sessions for $30 each. The session schedule is:
- Friday evening, January 12, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, January 13, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, January 13, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, January 14, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Arizona Aikido Students - Pay Your Aikido Schools of Ueshiba Dues via PayPal
10 December 2023
We set up a page for you to pay your Aikido Schools of Ueshiba dues via PayPal. Note that you don't need a PayPal account to accomplish this; you may just use your credit or debit card. Go here to pay via PayPal. (Note that we will charge you a little bit extra to cover the Paypal fee!) Of course, you can still pay your ASU dues the old fashioned way - with cash or a check!
Seminar with Lia Suzuki, 6th dan
23 July 2023
We had a GREAT seminar with Lia Suzuki Sensei September 29, 30, and October 1, 2023 We are looking forward to our next opportunity to train with her!
Annual Ikeda Sensei Seminar - December 9 - 11, 2022
11 December 2022
Party Saturday Evening at the dojo (Suggested donation of $20) Authentic Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki will be served! Can't make it to Phoenix for this seminar? Register for the Zoom sessions. All three days for $75! Register for Zoom HERE:
- Friday evening, December 9, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday morning, December 10, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- Saturday afternoon, December 10, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday morning, December 11, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Arizona Aikido - Matsuri Video
10 March 2021
Arizona Aikido participated in the Virtual Matsuri in Phoenix this year. What you see here is the video presentation we made. If you are interested in learning Aikido, reach us through our Contact Us link.
*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***
9 November 2020
Here are some guidelines as to how we'll behave in the dojo:
- Wear your gi to the dojo or have only one person in a changing area at a time. We may also use the bathrooms and shower room to change.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after training.
- You are required to wear a mask. This is more to protect others than it is to protect yourself.
- Sanitize weapons before and after use with Lysol.
- Don't trade weapons with another person; continue using the weapons you are using.
- Try to maintain a six-foot separation from others who are training.
- Launder your gi after each use. If you don't have a clean gi to wear, wear street clothes, but launder those afterward, as well.
I know this seems like a bit of a load to put on everyone, but we need to be cautious as we move into this new paradigm.
We will ask you to sign a COVID-19 waiver. We feel this is a necessary precaution on our part.
Also remember, if you don't feel comfortable coming to training at this time, don't! It's OK. You need to do what you need to do. Please do stay in touch!
Training will be a bit different from what it was before this pandemic started, but flexibility is one of the characteristics of the Aikidoka (Aikido practitioner). Let's continue the journey!
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