Lake County Aikikai

08/30/2026

Great training opportunity!

08/27/2026

https://milwaukeeshobukan.com/upcoming-events-and-seminars/

Robert began his aikido study in 1984 and holds the rank of rokudan (6th dan). He is a personal student of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and is especially known for his precise and powerful weapons work, graceful movement, and clear teaching. Robert has been training and teaching at Aikido Shobukan Dojo (A...

08/18/2026

This is the last week of classes for the summer session. Registration is currently open for YMC members now and for general public on the 24th.

08/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LPHsTbf3f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

"Most people think about promotions and ranking in terms of rungs on a ladder. In fact, it's more like the expansion of a sphere."

Saotome Sensei, as recalled by Julie "Jet" Tollen

In our summer newsletter, Julie Tollen, one of the instructors at Tampa Aikido, wrote about what an Aikido promotion actually means. Not the technical checklist, but the inner work that leads up to a test, what the kanji on your certificate really say, and the traditional etiquette of receiving one.

Julie has penned thousands of names on ASU kyu certificates since 2015, and the essay includes a full translation and transliteration of a sandan certificate, something most of us have never seen written down.

The complete article is on the Tampa Aikido site:
https://tampaaikido.com/articles/a-deeper-meaning-for-promotions-in-aikido/

Tampa Aikido

07/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JXqsLmFrN/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ASU Winter Intensive will be held at the Sirata Resort from January 6 to January 10, 2027. 🗓
Registration for ASU Winter Intensive is now open for individuals and groups. ASU is pleased to announce the intensive will be led by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and will feature Kimberly Richardson Sensei and Gary Small Sensei as guest instructors! 🥋🎊
As always, bringing your dojo friends helps you save – register four members and the fifth person is free.
Individual : winterintensive.com/wi2###x/individual-registration-jan/
Group : winterintensive.com/wi2###x/registration-group/
We are looking forward to seeing you on the sugar-white sands of the Sirata resort. 🏖
Room bookings will fill up quickly, so we recommend making your arrangements in advance!
Our group has secured a block of rooms at a discounted rate – please mention "AIKIDO SCHOOLS OF UESHIBA 2027 ROOM BLOCK” when speaking with Sirata staff or register online using the link below. For those who may prefer upgraded accommodations, please contact Jakeya Roberts at 727.363.5230.

winterintensive.com/wi2###x/sirata-beach-resort-2027/

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July to all. There will be no class today. Enjoy time with your loved ones. Classes resume next week Wednesday and Saturday.

05/09/2026

A great morning class. Thank you to those who attended. Today We discussed, demonstrated, and worked Atemi, and various parts of our body that we can strike with. Stressing correct bone and body alignment. Incorporating strike shields for students to feel what it is like to hit and Pointing out many opportunities for striking within our aikido techniques. In addition, to the various targets on the human body, and possible stimuli, reactions, and or results of striking certain areas .

We also took it a little further and explored reversals from a mounted position and also what is commonly called a sit out position or a type of Kasa Gatome with a shoulder lock.

Ultimately we discussed the evolution of Aikido both pre war and post war.

As Saotome Shihan has always stressed Aikido is a martial art.! Yes it can be peaceful and harmonious through blending with your partner. Yet at the same time it can also be very effective and applicable from its martial roots. It is important to know and study both. More important though is to have the mindset for a given situation you just might find yourself in never give up.

Thanks for training.

04/30/2026

https://mailchi.mp/67116d82cf59/lcaikikai-2026-3

The Lake County Aikikai is an non profit organization dedicated to the teachings of the Japanese art