Annual ASU Winter Intensive

As we leave Winter Intensive and start 2026 in earnest, we wish to express our deep gratitude to Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, and Lee Crawford Sensei for their in-depth instruction. We’re indebted to Chuck Weber Shihan, George Ledyard Shihan, Tres Hofmeister Shihan, and Raso Hultgren Shihan and ASU Board members for their insights. And we thank each of those who participated in our five-day celebration of Aikido and community.

We hope to see you next year!

If you’re still working out arrangements for hotel rooms and transport to the Sirata, don’t overlook the ASU Winter Intensive Slack channels for room-sharing and ride-sharing. If you haven’t used Slack in previous years, please use this link to setup your Slack account and start communicating!

Slack

George Ledyard Shihan rounds out the roster of 7th Dan instructors at Winter Intensive this year! There's still time to get your registration completed ⬇️
https://winterintensive.com/.../individual-registration-jan/
George Ledyard Shihan began his Aikido studies in 1976 under the direct instruction of Mitsugi Saotome and has continued this association ever since. Ledyard Shihan currently holds the rank of 7th Dan in Aikido and Shodan in Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. He counts Hiroshi Ikeda, William Gleason, Howard Popkin, Mary Heiny, Tom Read, Endo Seichiro, and Dan Harden as strong influences on his Aikido.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NygPGkbt0U

Aikido Sword - Kumi-Iai - 1 - Horizontal Cut - George Ledyard George Ledyard demonstrates Kumi Iai Form #1. Defense against a vertical draw and cut.

We’re just a few days away from the December 19 deadline to sign up for the Winter Intensive dinner party. The dinner party this year will be a 3 hour dinner cruise on a yacht with a dining room, sit down dinner with menu options and full service, and a bar and social area for dancing!
Party on the water with your friends on the mat!

Dinner Reservations – ASU Winter Intensive Dinner ReservationsThe dinner party this year will be a 3 hour dinner cruise on a yacht with a dining room, sit down dinner with menu options and full service, and a bar and social area for dancing! The dinner cruise will include a full meal with salad, bread, entree and dessert as well as your boa...

Sensei Tres Hofmeister - Exploring Freedom At The Point Of Connection Excerpts from the December 7-9, 2017 seminar by Sensei Tres Hofmeister exploring neutrality at the point of connection with katatedori (same-side wrist grab)...

Deadlines are coming up fast!

Don't procrastinate! Sunday, 12/14/25, is the LAST DAY to score a t-shirt with your Winter Intensive 2026 registration! Shirts are available in navy or sage and feature Saotome Sensei's calligraphy on the back.

A limited number of shirts will be available for sale during the event. 👕⏳

Chuck Weber Shihan, 7th Dan, 2015 ASU Demo Chuck Weber Shihan, 7th Dan and Senior Instructor at Baltimore Aikido, Demonstrating Aikido. Babacar Faye, uke.

Deadlines are coming up fast!

Winter Intensive starts this month! Here are upcoming deadlines to make the most of your experience.

December 28 is the final deadline for registration, either as an individual or a group member. (Registration of a group has closed.) Spots are filling up fast! Use the link below to complete your registration
https://winterintensive.com/wi2 # # /individual-registration-jan/

December 14 will be the last day to receive a complimentary t-shirt with your registration! After this date, they will be available for purchase on site while supplies last.

December 19 will be the last day to sign up for the dinner cruise on Saturday, January 3. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and the dance floor on a gorgeous evening cruise. Tickets can be purchased at the link below
https://winterintensive.com/wi2 # # /dinner-reservations/

Final Week for Winter Intensive Hotel Reservations

The cutoff date for our Winter Intensive group rate at the Sirata Resort is Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 11p EST. The number of rooms still available in our block can be counted on your fingers! Book now and join us for a fun-filled week of outstanding aikido training in the Florida sun.