Lake County Aikikai

09/12/2026

Sensei Tseng would often emphasis hamni (left, right) footwork. proper hammi, good ashi-sabaki (footwork) is one of our foundations, and we build from that. Keep training 💪 👣

09/10/2026

They just keep coming!
Local October training opportunity
Milwaukee Shobukan

09/10/2026

Another great chance to train locally in Nov!

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

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