As quoted in Aikido Journal: “In 1955, Yoshimitsu Yamada was accepted to the Hombu Dojo uchi deshi program (live-in apprentice) at age 18. He studied directly under the founder, as well as Kissomaru Ueshiba, Koichi Tohei, Kisaburo Osawa and other legendary masters. Yamada Shihan (8th dan) came to the United States in 1964 and has been one of the most important and influential instructors and ambassadors for the art of aikido in the United States and across the globe. He is chief instructor of the New York Aikikai and chief instructor and technical director of the United States Aikido Federation, the largest aikido organization in the United States. In March 2019, Yamada Sensei sat down with Josh Gold to share his thoughts with the Aikido Journal community.”
Aikido Journal Interview with Yamada Sensei
April 8, 2019 by
2019 USAF Summer Camp Registration Is Open!
March 20, 2019 by
We are excited to once again host Yamada Sensei, Osawa Sensei, the USAF Technical Committee and Instructors for our 2019 Summer Camp
from Sunday, July 28th to Saturday, August 3th.
We will be returning to the newly renovated Seaview Dolce Hotel, located at 401 South New York Road, Galloway, New Jersey. To accommodate Aikido camp participants, their family and friends, the hotel has blocked off a number of rooms at a discounted rate, including a very limited number of rooms for arrival prior to camp on Saturday, July 27th.
You are encouraged to register for a Camp Package and book your hotel room as soon as possible. Although you will have to pay for your Camp Package in full at the time of registration, you will not incur charges for your hotel reservation until your actual stay. The DEADLINE for registration is Friday, June 21st but the blocked off USAF discounted hotel rooms may be fully occupied prior to the deadline. Information about purchasing day fees can be found through the registration link below.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: DAN TESTING WILL BE HELD MID-WEEK (WEDNESDAY). IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON TESTING AT CAMP, MAKE SURE YOU BOOK YOUR PACKAGE ACCORDINGLY. TESTING AT CAMP FOR DAN RANK REQUIRES AT LEAST 1/2 WEEK CAMP ATTENDANCE.
Each year, the USAF allots scholarships to 10 recipients for the aikido-portion of camp. We need your help in insuring that all USAF members are aware of this opportunity, and encourage you to share the information with all members at your dojo. The application and information can be found here: Scholarship Application (deadline was April 30th)
Our on-line site provides an easy registration process, and allows you to register more than one person at a time and complete your payment without leaving the site.
For more information and to proceed with your registration, click here:
We look forward to seeing you at camp!
USAF launches Youtube page!
March 11, 2019 by
We are excited to announce the launching of our official USAF YouTube channel! Past and future summer camp videos will be posted here, for free access to the aikido community and the general public.
2018 was the first camp where the footage was created for an internet presence, rather than a DVD. We will continue to explore how to best present our classes in this new format, and look forward to sharing the excellent instruction provided at our summer camps with aikidoka around the world.
Check out our page here and don’t forget to subscribe! Any help spreading the news would be appreciated!
USAF Summer Camp 2019 Is Gearing up!
January 30, 2019 by
Save the date, stay alert, stay posted, and stay tuned. Information about registration will follow soon.
Another USAF summer camp not to be missed!
How to Make a Donation to the USAF
November 19, 2018 by
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As the year comes to an end, we wanted remind you that the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) is constantly striving to do as much as possible for its members with the resources at hand. For those of you who are in a position to express your generosity and support by making a donation, the following link will bring you to our donations page: usafaikidonews.com/donate-to-the-usaf/ Please feel free to pass this information on to other fellow aikidoka. As we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all donations are 100% tax deductible. We would be grateful for any donations towards preserving the legacy of the USAF. With warm regards, The USAF Board of Directors |
Dan Promotions Mailed to Aikikai January 1 – August 18th, 2018
October 11, 2018 by
Test applications mailed to Aikikai Hombu Dojo between January 1st 2018 and August 18th, 2018 (some listings represent applications prior to Hombu approval)
Shodan
- Randy Abramowitz – Suffolk Aikikai
- David Beyea – Ottawa Aikikai
- Peter Chafe – Aikido Institute of Newfoundland
- Brian Chilton – Portland Aikikai
- Alexander Fuentes Corrales – Aikido Curacao
- Brian Cox – Albany Aikido
- Bryn Davies – Aikido de la Montagne
- Larry Dobbs – West Georgia Aikikai
- Brent Goodroe – Aikido of Charlotte
- Raul Gutierrez – Midwest Aikido Center
- Oliver Hauser – Harvard Aikikai
- David Hill – Fudoshin Aikikai
- Steve Kampton – Aikido of Nassau County
- Mardi Kidwell – Portsmouth Aikido
- Sally Kiebdaj – Harvard Aikikai
- Alon Koppel – Woodstock Aikido
- James Liao – Newport Beach Aikikai
- Robert Loftin – Plano Aikido Center
- Sarah Lowe – Aikido of Denton
- Joseph Marengi – Aikido of Austin
- Andrew Melnick – New Castle Aikikai
- John Moore – Savannah Aikikai
- Kristen Muller – Aikido of New Paltz
- Rachel Narowlansky – Notting Hill Aikikai
- Jennifer Owczarek – PAPA Aikido USA
- Steve Owczarek – PAPA Aikido USA
- Chris Poon – Aikido North Jersey
- Evan Price – Raleigh Aikikai
- Raghu Rau – San Francisco Aikikai
- Yannick Riezman – Aikido Center of Atlanta
- Bachar Rifai – Plano Aikido Center
- Dwight Sparks – Aikido Institute of Newfoundland
- Philippe St. Onge – McGill Aikido
- Clarence Tyler Stevens – Aikido North Jersey
- Jeffrey Tanner – New Castle Aikikai
- Aaron Targonski – Glen Ellyn Aikido Club
- Theresa Tauscher – Aikido of Chester County
- Chelsea Tengrove – Boston Aikikai
- John Thompson – Aikido of Denton
- Charles Thomsen – Davis Aikikai
- Ross Tompkins – Open Sky Aikikai
- Anthony Vegelante – Shodokan
- Richard Westcott – Aikido Institute of Newfoundland
- Tony Willeford – Aikido of Denton
Nidan
- Richard Arbas – Aikido North Jersey
- Jared Burke – Maru Aikikai South
- Manuel de Joya – Midwest Aikido Center
- Parviz Ghahramani – Aikido Schools of New Jersey
- Wini Hamilton – Seattle Aikikai
- Christopher Knight – Shodokan
- Edward Lin – New York Aikikai
- Marco Llamazares – Ottawa Aikikai
- Roselyn Maynard – Notting Hill Aikikai
- Shailendra Pradham – Central Illinois Aikikai
- W Charles Pyke – Aikido of Dallas
- Kym Salameh – Aikido de la Montagne
- Abel Samiky – Toronto Aikikai
- Julio Soares – Central Illinois Aikikai
- Gabriel Szraibman – Aikido de la Montagne
Sandan
- Crystal Aldrich – Aikido North Jersey
- Joshua Blake – Framingham Aikikai
- Liliane Bourgouin – Aikido de la Montagne
- George Faulkner – Aikido of Ashland
- Neal Alexander Harrison – Newport Beach Aikikai
- Gerry Heckler – New Castle Aikikai
- Arthur Hoffman – Albany Aikido
- John Kivlehan – Summit View Aikido
- David Janacone – New Castle Aikikai
- Khalid Laraki – Aikido of Chester County
- Steven Lasher – Aikido of Central New York
- Pamela Moschioni – Aikido of Dallas
- Thomas Myron – Maru Aikikai South
- Christopher Niskala – Framingham Aikikai
- Ross Setlow – Albany Aikido
- Slawomir Swierzbinski – Toronto Aikikai
Yondan
- Joao Alcantara – Newport Beach Aikikai
- Christopher Bradow – Long Island Aikikai
- Michael Lum – Aikido of Houston
- Joanne Recca – Aikido of Nassau County
- Steve Sandage – San Francisco Aikikai
- Janice Taitel – Aikido Center of Dover
- Tommy Lee White – Skylands Aikikai
USAF Update from Summer Camp Meetings
August 29, 2018 by
(Last week the letter below was circulated to Chief Instructors regarding the recent summer camp meetings and updates. It has since been decided that sharing the information with the USAF community at large would be helpful to all members. Keeping our full membership updated is key to furthering everyone’s understanding of how the USAF works as an umbrella organization. We hope that by sharing what the Board and Technical Committee work on in the present reflects that a strong foundation is also being built for the future.)Dear USAF Members:
It’s hard to believe another Summer Camp has come and gone. The week was hugely successful in attendance, practice, and spirit! During camp, both the Board of Directors and the Technical Committee held their semi-annual meetings and there was an instructors’ meeting on Wednesday after the dan tests. As part of a continuous effort to keep Chief Instructors informed of ongoing discussions that effect the USAF, here is a summary of what was discussed at the various meetings:
- Financials -The Board’s review of the mid-year financials showed the USAF is financially sound and is expected to end the year on budget. Also, the drive to collect donations to the USAF to help celebrate Yamada Sensei’s 80th birthday was successful and Sensei was very pleased by his gift.
- Summer Camp Venue – The ownership of the Seaview Hotel changed hands during this camp. We have since found out the sale was to KDG Capital LLC of Florida. The hotel will continue to be managed by Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham and Troon will continue to operate the two 18-hole golf courses. Future plans include renovations of rooms and public spaces. Please know, the USAF has in place a contract for its 2019 summer camp and expects to negotiate a new contract for 2020 and 2021.
- DVDs and YouTube Channel – The USAF is no longer selling DVDs at summer camp. Instead, the intention is to set up a USAF YouTube channel where all past and future summer camp footage will be posted, for free access to the aikido community and the general public. The projected launch date for the YouTube channel is 2019.
- TC Members – Andy Demko & Steve Pimsler were re-elected to the Technical Committee for a new 4-year term.
- Etiquette for USAF and non-USAF relations – Instructors were reminded of proper etiquette regarding approval for a USAF member teaching at a non-USAF affiliated dojo (including Sansuikai) or inviting a non-USAF instructor to teach at a USAF dojo.
The guidelines are as follows:
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- The USAF instructor who is invited to teach by a non-USAF instructor/organization must contact Yamada Sensei for approval prior to making any arrangements (including travel).
- The non-USAF instructor/organization that invited the USAF instructor also must formally request permission from Yamada Sensei.
- A USAF dojo must contact Yamada Sensei for approval if their dojo space is to be used by a non-USAF aikido organization.
Please also refer to Yamada Sensei’s letter from Aug. 10, 2018 to USAF and Sansuikai instructors for more details. Below is an excerpt from the letter:
From Yamada Sensei’s letter to USAF and Sansuikai instructors:
“Whenever you are approached to teach a seminar outside your organization, especially if it is from a country other than your own, please remember to follow this proper etiquette: both you and the dojo inviting you should request permission from me (through the USAF or Sansuikai office) in writing before you accept the invitation. Also, this must be followed in the reverse situation – if you are inviting an instructor from outside your organization and especially from another country, it is your responsibility to not only write to me, but to also request from the person you are inviting that he/she write a letter regarding the invitation before the invitation is accepted. These are the correct steps to take, and when they are followed, everything flows smoothly. When they are not, it often puts my organizations and me in a very difficult situation. These are also simply good manners to follow and will reflect well on all involved.”
6. The TC implemented new guidelines for Yondan (4th dan) promotions:
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- Yondan: minimum 4 years after Sandan if a practical test is to be taken; minimum 5 years after Sandan if promotion is to be by recommendation. Yondan testing can only be done by a TC member.
- Shodan, Nidan, Sandan: typically promotions to these ranks are not done by recommendation, unless there is a special case; all people are encouraged to take a practical test for these ranks, and recommendations should generally wait at least 1 year longer than if testing.
7. Membership building, and how to assist dojos in increasing membership and the exposure of Aikido in general – The group discussion at the instructors meeting at camp focused primarily on the difficulty many dojos are experiencing in attracting and keeping new members, and in particular, young adult members. Several instructors volunteered to form a “Social Media” committee to brainstorm and research ideas about how to best use social media, both for the USAF as an organization, and for individual dojos. A report regarding this initial step is expected to be presented to the Board at the Florida Winter Camp meeting in November.
8. Revision of Ethics Guidelines – A committee of the Board is currently working on revising the USAF Ethics Guidelines and expects to finalize the guidelines by year end.
We hope this helps you feel informed and up-to-date regarding the activities of the Board and the TC. As always, we thank you for your support and membership.
Sincerely,
George Kennedy
Chairman of the Board
From Yamada Sensei: Etiquette for Seminar Invitations
August 10, 2018 by
Dear USAF and Sansuikai Instructors:The following are very important procedures I would like you to keep in mind, and it applies whether you are a member of the USAF or Sansuikai International. When it comes to organizing seminars, we must consider the USAF and Sansuikai International 2 separate organizations that must show a mutual respect towards each other.
Whenever you are approached to teach a seminar outside your organization, especially if it is from a country other than your own, please remember to follow this proper etiquette: both you and the dojo inviting you should request permission from me (through the USAF or Sansuikai office) in writing before you accept the invitation. Also, this must be followed in the reverse situation – if you are inviting an instructor from outside your organization and especially from another country, it is your responsibility to not only write to me, but to also request from the person you are inviting that he/she write a letter regarding the invitation before the invitation is accepted. These are the correct steps to take, and when they are followed, everything flows smoothly. When they are not, it often puts my organizations and me in a very difficult situation. These are also simply good manners to follow and will reflect well on all involved.
As long as you are part of the USAF or Sansuikai, you must consider the proper way to proceed in these situations, and not take matters in your own hands. Please follow these correct procedures.
For any circumstances that involve dan testing at a seminar, if this correct path is not followed, the USAF will not or cannot take responsibility to assist with the business of promotions/registrations. Testing should not be given at any dojo or to any members that are not a part of the USAF or Sansuikai, and I should be approached regarding all testing and arrangements well before they occur.
When this respectful process is observed, it will greatly help avoid conflict and create more harmony for everyone.
Y. Yamada
A Message From Yamada Sensei
August 9, 2018 by
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Dear Teachers and Members,SUMMER CAMP DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 1ST
June 22, 2018 by
Good news! Summer camp registration has been extended to July 1st – hotel rooms are going quickly, so please make sure to observe the new deadline if you are hoping to stay on site for a half-week or full-week camp package!
All camp details can be found here:
Let us know if you have any questions, we are always happy to help!
With warm regards,
Laura and Karen
Camp Coordinators
