Archives for 2015

A Memorial Fund for Walter Van Enck, Chief Instructor of the Midwest Aikido Center

March 23, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of our friend, colleague, mentor, and Chief Instructor, Walter Van Enck. Walter dedicated his adult life to practicing and promoting aikido, both at the Midwest Aikido Center and various locales around the United States and the world.

Many have asked whether donations will be taken in memory of our Chief Instructor Walter Van Enck. Walter’s sudden passing has created a multitude of challenges to his family.Therefore, some of his friends and family have set up a memorial fund to help the family at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made using the following link.

Click on this link to make a donation to Walter’s family.

Cash or check donations can also be made in person at the 2 memorial services, and will not be subject to the fundraising site’s processing fees.

Walter’s Memorial Service for friends and family will be held:

Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 1:00PM, Midwest Aikido Center

In order to accommodate the larger aikido community, there will also be a memorial for Walter at the dojo on Friday evening, April 24, 2015 in conjunction with the O-Sensei Memorial Seminar. More details to follow as they become available.

Please note that this will be a separate event from the memorial service on Wednesday, March 25th, 2015.

Seminar information can be found here

Sincerely,

Midwest Aikido Center

Filed Under: Articles & Seminar Photos, USAF Latest News

Sioux Hall, Shihan – In memoriam

March 12, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

Sioux Hall, Chief Instructor of Harvard Aikikai and Muso Aikikai, passed from this world on February 6, 2015. She died in much the same way as she lived – peaceably, on her own terms, and with profound courage.

I knew Sioux for almost 35 years. I remember the first time I met her; she was ikkyu and I had just started practicing. She was practicing kokyu dosa with ferocity. Imagine that for a moment. As nage, she attacked with force (yes, I said ‘nage’), her bright red braid swinging wildly. In that moment, I thought to myself, “Now that is someone I have GOT to get to know.” Over the years, I saw her bind her shoulder with duct tape so it wouldn’t dislocate during practice, hold court with friends regaling them with Sensei stories, and practice hard …boy, did she practice hard… with fearlessness and abandon.

Over her aikido career, she was a constant, reliable and positive presence both on and off the mat. She was a consummate practitioner and teacher, yet she often operated in the background to make sure everything and everyone was taken care of. If you watched carefully after any summer camp class, Sioux was there; listening, sometimes giving suggestions on how to handle difficult situations, or showing how to properly tape an ankle. Did you ever wonder who arranged the flowers on the kamiza at summer camp? That’s right. She was the ikebana master at so many seminars, including summer camp.

In aikido and in life, so many of us have benefited from Sioux’s honesty, wisdom, kindness and generosity. People of all kinds were drawn to her, feeling her acceptance and warmth. She respected people of all abilities and was committed to creating a space for everyone to be able to fully participate in aikido regardless of age, gender or ability. A generous teacher, she could convey the essentials of aikido without being condescending. In particular, she was an advocate for women and children.

It’s the children I want to tell you about. Kids LOVED Sioux. She understood them completely and intuitively. The more they felt disconnected from the world, the more she was a bridge for them. In addition to teaching aikido to children and youth, she was also a counselor to troubled and disconnected kids. She was a trained professional with impressive university credentials. She was an expert in conventional terms. The credentials gave her access, but life gave her the real healing knowledge. She trusted that children knew deep down what they needed and wanted. Sioux believed from the bottom of her heart that children needed to have a voice, and she always conveyed to them how smart and clever, lovable and capable they are. She has had a profound impact on children beyond number. The legacy that Sioux leaves behind resides in those kids as they now mature (or have matured) into adulthood. They will be better aikidoists and better people for having been known and loved by her – as are we all.

I will miss you, dear friend.

For those of you who are able to attend, a party to celebrate Sioux’s life will be held on April 25 from 2 PM to 6 PM at the Hyatt Regency, 575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. There will be music, desserts, a cash bar and lots of memories of Sioux. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to http://bit.ly/1wTVDdF or ychinlee@gmail.com. As we gather to celebrate her extraordinary life, please consider contributing a photo or a written personal memory of Sioux. These may be emailed to siouxphotos@gmail.com.

By Bonnie Veysey, 6^th Dan

Filed Under: Articles & Seminar Photos, USAF Latest News

2015 Summer Camp Is Open For Registration

March 11, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

Once again, Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, located at 401 South New York Road, Galloway, New Jersey USA, will be the venue for the 2015 USAF Summer Camp beginning Sunday, July 26th and ending Saturday, August 1st. To accommodate Aikido camp participants and 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 25th.

You are encouraged to register for a Camp Package and book your hotel room as soon as possible. Although you will have to pay in full for your Camp Package 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 19h but the blocked off USAF discounted hotel rooms may be fully occupied prior to the DEADLINE.

For more information and to proceed with your registration, click here

We look forward to seeing you at camp!
Sincerely,

Laura Pavlick and Karen De Paola

Filed Under: Summer Camp, USAF Latest News, USAF Official Business

Summer Camp Update

February 26, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

We have recently been informed that Osawa Sensei will be undergoing shoulder surgery later this winter. Because of this, we are unable to confirm whether or not he will be able to attend our summer camp until later in the spring, when we learn more about his recovery. The class schedule will continue in its usual capacity and we suggest early registration and reservations so as to secure your place at camp.

We wish Osawa Sensei a speedy recovery and hope he will be able to join us for another wonderful week together. We will keep you posted as the situation progresses.

Filed Under: Summer Camp, USAF Latest News, USAF Official Business

Open Sky Aikikai Women Instructors Friendship Seminar

February 19, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

Open Sky Aikikai hosted its first Women Instructors Friendship Seminar on January 17 and 18, with Katie Haywood, Fukushidoin of Open Sky, serving as an instructor, photographer, and the main organizer of the event. The weekend was a joyful and fun-filled success, with lots of laughter and the opportunity for varied lineages to come together in a spirit of camaraderie. Close to 60 participants represented a diverse cross-section of aikidoka from North Carolina and beyond, and proceeds from the seminar went to benefit the Open Sky Children’s Scholarship Fund, developed in partnership with the N.C. Psychoanalytic Foundation.

Guest instructors included Leslie Kausch, 4th dan, Greensboro Kodokan Aikido; Takiko Noehl, 4th dan, Seibukan Aikido Dojo; Charlene Reiss, 4th dan, Triangle Aikido; Connie Truemper, 4th dan, Aikido Schools of New Jersey; and Cyd Curtis Bates, 3rd dan, Aikido of Northern Virginia. The generous spirit that each of these talented women brought to the mat showed that no matter how much the wider Aikido community may vary in style, we certainly share what is essential in the art we all love.

Instructors (left to right): Connie Truemper, Takiko Noehl, Cyd Curtis Bates, Katie Haywood, Leslie Kausch, and Charlene Reiss

Thanks to all of the guest instructors, and to the support of Open Sky Dojo-Cho Steve Kaufmann. For more photos and details about the event, check out the events page at https://www.facebook.com/events/758722367539864/?source=1&sid_create=2166910631.

Filed Under: Articles & Seminar Photos

Aikido Center of Atlanta’s Kagami Biraki

January 27, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

On January 10, the Aikido Center of Atlanta hosted its annual Kagami Biraki New Year’s practice.

This year was a huge success with over seventy five people attending from as far away as New Mexico. Longtime ACA Instructor Jeremy Wojcik received his fourth Dan promotion and Robert Allen was given his Nidan certificate. Each dojo-cho took turns teaching half hour segments for a total of five hours.

The Instructors were:

Jeremy Wojcik – Aikido Center of Atlanta

Darrell Tangman – Augusta Aikido Club

Michael Goodman – Roswell Budokan/kyushinkan dojo

Blue Spruell – Peachtree Aikikai

Don Slater – Georgia Southern Univ. Aikido Club

Garn Sherman – West Georgia Aikikai

John Porter – Vicksburg Aikikai

Alicia and Patrick Hardesty – Kentuckiana Aikikai

George Kennedy – Aikido Center of Atlanta

The Seminar was free and a pizza party was enjoyed by all after practice. Thanks to everyone who made it such a success and we look forward to doing it again next year!

Filed Under: Articles & Seminar Photos

Dan Promotions May 16th 2014 – January 1st 2015

January 19, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

Test applications received and dated between May 16, 2014 and January 1, 2015 (some listings represent applications prior to Hombu approval).

Shodan

Andre Aguilar – Naka Ima Aikikai
Mark Allen – New York Aikikai
George Bill Barnard – Aikido Of Dallas
Justin Barrett – Aikido Of Ramapo Valley
David Beebe – Framingham Aikikai
Zachary W. Biesanz – New York Aikikai
William T. Bresnihan – Florida Aikikai
Jesus Camaraza – Gold Coast Aikikai
Frank Campione = Aikido Of Staten Island
Philip Capello – New York Aikikai
Christopher Chirco – Papa Aikido Usa
Nicholas Chirco – Papa Aikido Usa
Tadeusz Cisowski – Portland Aikido
Michael F. Coiro – Palm Beach Aikikai
Sidney Contreras – Aikido North Jersey
Brehan Crawford – Two Rivers Aikikai
Diana Edenburg – Florida Aikikai
Scott M. Fecteau – Lewiston Aikido/Willow
Jason T. Ferrell – Aikido Of Austin
Juan Carlos Figueroa – New York Aikikai
Jose Gonzalez – Aikido Schools Of New Jersey
Basia Halliop – Toronto Aikikai
Mike Harvey – Nations Aikikai
Daniel Herak – Florida Aikikai
Lawrence Howard – Albany Aikido
Amber Huntley – Aikido De La Montagne
Dwi Jaya – Toronto Aikikai
Fatima Johnson – Chushin Aikikai
Mohammad Jozaghi – Dairyukai Aikikai
David Jurasek – Naka Ima Aikikai
Petri Koskinen – Aikido Of Park Slope
Michelle Lefkowitz – Aikido Of Champlain Valley
Marla S. Lender – Aikido Of Central New York
Richard Lookshin – Florida Aikikai
Robert E. Maguire, Jr. – Aikido Of Red Bank
Andrew Manby – Framingham Aikikai
Xavier Matute – Monteregie Aikikai
Alex Metzger – Granite State Aikido Club
John P. Murdoch II – Aikido Of Red Bank
Bradford A. Myers – Framingham Aikikai
James Nachbaur – Capitol Hill Aikikai
Yaron Nahum – New York Aikikai
Philip Natale – Albany Aikido
Aleksey Nuzhnov – New York Aikikai
Burt Okamoto – Northern Virginia Aikikai
Turner Osler -Aikido Of Champlain Valley
Benjamin Pelletier – New York Aikikai
Shailendra Pradhan – Central Illinois Aikikai
Rey Robles – Southern Maryland Aikido Center
Hiroaki Sasa – New York Aikikai
Robert Schriver – Aikido Of Park Slope
Robert Sinka – Aikido North Jersey
Mark J. Sisti – Suffolk Aikikai
Mitsuko Spruell – Peachtree Aikikai Atlanta
Jeffrey Stueve – Nations Aikikai
Jay Tall – Aikido Of Park Slope
Katinka Titchenell – Pasadena Aikikai
Joseph J. Udovic – Aikido Of Cleveland
Matthew Unger – Skylands Aikikai
Oscar Vazquez – Nations Aikikai
Sara Veysey – New York Aikikai
Tom Warmath – Nations Aikikai
Dena Williams – New York Aikikai
Kate L. Wurtzel – Austin Aikikai
Nicholas Yee – Aikido Of Ramapo Valley

Nidan

Minoru Akiyama – Aikido North Jersey
Paul Alexander – New York Aikikai
Robert Allen – Aikido Center of Atlanta
Neil Applebaum – New York Aikikai
Jonathan Beller – New York Aikikai
Adam Benilous – Palm Beach Aikikai
Ameer Benno – Aikido Of Park Slope
David F. Breniak – Aikido Of Red Bank
Mark Brodbeck – Peachtree Aikikai Atlanta
Judith L. Brown – Portland Aikido
Sheila C. Cahilig – Aikido Schools Of New Jersey
Yves C. Calderone – Aikido Of Ramapo Valley
Emily Cross – Aikido Of Champlain Valley
James Curcurato – New York Aikikai
Isabel De La Vega – Florida Aikikai
Carlos A. Del Pino – Gold Coast Aikikai
Diane P. Dubois – Lewiston Aikido/Willow
Stephen Ferrari – New York Aikikai
Liam J. Finnegan – Nations Aikikai
Mario Gaerlan – Aikido North Jersey
John Guise – Aikido Of Red Bank
Sherwin Heath-Retemyer – New York Aikikai
Jennifer Henis – New York Aikikai
Greogory Hom – New York Aikikai
James Hyde – Aikido Of Charlotte
Michael Kamler – New York Aikikai
Stephen Lane – Aikido Of Champlain Valley
Khalid Laraki – Aikido Of Chester County
Anne Liao – Newport Beach Aikikai
Reuven Lirov – Pinellas County Aikikai
Eric Lopresti – New York Aikikai
Edgar J. Martinez – Miami Aikikai
Kimberly Mcneil – Aikido Of Champlain Valley
Stephen Mctague – Woodstock Aikido
Marcos J. Menendez – Gold Coast Aikikai
Thomas Newcome – New York Aikikai
Joanna Oniszczuk – New York Aikikai
Jesus Pacheco – Florida Aikikai
Alfred B. Pittman – Aikido Center Of Jacksonville
Dmitriy Pozdnyakov – Woodstock Aikido
Edward Ramos – Florida Aikikai
Suzanne Rancourt – Albany Aikido
Scott Rothstein – New York Aikikai
Keith D. Russell – Newport Beach Aikikai
Patrick Scott – New York Aikikai
Ross Setlow – Albany Aikido
Lev Shakhtmeyster – New York Aikikai
Neferti Tadair – New York Aikikai
James V. Vellocido – Newport Beach Aikikai
Robert Villamar – New York Aikikai
Joseph Zinnes – Skylands Aikikai

Sandan

Scott R. Ackerson – Aikido Of Cleveland
Evelyn L. Acosta – Gold Coast Aikikai
Alexander, E. Lee Jr. – Aikido Of Red Bank
Karen Clark – Aikido Of Champlain Valley
Lynn Crystal – Aikido of Red Bank
Jerry N. Dewees – Twin Cities Aikido Center
Joseph A. Dicarlo – Aikido North Jersey
Andrew Edelstein – Florida Aikikai
Alan Fishbone – New York Aikikai
Michael Fitzpatrick – Aikido Of Red Bank
Wendy Guyer – Midwest Aikido Center
Reynold Hoyte – New York Aikikai
Kim Johnston – NY Eastside Aikikai
Jed Lavit – New York Aikikai
Brenda Mae Mcluskie – Water Oak Aikikai
John J. Montes – New York Aikikai
Ramon Moralejo – New York Aikikai
Fumi Ono – Hoboken Aikikai
Todd S. Paul – Woodstock Aikido
Kevin J. Roland – Northern Virginia Aikikai
Dmitry Snovalnikov – Aikido Of Austin
James A. Wendt – Lewiston Aikido/Willow
Ryan Wild – Aikido Of Ramapo Valley
Martin Wise – Mandala Aikido

Yondan

Chad Chalileh -Aikido Of Ramapo Valley
Christopher Ednie – Aikido Of Red Bank
Kevin Farrell – Woodstock Aikido
Mark Goodman – Aikido Of Park Slope
Donna Grant – Southern Maryland Aikido Center
Katie Haywood – Open Sky Aikikai
Victor Hung – Aikido Of Colorado
Ray Kohl – Midwest Aikido Center
Wendy Kopka – Midwest Aikido Center
Chris J. Mills – Island Aikido
Keisuke Ogawa – Aikikai Of Philadelphia
Joseph F. Roy – Aikido Schools Of New Jersey
James Sinnott – Aikido Institute Of Newfoundland
Brian M. Sykes – North Coast Aikikai
William Tilles – Aikido Of Park Slope
Jeremy Wojcik – Aikido Center Of Atlanta
Donald J. Zdeb – Litchfield Hills Aikikai

Godan

Michael J. Gelb – Aikido Schools Of New Jersey
Bryan Golden – Woodstock Aikido
George Hemmings – St. Ives Aiki Dojo
Amy Kipp – Harvard Aikikai
Ralph Legnini – Woodstock Aikido
Michael Martin – Capitol Hill Aikikai
Marcos Miranda – Palm Beach Aikikai
Lynne Morrison – Florida Aikikai
Noriko Oba – New York Aikikai
Keith Rosello – New York Aikikai
Marilyn St. John – Woodstock Aikido
Harvey S. Wood-Cohan – Palm Beach Aikikai

Rokudan

Tariq Baig – Florida Aikikai
Skip Chapman – Jersey Shore Aikikai
Karen De Paola – Skylands Aikikai
Maria Cristina Dumlao – Gold Coast Aikikai
Julia M. Freedgood – Valley Aikido
Malory A. Graham – Seattle Aikikai
Vu Xuan Ha – Boston Aikikai
Salvatore J. Lacorte – North Coast Aikikai
Dennis Main – Aikido Of Charlotte
Robert M. Mason – Aikido Of Dallas
Michael J. McNally – Hoboken Aikikai
Dale F. Nordenberg – Dogwood Aikikai – Bronx
Nizam Taleb – Lenape Aikikai
Eran Vardi – Aikido Of Ramapo Valley
Jerry B. Zimmerman – Aikido North Jersey

Filed Under: Dan Promotions, USAF Latest News

“Aiki is Musubi” – Tamura Nobuyoshi Shihan. 2014: A Celebration of Connection and Family

January 19, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

Little did Yamada-Sensei know in 1964 that 50 years later, his life’s dedication in the “Big Apple” would inspire two aikido students, Dan and Nina Hayes, to connect in the “Little Apple” (Manhattan, KS) in an aikido wedding.

April 5, 2014 Aikido Wedding of Dan and Nina Hayes in Manhattan, KS, officiated by Dan’s “Ma,” Pastor Jayne Sensei of Thiel College Aikikai, and assisted by Reverend Tom Boomershine, fellow aikido student from Iowa. Photography by Brandon Chan

This aikido family actually started in 1972, when Peter Bernath started his aikido career under Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei at New York Aikikai. Eventually in 1979, Peter met Penny at the Florida Winter Seminar. There, Yamada Sensei asked them to open Florida Aikikai, with Peter to be the chief instructor and Penny to be the dojo manager. So, in 1980, Florida Aikikai was officially opened, and 2 years later, Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei married.

1982 wedding of Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei

Then in 1987, two people named Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson joined Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to allow their child, Dan, to participate in children’s classes.

1985 wedding of Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson Sensei

Dan Hayes (circled) with Peter Bernath Sensei leaning on his shoulder. Dan’s younger brother, Matt was also in Aikido at the time. He is second from the right, second row from the back wall.

Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson Sensei moved to Manhattan, KS, in 1994 with their family. They formed KSU Aikido, and Dan continued aikido under his parents.

Dan Hayes, his stepmother Jayne Thompson Sensei, Penny Bernath Sensei (guest seminar instructor), and Dan’s father Jack Hayes Sensei.

By 2002, Dan had been practicing for 15 years. Then, a freshman veterinary student, Nina, came along, looking for an activity outside the classroom and hospital walls. She ended up on an aikido mat on the Kansas State University campus with Jack and Jayne Sensei (Dan’s parents) as her instructors. Nina didn’t have any martial arts experience at all and wasn’t sure if this “aikido thing” was the right choice, but was told, “just keep coming to practice.” And she did.

Nina’s first seminar, 5 months after starting aikido, was instructed by Yamada Sensei and Peter Bernath Sensei at Kansas State University.

By the time Nina graduated, Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson Sensei had moved to Minnesota, and she was studying with their son, Dan, the new head instructor of KSU Aikido and the newly formed Tatsumaki Aikikai community group.

Testing under Dan Sensei.

In 2007, however, Nina moved to Omaha, NE, for work. Dan followed her there, where he formed a new dojo, Chushin Aikikai. He also continued on as the technical director for KSU Aikido and Tatsumaki Aikikai. And Nina and Dan “kept going to practice” – regularly in Omaha, and making a 3 hour drive about once a month to Manhattan, KS… until 2013, when Dan and Nina became engaged.

Engagement photo taken by LQ Photography.

With much support from their dojos in Omaha and Kansas, Dan and Nina Hayes were married during the lunch break of the Musubi Aikido Seminar this past April.

Dan and Nina were honored to have their teachers, Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei, and Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson Sensei instruct at the seminar.

There’s nothing like being uke for your new mother-in-law as she demonstrates a technique for the seminar! Photography by Stacy Smith.

Thank you, Yamada-Sensei, Peter and Penny Bernath Sensei, Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson Sensei, and all our aikido friends and family for helping a new “aikido family” start in 2014!! We look forward to many more aikido memories together in 2015 and beyond!!

Filed Under: Articles & Seminar Photos

2015 New USAF Dojo

January 16, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

The USAF would like to welcome the following new member dojo:

1/15/2015:

Allegheny College Aikikai

Chief Instructor: Rob Humphreys

520 North Main Street

Meadville, PA 16335

gatoraikido@webs.com

1/27/2015:

Ottawa Aikikai

Chief Instructor: Don Dickie

155 Loretta Ave North

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada K1Y 2J7

ottawaaikikai.ca

1/28/2015:

Grinnell Aikikai

Chief Instructor: Charles Cunningham

Grinnell College Bear Center

1201 10th Avenue

Grinnell, Iowa 50112

2/9/2015:

Aiki Muenster

Chief Instructors: David Ross, Gabriele Bixel

TG Muenster

Lotharinger Strasse 17

Muenster, German 48147

aiki-muenster.de

2/11/2015:

Casablanca Aikikai

Chief Instructor: Driss Benmoussa

131 Lot Communal Sidi Maarouf

Casablanca, Morocco 20190

2/12/2015:

Prairie Aikikai

Chief Instructor: Richard Mintz

4040 Plainview Drive

Des Moines, Iowa 50311

www.prairie-aikikai.com

4/1/2015:

Southland Aikido

Chief Instructor: James Graves

670 Monterey Pass Road

Monterey Park, CA 91754

www.southlandaikido.org

4/21/2015:

Summit View Aikido

Chief Instructor: Cong Nguyen

116 Fall Street

Seneca Falls, NY 13148

4/21/2015:

Maru Aikikai South

Chief Instructor: Alexander Angustain

116 Fall Street226 W. Main Street

Alhambra, CA 91801

www.maruaikikaisouth.com

Filed Under: The Bulletin Board, USAF Official Business, Welcome New USAF Dojo

Aikido of Charlotte’s Annual Friendship Seminar

January 13, 2015 by Laura Pavlick

Aikido of Charlotte’s Annual Friendship seminar was held on January 3, 2015. Classes were taught by Sensei Dennis Main, 6th Dan, Shidoin and Sensei Jonathan Weiner, 4th Dan, Fukushidoin of Aikido of Charlotte and were joined by Sensei Charlie Huff, 4th Dan and Sensei Phi Truong, 2nd Dan of Charlotte Aikikai (an ASU Affiliate). This was a special occasion as well, because Main Sensei was just promoted to 6th Dan with the New Year and the opportunity to train with our fellow aikidoka from the area was an excellent way to celebrate.

We were joined by practitioners from as far away as Columbia, SC and Greenville, NC, from a variety of affiliations: ASU, Nihon Goshin Aikido, even Karate. It was a great time to learn, make friends, and have a fantastic workout.