We understand there is much sadness in the aikido community, as we all mourn the loss of Waite Sensei. Yamada Sensei prepared this message on Sunday, Feb. 21, before he received the the sad news about Donovan. So let’s take a moment during this difficult time to enjoy Yamada Sensei’s message, as he says hello and expresses his gratitude for all his birthday greetings.Archives for February 2021
Yamada Sensei’s Post Birthday Thank You Message
February 25, 2021 by
We understand there is much sadness in the aikido community, as we all mourn the loss of Waite Sensei. Yamada Sensei prepared this message on Sunday, Feb. 21, before he received the the sad news about Donovan. So let’s take a moment during this difficult time to enjoy Yamada Sensei’s message, as he says hello and expresses his gratitude for all his birthday greetings.Condolences for Donovan Waite Sensei
February 25, 2021 by
I would like to let you know much I appreciate the outpouring of support and sympathy I have received since Donovan’s passing. It is like losing a son, and I am trying to deal with this in my own personal way, as I know you are too.
I understand that many of you want to honor Donovan together. I think we owe it to his family to give them the time to make their own decisions first. We will, of course, help them in any way we can, but this takes time and they have many decisions to make that can only be done amongst themselves. We need to give them the privacy and the chance to do that. Of course, if you wish to hold your own memorials as his students and friends, I understand this is already happening and is very helpful. But the USAF will wait patiently for as much time as the family needs to allow them to decide what they would like to do first. When we know more, we will share it with you.
Y. Yamada
Aikido for Kids on Feb 27 Features Teen Instructors ! Join Us!
February 24, 2021 by
We are excited to invite you to a very special Aikido For Kids Online Class featuring teen instructors, Naelys L. and Shanaia P. from Aikido Schools of New Jersey on Saturday, February 27 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT). As many aikido youth classes have flourished through the years, those who start young find themselves with years of experience by the time they are teenagers. Advancing through their belts, they often become class helpers and role models, emerging as a vital part of a dojo’s children’s program. We are excited to introduce this young generation of aikidoka through this online series.Join the Zoom Class, February 27 at 1 pm EDT:
This class will be available ONLY on Zoom. Please invite your friends and students and anyone you think would be interested.
Thank you to those who joined a class in 2020. We appreciate your participation and support, and look forward to many more classes together in 2021!
See you online!
The USAF
Sad News to Share
February 22, 2021 by
It is with deep sadness that we must announce the passing of our dear friend and teacher, Donovan Waite. We were notified of this tragic news today and at this time, we have no other information to share. Our hearts go out to his family, students, and friends throughout the world. There are no words to express the depth of this loss to the aikido community. We will always hold him in our hearts and in our practice.Y. Yamada and the USAF
Join Us Feb 20! USAF Online Aikido Class Series!
February 16, 2021 by
We are excited to invite you to the next class in the USAF Aikido Online Series. This will take place on Saturday, February 20 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT) featuring guest instructors Hal Lehrman, Shihan – Aikido of Park Slope (NY), Sal Lacorte, Shidoin – North Coast Aikikai (OH), and Gabi Bixel, Shidoin – Aiki Muenster (Germany). Each class in our Online Series hosts instructors from our diverse USAF family, and will be held every Saturday, alternating weekly between adult classes and classes designed specifically for kids.
This class is open to everyone and will run concurrently on Zoom and Live on the USAF – United States Aikido Federation Facebook page. Please invite your students and anyone you think would be interested.
Join the Zoom Class, February 20 at 1 pm EDT:
We are enormously grateful for this wonderful community and all the enthusiastic participants from around the world. And don’t forget, you can always revisit all the recorded classes on the USAF Youtube Page!
See you online! We hope you enjoy the class!
The USAF
Join Us Feb 6! USAF Online Aikido Class Series!
February 2, 2021 by
We are excited to invite you to the next class in the USAF Aikido Online Series. This will take place on Saturday, February 6 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT) featuring guest instructors Charlie McGinnis, Shihan – Aikido of Cincinnati (OH), Emmanual Herzog, Shidoin – Florida Aikikai (FL), and Marilène Gélinas, Fukushidoin – Montérégie Aikikai (Quebec, Canada). Each class in our Online Series hosts instructors from our diverse USAF family, and will be held every Saturday, alternating weekly between adult classes and classes designed specifically for kids.This class is open to everyone and will run concurrently on Zoom and Live on the USAF – United States Aikido Federation Facebook page. Please invite your students and anyone you think would be interested.
Join the Zoom Class, February 6 at 1 pm EDT:
We had such a successful series in 2020, and it’s all because of this wonderful community and the enthusiastic participants. We are enormously grateful for your support. Thank you.
We also welcome any newcomers to this series, and hope you enjoy the class. Don’t forget you can always view all previous classes on the USAF Youtube Page!
See you online!
New Year’s Letter from the USAF Board 2021
February 2, 2021 by
Dear Instructors, Dojo-cho and Members,
On behalf of the USAF Board of Directors, we wish you a belated happy New Year, and hope that you are healthy and well. Looking to the months ahead, we must try to remain positive, and adjust to whatever future challenges we face. We are truly inspired by the many ways you are adapting to the times, such as teaching virtual and/or outdoor weapons classes. The USAF continues to be grateful for the energy and commitment displayed by USAF instructors and dojo members, and applaud you in your efforts to keep your communities connected and engaged.
The USAF Board, Committees, Technical Committee and Laura and Karen are always looking for ways to support our membership. We will continue to provide weekly virtual zoom classes, which have already featured over 35 of our instructors from around the globe. We have also met virtually during Dojo-cho Video Conversations, and enjoyed seeing many of you during these discussions. We greatly appreciate the feedback we received, and the opportunity to share information and just see each other face-to-face. We will be organizing another DVC soon and hope you can join in.
In order to address the pandemic and its impact on the aikido community, the Board and Committees met virtually dozens of times in 2020, and already convened twice in January of 2021. With the start of a new year, budget discussions and how to adapt to this economic climate continue to be a main topic. The USAF has made several financial adjustments to meet these uncertain times, and greatly appreciates all of the dojos that paid their 2020 dues in spite of the economic hardships we are all enduring. We hope that those that are able will do so again for 2021.
The USAF would like to thank Paul Forhan, Aikido of El Paso, for the many years he volunteered his time and expertise on the Board. Prior to the expiration of his term, Paul served many roles: Board member, Treasurer, and Chair of the Financial Oversight Committee. We would also like to thank Sylvie Firestone, Aikido of Westchester, for her service on the Board. We wish Sylvie all the best on her new professional journey, and appreciate her continued role in the Working Group. At this time, Joseph Nemeth, Aikido of Nassau County, has joined the Board to fulfill Sylvie’s remaining term. Joe, being a long-time advisor to the Board, provides a seamless transition while we continue to focus on the challenges facing our aikido community.
Yamada Sensei has been maintaining a positive attitude, but he cannot wait to resume traveling and teaching again. He has received his first Covid vaccination and is looking forward to the time when we can see each other in person.
With the beginning 2021, we extend our best wishes to you and yours. We are grateful for your continued support, and hope you are healthy and safe. We look forward to remaining in touch!
In hopeful anticipation for a return to what we all love, we will end by saying: See you on the mat!
Sincerely,
George Kennedy, Chair
USAF Board of Directors
