Archives for March 2021

Summer Camp 2021 Canceled

March 23, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

As spring returns and the weather allows us to enjoy being outside, we thought it important to notify you that the USAF summer camp for 2021 is unfortunately canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.

Please know that we are already in discussions with the Dolce Seaview Hotel regarding camp in 2022, and hope that circumstances improve so we are able to reunite for one of our favorite weeks of the year.

We will keep you posted as time progresses, and in the mean time, we hope you remain healthy and well!

Filed Under: USAF Latest News, USAF Official Business

Aikido for Kids on Mar 27 Features Another Great Teen Instructor! Join Us!

March 23, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

We are excited to invite you to a very special Aikido For Kids Online Class featuring teen instructor, Kamila K. from Aikido de la Montagne (Montreal, Canada) on Saturday, March 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, March 27 at 1 pm EDT:

https://zoom.us/j/99239932965?pwd=QXBSOXdsZGNEQ1NrT0M2emJGQk9BZz09

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!

Filed Under: USAF Aikido Online Class Series, USAF Latest News

Join us March 20! The USAF Aikido Online Class!

March 16, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

We are excited to invite you to the next class in the USAF Aikido Online Series. This will take place on Saturday, March 20 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT) featuring guest instructors George Kennedy, Shihan – Aikido Center of Atlanta (Georgia), Kali Hewitt-Blackie, Shidoin – Regent Park Community Aikido (Toronto, Canada), and Sulaiman Abdul-Hakeem, Shidoin – Aikido of Greater Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). 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, March 20 at 1 pm EDT:

https://zoom.us/j/99239932965?pwd=QXBSOXdsZGNEQ1NrT0M2emJGQk9BZz09

See you online! We hope you enjoy the class!

Filed Under: USAF Aikido Online Class Series, USAF Latest News

Message from Yamada Sensei

March 11, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

I am sorry I am not able to be at Donovan’s funeral this weekend. I hope you understand but with the current situation, it’s not possible for me to make the trip. Instead, I would like to share a short message to express my condolences to Donovan’s family and students and friends.

It came as such a shock to me to hear the sad news about Donovan on February 22nd. I know it was felt the same way for everyone around the world. I have always said that Donovan was like a son to me, from the time he came to live as a young ushi deshi at NYA and even on our recent phone call for my birthday, just 6 days before he passed away.

Like me, Donovan devoted his entire life to teaching aikido. There are not many people who have done this from an early age, sacrificing so much personally in order to be a full time aikido instructor. Even though Donovan was my student, we both understood this kind of life. I think we made a good team. I am always early and he was always late. So if you put us together, our class would start right on time.

I have so many memories of Donovan. Like everyone else, he made a big impression on me. I will miss Donovan very much. And I’m so sorry for his family, and for his son Nathaniel. I know Donovan loved him very much, and was so proud of him.

Filed Under: From Yamada Sensei

Information Regarding Funeral Services For Donovan Waite Sensei

March 8, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

Please click the link below to view the information provided by the Waite family regarding the funeral services for Donovan Waite Sensei. We send our deepest condolences to his family and the aikido community. He will be greatly missed.

Information Regarding Waite Sensei Funeral Services

Filed Under: USAF Latest News, USAF Official Business

Join Us March 13! USAF Aikido for Kids Online Class!

March 8, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

We are excited to invite you to the Aikido For Kids Online Class taking place on Saturday, March 13 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT) featuring guest instructor Indra Gandy, 4th dan, Fukushidoin, New York Aikikai (New York). 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.

Join the Zoom Class, March 13 at 1 pm EDT:

https://zoom.us/j/99239932965?pwd=QXBSOXdsZGNEQ1NrT0M2emJGQk9BZz09

See you online!

Filed Under: USAF Aikido Online Class Series, USAF Latest News

Up Next! Mar 6! The USAF Aikido Online Class!

March 4, 2021 by Laura Pavlick

We are excited to invite you to the next class in the USAF Aikido Online Series. This will take place on Saturday, March 6 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT) featuring guest instructors Frang Wong, Shihan – Aikido Curacao (Netherland Antilles), Ken Yamazaki, Shidoin, New York Eastside Aikikai (NYC), and Kim Johnston, Fukushidoin, New York Eastside Aikikai (NYC). 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.