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.Archives for 2021
Up Next! Mar 6! The USAF Aikido Online Class!
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.Yamada Sensei’s Post Birthday Thank You Message
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
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!
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.Sad News to Share
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.Join Us Feb 20! USAF Online Aikido Class Series!
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!
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.New Year’s Letter from the USAF Board 2021
Join Us Jan 30! USAF Aikido For Kids Online Class!
We are excited to invite you to the Aikido For Kids Online Class taking place on Saturday, January 30 at 1 pm EDT (12 pm CDT / 10 am PDT) featuring guest instructor Ralph Legnini, 6th dan, Woodstock Aikido (NY). 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, January 30 at 1 pm EDT:
https://zoom.us/j/99239932965?pwd=QXBSOXdsZGNEQ1NrT0M2emJGQk9BZz09
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!
Dan Promotion Applications Mailed to Aikikai January 21st, 2021
Test applications mailed to Aikikai Hombu Dojo on January 21st, 2021 for registration of dan rank.
Shodan
- Matthew Addison – Pinellas County Aikikai
- Michael Carbone – Aikido of Central New York
- Johnny Cicirello – Myoho Aikido Vermont
- Mary Dickens – Fairfield Iowa Aikikai
- Salvatore Donato – Aikido de la Montagne
- Adbellatif Fqihi – Aikido de la Montagne
- Emiko Yoshia Frye – Pasadena Aikikai
- Ludmilla Pavlova Gillham – Valley Aikido
- Wesley Hartman – Maru Aikikai South
- Max Hyatt – Maru Aikikai South
- William Johnson – Aikido Center of Atlanta
- Eva LaDow – Aikido of Dallas
- Karen Lane – Brevard Aikikai
- Daniel Lapare – Aikido de la Montagne
- DJ Macintyre – Ottawa Aikido Center
- Daniel Malarik – Aikido of Central New York
- Christopher Manz – Valley Aikido
- Yuki Nakashima – Ottawa Aikikai
- Adam Nicholson – Sangamon Aikikai
- Michael Reese – Aikido of Dallas
- David Todt – Fairfield Iowa Aikikai
Nidan
- Anthony Bentley – Springfield Aikido Club
- Peter Discenza – Twin Cities Aikido Center
- David Goldberger – Two Rivers Aikikai
- April Hersey – Two Rivers Aikikai
- James Jacenich – Staunton Aikikai
- Jennifer Key – Two Rivers Aikikai
- Kimberly Koenig – Woodstock Aikido
- Alon Koppel – Woodstock Aikido
- Lance Luria – Springfield Aikido Club
- Rachel Narowlansky – Notting Hill Aikikai
Sandan
- Javier Calduch – Florida Aikikai
- Diana Edenburg – Florida Aikikai
- Joseph Giardina – Aikido of Westchester
- Anne Chu Liao – Newport Beach Aikikai
- Teri Pierson – Two Rivers Aikikai
- David Plock – Palm Beach Aikikai
- Dmitry Pozdnyakov – Woodstock Aikido
- Monica Sasaki – Florida Aikikai
- Violet Snow – Woodstock Aikido
- Phi Tong – Palm Beach Aikikai
Yondan
- Denis Betournay – McGill Aikido
- Nikolay Grozdanov – Florida Aikikai
- Robert LaPalme – Valley Aikido
- Dale Mankin – El Paso Aikikai
- Jerome Mercier – Aikido de la Montagne
- Michael Nedostupenko – Florida Aikikai
- Andrew Obeidy – Florida Aikikai
- Victor Ortiz – Florida Aikikai
- Charn Pennewaert – Newport Beach Aikikai
- Jacques Pharand – McGill Aikido
- Robert Pitts – Mt Pleasant Aikido
- Nicholas Ross – Woodstock Aikido





