Sensei Mar 15, 2021"You can't learn a martial art online"There is something missing from the online experience when it comes to learning martial arts, especially grappling arts like Aikido.
Sensei Oct 19, 2020Our Dojo's 2 FundamentalsKeeping a habit consistent like showing up to the dojo 2-3 times per week is hard; the dojo should be in service of that commitment.
Sensei Mar 13, 2020COVID-19 and Your TrainingIt is imperative that the dojo maintains the highest level of health and safety. To that end, we want to make clear our policies...
Sensei Mar 2, 2020Building Bridges - How Does the Next Generation Grow?I think the goal here should be for quality Aikido instructors to find each other and work together to identify each other's unique challeng
Sensei Feb 13, 2020Loyalty. Devotion. Lineage. "Who Needs It?"Over the last few years I've had the privilege of beginning a few exchanges with fellow dojo cho. These "seeds" are meant to be the beginnin
Sensei Feb 12, 2020"I Refuse To Learn From Someone Whose Political Affiliation Differs From Mine"This is becoming an all too common theme in so many disciplines across so many industries. We have become so polarized that even those activ
Sensei Jan 13, 2020Our Dojo Motto for a New DecadeAs we prepare for our first major seminar of 2020 on January 18th with Sensei Helen Reynolds and Sensei Keith Lit of Florida Aikikai, it is
Sensei Jan 7, 2020"Sensei, you're such a creature of habit." WRONG.One of the most common statements I hear from students, visitors, friends, and family is that I somehow naturally enjoy rigid structure to m
Sensei Nov 26, 2019What It Means To Be ThankfulOne of my favorite things to say around the dojo is: "I just work here". To some extent, it's one of many things we say and do to keep the j
Sensei Nov 14, 2019 What is the Difference Between Black Belt Ranks?What's in a rank? Does it really matter? Do they care that much in Japan (where the ranks originate)? Why should I work so hard towards...
Sensei Nov 7, 2019Aikido Camps - Only for Black Belts?One of the most common responses I've gotten when inviting students to attend major seminars like Summer Camp or Winter Camp isn't what...
Sensei Sep 2, 2019A 5-Star Dojo Is Worth Celebrating! Thank you to all those who have taken the time to share their experiences on the mat here in Clearwater at Pinellas County Aikikai Dojo....
Matthew AddisonAug 6, 2019Grab my wrist!“Grab my wrist” What do you even mean “grab my wrist”? When demonstrating a technique to a new student/guest “grab my wrist” are usually...
Sensei Jul 10, 2019Japanese Culture & Aikido - Where do we draw the line?Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art, focused on cultivating peaceful human beings through rigorous training. Many of us are drawn t
Sensei Apr 22, 2019Welcome to Spring Seminar Week!As we prepare to host Sensei Jonathan Weiner of Aikido of Charlotte this weekend, this week is an ideal time for new students, sempai,...
Sensei Apr 5, 2019My Thoughts on Sensei's Interview with Aikido JournalThe other day, Sensei Gold at Aikido Journal released an interview with our USAF Sensei Yamada on his views regarding the USAF, Aikido in...
Sensei Mar 7, 2019No Class Tonight - Saturday All LevelsDue to Instructor Illness, there will be no class tonight. Instead, Sensei has opened his Saturday morning 10am Advanced Class to All Rank
Sensei Feb 16, 2019Habits = Progress"Sensei, I'm not feeling well this week" "Sensei, I'm injured" "Sensei, I'm just not in the right head space" There is an old martial ar
Sensei Jan 17, 2019NEW YEAR & WINTER SEMINARPlease join us for a very special day on the mat, February 2nd, starting at 10am as we join together at the premiere martial arts dojo in Cl
Sensei Aug 21, 2018Illness & Injury - "Maybe I Shouldn't Train"This is often the most common reason students leave any physical discipline. We know that physical activities (martial arts is no exception)