Video: Jo Kata 1

November 6, 2020

In this instructional video, Aikido Shusekai instructor Azzia Walker Sensei demonstrates our first 22-move jo kata. The video was directed, filmed, and edited by Steve Tomich Sensei. That’s Alan Hodges Sensei playing the role of Azzia Sensei’s primary attacker, with Nick Walker Sensei dropping in as the secondary attacker. Everyone’s wearing masks because the video […]

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The Awkwardness of Being Human: An Interview with Nick Walker Sensei

August 9, 2020

This interview with senior Aikido Shusekai instructor Nick Walker Sensei was conducted by Azzia Walker Sensei in Summer 2020. What was your life like before starting aikido? I was 12 years old when I started my aikido training. I was living in a low-income housing project. Some well-meaning organization had arranged for this low-income housing […]

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Black Belt Q&A with Azzia Walker Sensei

May 23, 2020

Azzia Walker Sensei is the Dojo Manager at Aikido Shusekai, runs our award-winning Youth Aikido Program, and teaches our Friday evening classes. This Q&A with Azzia Sensei is part of a series of interviews with the Aikido Shusekai yudansha (black belts). How did you get started with aikido? It was the summer of 2004 and […]

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Black Belt Q&A with Joy Reichart Sensei

May 17, 2020

Joy Reichart Sensei teaches the Monday night beginner class at the Aikido Shusekai dojo. This Q&A with Joy Sensei is part of a series of interviews with the Aikido Shusekai yudansha (black belts). How did you get started with aikido? In 2009-2010 I was in a yearlong Integral Coach certification program. The methodology emphasizes somatics, […]

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Black Belt Q&A with Alan Hodges Sensei

May 10, 2020

Alan Hodges Sensei is a longtime aikido practitioner and a member of the Aikido Shusekai instructor team. This Q&A with Alan Sensei is part of a series of interviews with the Aikido Shusekai yudansha (black belts). How did you get started with aikido? My sister showed me a technique after she took a one-week aikido […]

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Black Belt Q&A with Steve Tomich Sensei

April 25, 2020

Steve Tomich Sensei is a longtime aikido practitioner a member of the Aikido Shusekai instructor team. This Q&A with Steve Sensei is part of a series of interviews with the Aikido Shusekai yudansha (black belts). How did you get started with aikido? I had probably the hippie-est introduction to aikido, finding out about it in […]

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Video: Jo Kata 2

April 5, 2020

Aikido Shusekai instructors Alan Hodges Sensei and Steve Tomich Sensei created this instructional video on the second 22-move jo kata we practice in our dojo. That’s Alan Sensei demonstrating the kata, and Steve Sensei attacking him during the partner practice segment. Steve Sensei directed, filmed, edited, and produced the video. We practice two 22-move jo […]

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I Thought I Was Better Than This

August 6, 2019

By Joy Reichart Sensei, Beginner Class Instructor Commitments Commitments are always tested. Have you found that? Stuff we promise to ourselves and to other people—resolutions, relationships, recovery, things that don’t start with “r”—are constantly challenged, called into question. When they are, we’re often faced with a choice: abandon ship, stagnate, start all over… or step […]

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Always Something: Persistence and the Challenges of Aikido Practice

June 8, 2019

By Joy Reichart Sensei, Beginner Class Instructor I’ll tell you right now, friends, it’s always going to be something. Something that scares you, confuses you, confounds you, discourages you. Rolls, tests, freestyles, high falls. Relationships, rules, expectations, misunderstandings. Kicks, weapons, bows. Working with a particular partner. Something is always going to challenge you. Welcome to […]

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Ripples of Goodwill: An Interview with Nick Walker Sensei

June 8, 2019

This interview with Nick Walker Sensei was conducted by Monika Broecker, founder of the Center for Personal Growth, in February 2011. MB: What is your vision for your Aikido dojo? NW: Aikido has enormous potential as a transformative practice of mindfulness, open-hearted presence, and compassionate power. I’m always working to create a training environment where […]

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