Didier Boyet, 7th Dan, Shihan, will be leading two evenings of training at Kyoseikan Dojo, November 8th and 9th, 2017, as part of his Birankai Midwest Fall Residency.  You can find more details and a registration form here: http://www.hv-aikido.com/fall-residency.  See you on the mat!

Grand Rapids Aikikai to host Aikido Seminar with Elmer Tancinco Sensei

April 1st at 9 AM to April 2nd at 12 PM at Kyoseikan Dojo.

Dave Mata Sensei, Chief Instructor at Kyoseikan Dojo, recently visited Cuba and trained with fellow aikidoka of the Cuban Federation of Aikido.  This experience has inspired Mata Sensei to return to Cuba, and to raise awareness for the needs of our friends there.

To that end, Grand Rapids Aikikai will be hosting an Aikido Seminar with special guest Elmer Tancinco Sensei, Chief Instructor of Alameda Aikikai.

In Mata Sensei’s words:

Our goal is to help our friends who are members of the Cuban Federation of Aikido. The CFA is recognized by Aikikai and a member of the Sansuikai under the direction of Y. Yamada Shihan. The CFA is made up of about 35 dojos spread throughout Cuba. The USAF has been active through the efforts of Peter and Penny Bernath Shihan(s) (along with many others) in funding Dan registration with Hombu Dojo for the CFA. This is a monumental task and those involved with these efforts deserve our appreciation.

Now for our part. As we all know, the financial situation for the people of Cuba is limited. Statistics show that the average income is about $30. US each month. Many students are training with home made weapons and some only had sticks of bamboo. We celebrate and respect their dedication to training and the mindset that training is what’s important so you do whatever you have to do to train. Now is time for those of us with a little more to give to our cousins in Cuba.

We are not asking anyone to take sides on the political situation in Cuba. We are asking our friends, family members and fellow Birankai members around the world to help us share with strong, passionate and talented Aikidoka.

We hope those who are able to attend the seminar will be here and train with us. For those who can not attend and those who are not Aikido students we hope you are able to make some small donation towards our efforts. Here is a link for donations.

Donations and funds from this event will go toward outfitting as many CFA Dojos as possible with quality Bokken and Jyo.

Donations may be made through our on-line store:

https://mkt.com/store/GrandRapidsAikikai

Please make a note if you would like your donation to remain private.

We would like to extend special appreciation to our friends at Nippon Budogu for helping to sponsor this event.

We have been honored with “Living Collaboratively,” a poem commemorating our 10th anniversary seminar, by James Sawers of Fox Valley Aikikai.  Thank you, Jim!