Lia Suzuki Sensei has been training Aikido since 1982. She moved to Kamakura, Japan in 1987 to pursue her studies with her present teacher, Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, 7th dan, and the top student of the late grandmaster Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan. Suzuki was first exposed to Yamaguchi Shihan’s style of Aikido through his student, William Gleason Sensei. It was through Gleason Sensei that she was introduced to Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan.
During her nine-year stay in Japan, she also studied the Japanese language and culture, while continuing her practice of Aikido. She forged lasting bonds with Takeda Shihan’s students from Japan and all over the world.
In 1996, at Takeda Sensei’s direction, she returned to the USA and established the AKI Pennsylvania Dojo. In 1999 Suzuki began another dojo in Santa Barbara to establish AKI on the west coast. Both dojos continue under her direction and support and there are many visits and exchanges between the California and Pennsylvania groups.
Greeting from Lia Suzuki
It is a privilege to be invited to participate in Aiki Expo 2005. To be in the company of so many highly-esteemed, international teachers is truly an honor for me. As we all know, Aikido is a form of communication. In my experience as an Aikidoka, I’ve trained with people who don’t speak the same language as I. I’ve trained with deaf people. Regardless of who my training partner was however, there was always clear communication. I believe that events such as Aiki Expo give us yet another opportunity to study and practice this form of communication with Aikidoka of every style and affiliation. I am very much looking forward to the weekend.
