“Hi my name is Dane Smith. I recently graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a Bachelors Degree in Art. I am currently still living in Santa Barbara and am determined to…”
Category Archives: Member Blogs
Dane Smith Intern
Staying Connected
“Those of us training with Lia Sensei know how often she helps us focus on connection. Yet, beyond the dojo, how do we stay connected? I think…”
Toward the Future: New Year’s Message from Lia Suzuki Sensei
Happy New Year!
…A quick Google search told me that The Year of the Dragon was a year for empowerment and a year for breaking through outmoded paradigms. ”Perfect for our dojo!” I thought.
Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, my teacher, always encourages us to pursue our dreams and not limit ourselves. During my time living in Japan…
Kids and Teens Testing
From Teens’ Leadership Team Member, Chris Ziliotto
About 2 weeks ago, all little kids went through their first Aikido test. I could tell that all that sitting wasn’t easy for many of the kids but they made it all the way through.
Something that I thought was cool for the kids was…
Holiday Message from our Head Instructor: Lia Suzuki Sensei
Once again, the holiday season is here. The holidays mean different things to different people. When I visited AKI Australia during the holidays some years ago, after training, we…
Telethon Fundraiser: For the Price of a Coffee Drink
Goal: $200 | Deadline: December 28th | Donate
Give up your coffee just for ONE day to help the kids and the promotion of this peaceful martial art!
First Impressions, by Sara Selmic
After working here at Aikido Kenkyukai SB for almost a month now I have accumulated a great impression of the organization and people involved. There is a lot of…
Telethon Fundraiser: The Gift That Gives Twice!
“For every dollar that someone donates I will MATCH what they have donated!”
Being a student I know that not much is left over after paying for tuition, bills, and groceries for the month…
Black Belt Testing: Spectator Impressions
I had the pleasure of attending the last part of the Gasshuku this weekend and observing the Shodan test by Andy Cranmer…
Fall Gasshuku: Teen’s Perspective
When I first started taking aikido, if you told me I would be doing a 3 day gashuku only a year later, I would’ve called you crazy…
My Thoughts And Feelings After Gasshuku
Last weekend I attended the first Gasshuku that I’ve ever participated in. The words “wicked awesome” and “totally badass” don’t adequately convey my feelings on the subject…
