Next week, we are handing out ten year anniversary mugs to Zoe, Mike, and Dean. It's an amazing foundation from which we can experiment, play, and grow.

We are on a regular schedule again next Friday, and this also begins a month of free classes for new students. If you have friends and family that want to come practice, it's a great time. We'll keep it light and focus on the fundamentals.

It's been a fantastic year of practice at @aikiartscenter.bsky.social. We are on a short winter hiatus and return in January. That also starts a free month of classes for new students. If you are in the Bay Area and looking for a practice (with friendships), we look forward to meeting you.

Thank you for a beautiful year of practice. We are on winter hiatus and return on Friday, January 2. See you at the dojo.

"Creativity isn't magic. It's connection, repetition and courage." - Daniel Pink

My #aikido dojo, the Aiki Arts Center in #Berkeley, California, is opening up all classes in January to beginning students for free! Please spread the word if you've got people in the Berkeley/Oakland area! #somatics #baysky #consciousness #fitness #awareness #mindfulness #mindbody aikiarts.com

We are delighted to share that new students in the adult aikido classes can practice for free all month in January. You can get a sense of the community on our dojo blog. aikiarts.com/dojo-blog/

We are pleased to share a project from Andrej Diamantstein Sensei of the Nishi Kaigan Iaidō Dojō. He is starting a dojo in Manila and looking for funds to get set up. If you want to support this effort, here is more information. www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2XS... www.gofundme.com/f/a-iaido-do...

As many of you know, Nick Sensei and Azzia Sensei co-own a publishing company. Autonomous Press had a presence at a holiday book shopping event this weekend, and gave away plenty of dojo postcards. @autonomouspress.bsky.social

In the youth class today, our students got stickers for joy and bravery. We are learning skills for approaching challenge as well as coordination and movement.

We are opening up the youth class on Tuesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 8 for free to new students. It's a great message to share with Bay Area parents. aikiarts.com/kids/ aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

"The feeling of completion must be completely transmuted into the heart of gratitude and harmony. If I am able to do that, I will transcend issues of relative strength or skill.” - Anno Sensei

We have promotions on the calendar for next year, including two new black belts in September. See you at the dojo. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

We're delighted to host a table at Pints and Pages in Oakland next Saturday. It's a wonderful chance to do your holiday shopping. And thank you Bay Area Book Fest and Two Pitchers Brewery for putting this together.

"I find aliveness within the consistency. Early in my practice, I thought a technique was a fixed set of motions I needed to do consistently each time. Now I think each application of a technique needs to be adapted to each partner and all the other variables." aikiarts.com/insights-for...

If you're in the Bay Area next week, come hear Hao Tran read from his award-winning story Red Mud. He also has a full length book, Skinny Woman in a Straw Hat, with more projects in the works.

Happy holidays! We are open with a regular schedule through Tuesday, December 23. Then we go on a short hiatus and return on Friday, January 2. You can see a full list of upcoming events here: aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

We have dojo buttons on the way. Steve Sensei is generously making them for community use. Stay tuned for your swag.

Holiday schedule: Adult classes are open through Thanksgiving. Our last class of the year is Tuesday, December 23. Then we return to regular schedule on Friday, January 2. See you at the dojo.

We are opening up the youth class on Tuesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 8 for free to new students. If you know parents in the Bay Area, it's a great message to share. aikiarts.com/kids/ aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

New students in our youth program can train for free on Tuesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 8. If you have kids age seven through twelve, please show up before 4:30pm for orientation and then class. See you at the dojo. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

"I love working with young people, because they are so ready to be empowered and taught real practical skills that make their lives better." aikiarts.com/black-belt-q...

In aikido practice with the jo (short staff), an awase is a sequence of moves and countermoves designed to be practiced by a pair of partners in a continuous loop in order to cultivate the state of flow known as zanshin (continuous awareness). aikiarts.com/video-jo-awa...

It's so fun teaching kids again after a five year hiatus. We rolled down the big blue mat at an incline, practiced strikes on the red mat while counting in Japanese, and forgot to use the sticks. Next time. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

We are happy to share that Aiki Arts Center classes for adults will be free all month in January. Students learn grounding, calm, and leadership in a playful and supportive group. We look forward to working together.

Aikido classes are free for new students in January. If you are in the Bay Area and looking for a practice, come on by. We meet four times a week and it's a super supportive group. See you at the dojo. aikiarts.com @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

We are scrubbing the mats on Sunday before class. As orientation for anyone new: eco-friendly spray and towels will be there, and practice will commence at its usual time (this is a short project). See you at the dojo.

On Sunday, November 16 we are gathering at Picante for a meal after class. It's a chance to get to know each other and enjoy delicious food and drink. See you there.

We are happy to share that aikido classes for adults are free all month in January. Students learn grounding, calm, and leadership in a playful and supportive group. We look forward to working together.

New interview! Jen Gerometta & Shannon Nothstine interviewed me about #embodiment, #emotions & #transformation for their CONNECTED WITH JEN & SHANNON podcast. Really enjoyed this conversation! #somatics #psychology #consciousness #cognition #mind #brain #mindfulness www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgXQ...

We are pleased to share a book launch party for Mike Jung next Sunday, at 4:30pm (Mrs. Dalloway's in Oakland). Here is the link to register (for free). shorturl.at/beywn

Upcoming holiday schedule: The adult classes will continue on their regular rhythm, and the youth class will skip Thanksgiving day. If you like to plan ahead, here is the full list of upcoming events. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

"As an ideal in any technique, I focus on eliminating three things: muri, muda, and mura - strain, waste, and inconsistency." - Anno Sensei, in Journey to the Heart of Aikido

Thank you for supporting Hao in becoming a black belt. We always appreciate his warmth, humor, and sense of perspective Here is to many more years together.

Today we promote Hao Tran at Aiki Arts Center to black belt. He has been with us almost ten years also also publishes with Autonomous Press. See you there. @aikiartscenter.bsky.social @autonomouspress.bsky.social

Our youth aikido program meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 4:30pm - 5:30pm. We are well staffed with two teaching teams of two Sensei each, dedicated aikido practitioners themselves. It's such an honor to introduce young people to their most capable, playful, and grounded selves.

Hope you can join us for Hao - 1st dan on Sunday, October 19. Hao has been with us almost ten years and also teaches Tai Chi. Students training can show up at 12:30pm and anyone watching at 1:15pm. Then we have a meal at Picante to eat and celebrate.

Our very own Mike Jung is hosting a book launch party on Sunday, November 2 at 4:30pm. Hope you can join us at Mrs. Dalloway's bookstore in Oakland (free registration through EventBrite). www.eventbrite.com/e/mike-jungs...

“In Aikido training, we learn from everyone. We learn from the most experience people, but we also learn from new students. Everyone is connected through the heart and develops a mutual understanding. It is important to create a place where that can happen.” ― Anno Sensei

We have two more promotions on the calendar for next year at Aiki Arts Center. See you there. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj... @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

Hao is promoting to 1st dan (black belt) on Sunday, October 19. Students training will show up at 12:30pm as always and guests can do the same or by 1:15pm. It's our last promotion of the year so we can gather a big group and celebrate at Picante afterwards.

It's a real gift of martial arts practice that we get acquainted with our own strengths and challenges, and start to develop a map for our lives. When we have a useful framework and a supportive community, challenges start to feel more like meaningful opportunities for growth. aikiarts.com/kids

Our very own Encian Pastel is an amazing artist. He offers dojo mugs (with and without a handle) so you can enjoy the new logo and a beverage of your choice. ncnmade.com/product-cate...

We are open with a regular schedule on Monday, October 13 (Indigenous Peoples' Day). You can show up at 7:30pm for sticks practice, and we have spares for community use. See you there.

My dojo's award-winning YOUTH AIKIDO PROGRAM re-launches on October 2nd. Registration is open now! Ages 7–12. Please spread the word to any parents you know in the Berkeley, CA area! #kids #youth #martialarts #aikido #activities #parents #parenting #berkeley #oakland #baysky aikiarts.com/kids/

Our next promotion day (and the last of the year) is Hao - 1st dan. That is Sunday, October 19 with 12:30pm arrival for students and up to 1:15pm for guests. See you there!

We are yielding the space (no class) on Friday, October 10 for a special event at the studio. If you like to plan ahead, here is the events page with promotions, community meals, and the occasional hiatus. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

We are happy to share that we’re re-starting our award-winning Youth Aikido Program! Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 – 5:45pm, starting October 2. Students can attend either once or twice a week. Registration is now open! Please share with Bay Area parents. aikiarts.com/register/

Thank you so much for supporting Martha in advancing to 1st kyu. And it was a rite of passage for the whole dojo with Alan Sensei facilitating. We are cultivating a super capable group.

We are happy to share this neurodiversity event (online this Friday at 2pm Pacific) with Andrew Reichart. If you want to learn more about the many brain styles and how to work harmoniously with them, see you there. www.eventbrite.com/e/neurodiver...