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...

Martha is promoting to 1st kyu (second level brown) on Sunday, September 21. We'll show up at 12:30pm to set up and train, then do the promotion, and will pack up at 2:30pm as usual. See you at the dojo.

On Sunday, September 14, we'll scrub the mats before class (showing up at the usual time of 12:30pm) and then will gather at Picante (6th Street and Gilman) for a meal after class. See you at the dojo.

Thank you for supporting Zoe in becoming a brown belt. She started training almost a decade ago in our youth program. And the next dojo event is mat cleaning and a Picante meal next Sunday.

It's a pleasure to share the updated events page, with spring promotions on the way. Thank you for showing up for each other so we can amplify the joy and strength. aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

Thank you, Dean Gloster, for your contributions to Spoon Knife 6 (Rest Stop) and Spoon Knife 9 (Numbers). It's a pleasure getting to know you through the Aiki Arts Center practice in Berkeley too. "I’m trying to be quieter and calmer and meet attacks with a more relaxed openness." bit.ly/4mYgCGH

On Fridays this month, we are focusing on the fundamentals to support our new students. All levels are invited to practice. We'll learn technique names, how to work in a group of three, and basic movements like rolls and falls. See you at the dojo.

"Because it’s an environment where each of us experiences vulnerability, and we rely on and trust each other, it fosters genuine connections between people." Dean Gloster (student since 2016) aikiarts.com/dean-gloster...

Our youth aikido program for ages 7 - 12 is taking place Tuesdays and Thursdays starting October 2. We've got postcards on the way and appreciate your efforts to spread the word with Bay Area Parents.

We've got a party at a dojo member's home after class today. You can see more information on the email list. See you there.

We're getting ready for the fall promotion season at Aiki Arts Center. It's three students, all for brown and black belt ranks. September 7 - Zoe for 2nd kyu September 21 - Martha for 1st kyu October 19 - Hao for 1st dan @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

We are open with a regular schedule on Monday (Labor Day). See you at 7:30pm for sticks class.

We're heading into the fall promotion season, with Zoe for brown belt on Sunday, September 7. It's during the usual class, so you can show up at 12:30pm. See you there.

We are delighted to share that Zoe is promoting to brown belt (2nd kyu) on Sunday, September 7. As orientation for anyone new: we gather at 12:30pm and pack up at 2:30pm, the same as always for Sundays. See you there.

We are delighted to share that the youth program for ages 7 - 12 is re-launching in October. Students learn confidence, coordination, and form trusting and joyful friendships. aikiarts.com/kids/

"This is the power of community alchemy: individual healing becomes exponentially more powerful when witnessed and supported by others. Healing work gets supercharged when it happens around other people who get it." Gretchen Kubacky, Psy.D. substack.com/inbox/post/1...

"We are constantly negotiating with our partners as we try to both 'keep it real' and keep safe, and we do it mostly nonverbally. This means that we try to tune into our partner with all of our senses, and also tune into where everyone else is in the dojo." aikiarts.com/insights-for...

We are happy to share that the award-winning Youth Aikido Program is re-launching this October. Classes meet Mondays and Thursdays, 4pm -5:30pm. Students learn confidence, coordination, leadership, and form joyful and trusting friendships. Contact us to reserve your child's spot. aikiarts.com/kids

The fall promotion season starts on Sunday, September 7 with Zoe for brown belt. As orientation for anyone new: the timing is the same as usual, with 12:30pm setup and 2:30pm packing up. See you there.

We are re-launching our youth aikido program this October, for ages 7 - 12. You can share the word with families in the Bay Area. Students learn confidence, coordination, leadership, and form joyful and trusting friendships. See you there. aikiarts.com/kids/

Excellent project. I like the interviews with aikido black belts on this dojo blog. It's about embarking on a course of practice with resilience and an open mind. We can make amazing changes when we choose to skill up. aikiarts.com/insights-for... @aikiartscenter.bsky.social

Great idea. We have an annual Spoon Knife anthology and will be posting a new open call on August 1. The next theme is Remnants (photo credit to Brian Smith). In the meantime, here are the completed volumes to enjoy. autonomous-press.myshopify.com/collections/...

We are delighted to share Spoon Knife 9: Numbers, an anthology by Autonomous Press. It features stories by Nick Sensei, Dean Gloster, and Steve Tomich. Hope you like it. www.amazon.com/Spoon-Knife-... @autonomouspress.bsky.social @dr-nicky.bsky.social @deangloster.bsky.social

We have dojo mugs hand-made by Encian Pastel. It's a way to show your dojo pride and enjoy a delicious beverage. You can see options here (with and without handles) and order directly from a Bay Area artist. ncnmade.com/product-cate... @ncnmade.bsky.social

“Yesterday they called it coincidence today it's synchronicity tomorrow they'll call it skill.” ― Antero Alli

“Never think of yourself as an all-knowing, perfected master. You must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together.” - O Sensei

In aikido, we learn to enjoy the moment. It can be a moment of harmony, of transformation, even of conflict. When we tune in with a curious and open mind, there is always much to learn. And we form deep bonds in the process.

We had a small and advanced class yesterday. The focus was on making space for the unexpected and honoring our many phases of practice. And as a motivator for more wisdom, considering how we would do a technique at our next rank. It works for conversations and ukemi too.

“Everyone is connected through the heart and develops a mutual understanding. It is important to create a place where that can happen.” ― Motomichi Anno Sensei, Journey to the Heart of Aikido

"Self and others are interwoven. Jazz leadership is a relational model that harmonizes individual excellence with collective achievement, creating a dynamic framework where personal mastery and collaborative success mutually reinforce one another." www.tuneintoleadership.com/newsletter/z...

The fall promotion season starts on Sunday, September 7 with Zoe for brown belt, and the next event after that is Sunday, September 21 with Hao for black belt. As orientation for anyone new: the timing is the same as usual, with 12:30pm setup and 2:30pm packing up. See you there.

Our next group meal is Sunday, July 13 at Picante after class. It's a chance to connect and enjoy delicious food and drink. If you have family or friends meeting us there, they can aim for 2:45pm.

We are open with a regular schedule on Friday. See you at 6pm for open hand class. 🌳 aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

"It’s about shaping things constructively, beginning interactions with the right state of mind, adjusting easily, and being open to change." aikiarts.com/insights-for...

"...the more we can maintain a state of centered presence, openness, and relaxation during our interactions, the more effectively we can tune in to what’s happening in the bodies of those with whom we’re interacting." aikiarts.com/insights-for...

It's a beautiful day. We are scrubbing the mats on Sunday (same arrival time of 12:30pm) and then practicing with Nick Walker Sensei. The spring promotion season has wrapped up and the fall promotion season begins in September. See you at the dojo.

We are delighted to present Daniel as 3rd kyu (second level blue). He brings a lot of heart to the practice and worked diligently with the group to get ready. Thank you for a sweet day.

It's a pleasure to share the latest volume of the @autonomouspress.bsky.social Spoon Knife Anthology, with the theme of Numbers. It features work by Nick Sensei, Steve Sensei (Tomich), and Dean Gloster. Hope you enjoy it. autonomous-press.myshopify.com/products/spo...

It's a beautiful time to begin practice. We've got new postcards on the way and will be sharing the word. You can develop creativity and calm in a supportive group. See you at the dojo.

We're getting mugs ready for the three students that will be at their ten year practice mark next year.

"... be gentle with yourself as you’re learning something new, which for many of us is counterintuitive. And have fun." - Dean Gloster aikiarts.com/dean-gloster...

Yes! Our very own Nick Sensei, Steve Sensei, and Dean Gloster are in this volume.

We have two more promotions this spring, Dean for 1st kyu and Daniel for 3rd kyu on the next two Sundays. You can see the full list here. @deangloster.bsky.social aikiarts.com/upcoming-doj...

Thank you for coming to support Ronn in becoming a brown belt. We got to enjoy a demonstration of great technical skill and focus. Here is to more years of learning together.

Confidence is not about knowing how to do things already – it’s about enjoying the adventure of learning. We have space for you to blossom into your most vibrant, strong, creative self.

Nick Sensei’s approach to Aikido has also been influenced by his extensive explorations in a variety of other disciplines and practices, including zen, physical theatre, and somatic psychology.