Important message from Sensei

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Yamada Sensei Update

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Some of you may have read the announcement from the USAF that Yamada Sensei will be taking two months off his teaching responsibilities in New York and elsewhere. He is recovering from a successful medical procedure and that is the reason for his absence.
Sensei asked me to thank all of you for your good wishes and concerns.He is anxious to see everyone and to be back on the mat. You will most likely see him around the dojo next week (NY Aikikai). Please greet him warmly but refrain from asking about the details of his procedure. This will be much appreciated. I am happy to answer questions if you see me at the dojo. (No emails, please.)
Thank you all for your support and understanding.
Steve Pimsler

Sensei-tional Message From Sensei

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and you are all ready for the next season. I’d like to let you know that I will be inactive for the months of September and October. I have decided to have a long rest to refresh my body, to prepare for many more years to come. I’m not ill, so please do not worry. I’m still healthy and strong like a superman. Y. Yamada
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Sansuikai Seminar Book

Small book that presents instructors participating in the Sansuikai Seminar is ready. You can download it here.

Sansuikai Seminar

50th anniversary of NYA – message from Sensei

Finally, spring has arrived after a long and bad winter. The bulletin board of the dojo has many flyers of spring seminars all over the country.
As everybody knows already, this year is the 50th anniversary of NYA. Many people are expecting a big celebration. That makes me very happy and I appreciate your concern very much.
I’d like to offer you one big opportunity to celebrate at one time with everybody together, but I found out it is very difficult to get a big place for that in New York City. Instead, the NYA is planning a small celebration on June 7th at the dojo. Everybody is welcome but please do not expect a big event.
So far, at every seminar I went to, people gave me big congratulations and I appreciate it so much. I also appreciated that you gave me so many gifts. But for me, just your thoughts are enough.
Please don’t give me things I can give to somebody. Just give me things I can’t give to anybody. That is, a big hug from the ladies and a handshake from the guys.
On June 7th, the dojo will open for the party at 4pm. At around 5pm I’d like to make a speech.
I’m looking forward to seeing you there.
Y. Yamada

Message from Sensei

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Dear Sansuikai friends in Europe,

For an old man like me, I can’t believe it’s almost end of the year, so this will be my greeting for end of the year and for a new year. A year went by so fast.
I just finished my last seminar of this year in Vienna Austria where I had a wonderful time and received the same warm hospitality as I had every place I went this year for seminars. Can you believe that this year I went to Europe seven times? I spent more time than staying in NY.
Every place I go in Europe, it seems to me that people are happy to spend time on the mat as much as I spend time on the mat with you. It makes me very happy and makes me to proud of myself to see a big improvement in your Aikido quality each time I see you.
Another year is right around the corner and I’m looking forward to another meaningful year. I feel very honored when I receive invitations from many countries and I feel bad to say “No”, due to my tight schedule. I hope you understand. The seminar is March in Belgium and Barcelona and Germany in August are main events for many reasons, such as promotions. So please try your best to attend one of them.
Have a merry X’mas and a happy new year.
Y. Yamada

Video: Yamada Sensei in Cracow, Poland

Wonderful memories of a seminar organized by the Krakow Aikikai – Polska.

Yamada sensei’s message for 2014

Dear Aikido friends,

The year of 2014 is going to be a big and meaningful year for me. I will be the half-century anniversary of my time in the United States and of the NY Aikikai. I know that neither you or I want to miss such a great opportunity to have a big party and celebrate together.

I had a few ideas to make this celebration an enjoyable one for everyone.
One idea was to use summer camp for the time and location of the celebration, but unfortunately, that will not work out. It will be impossible to accommodate the many people who might come from all over the world.
My second idea was to have a big seminar in New York City. It seemed like a good idea at the beginning, until we found out that there were no big spaces that could handle such a big crowd and provide us with the services we would need, like changing rooms and showers. There were also safety issues and regulations that both public and private places would impose on us and make the number of people who could participate very limited. I would not want to have many people shut out because of such restrictions. I’m very upset about these circumstances but we really have no choice.

So here is my solution: In 2014, I will still conduct my yearly major seminars so I can see you all. Whenever and wherever you see me, just give me a big hug and warm words.
Anyway, we will have a drinking party at the NY Aikikai sometime in June of 2014 and you will all be welcome to attend. I’ll let you know the exact date later in this year.

Thank you for your understanding, your concern and your wish to help me celebrate.
Y. Yamada