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2025 Gratitude
It is always at this time of year, when I take stock of everything; the ups and downs, the gains and losses, the lessons, the triumphs. On a personal note, 2025 was a trying year. The one constant besides my awesome family and friends was my aikido practice and the precious dojo that I serve.
A story of impact from Rene Allder
Meet Rene Allder — a member of the NY Aikikai since the 2023. Rene sought us out; he was looking for something he could cling to, something different from the purely physical aspects of sports, for not just a martial way but a holistic way. His experience at the NY Aikikai has changed his life. It has taught him patience, being slow, and how to relax. Aikido is in him.
A story of impact from Paul Zimet
Meet Paul Zimet Shihan — a member of the NY Aikikai since 1971. Paul's practice has remained challenging and fun the entire time, but he never has reached the point where he says: "I got it." There is always something to learn.
A story of impact from Linda Robbins
Meet Linda Robbins – a 50-year member of the NY Aikikai since the 1970s, and an energetic, kind, valuable member of our community. For Linda, her aikido training has become a spiritual practice. “The mat is a sacred space.” She asks of herself to be mindful, generous, expand her awareness, accept what is given to her, and to be fully present and aware.
A story of impact from Sachiyo Hotta
Meet Sachiyo Hotta - a member at both the NY Aikikai and Aikido of Westchester. Sachiyo was born and raised in Japan and lived there until college. She left Japan because she “felt disappointed in some aspects of Japanese culture.” Aikido has helped her return to Japanese culture and confirm her identity as a Japanese person. We asked Sachiyo about the impact that the NY Aikikai and her aikido practice has had in her life.
Our reach, our foundation
Happy Thanksgiving! And thank you to all who have contributed to our year-end fundraising campaign. As of today we have raised 52.6% of our $50,000 goal. All gifts of all sizes help us reach our goal and to have the impact we have achieved this year. Find some fun stats below, and know we are preparing for a very exciting 2026. We have major news to share soon, but first we will enjoy our Christmas Seminar together in a few short weeks.
A story of impact from Michael Holben
Michael Holben has been a member of NY Aikikai for nearly 10 years. He started when his daughter was born. "I knew I would tell her I would try new things and I wanted to be able to point to something new that I had tried, just to show that I wasn’t a hypocrite."
When he first walked up the steps to the NY Aikikai he thought maybe it would be a cool thing he would like, but the kindness and encouragement, showed him the true spirit of aikido. The more he kept training and connecting to people and energy on the mat, the more that made sense to him. It gave him courage to be himself and realize that kindness was a strength, that he could take that positive energy into the world.
End of year letter from Steve Sensei
What an invigorating year it has been for our dojo. Over the next few weeks you’ll hear from our members about the impact that the dojo has had on their lives as well as about the ways that our finances, including your dues and donations, help run this place and provide a space to deepen our practice. But today I am sharing a recap from my perspective of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and ask that you lend your support to our end of year campaign with a tax-deductible financial gift.
NY Aikikai 60th Anniversary Artwork
Since this was for the 60th Anniversary, I wanted this design to stand out, to be something that didn’t look like any other aikido T-shirts (which is tough, there are a lot of designs). In the end this looks very much like my paintings, which are focused on text, process and color.