Dear Student Body,

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.

**Planting seeds: community groups**
In January, we kicked off our special introductory classes with The Packer School from Brooklyn, St. Timothy’s School from Baltimore, Brooklyn College, and Flight Path Dance Company from Manhattan. We introduced upwards of 60 people to aikido, and so many of you helped us do that by assisting on the mat.

Looking back, looking forward: NY Aikikai’s 60th Anniversary Summer Camp

Summer Camp this year was a wonderful celebration for our dojo. We welcomed 550 aikidoka and had a great turn out of volunteers and attendees from the dojo. We had an absolutely fabulous organizing team led by Sharon and Mieke. It truly was something; Doshu, who does not travel to teach at seminars anymore, showed up for the festivities along with our longtime supporter, Osawa Sensei. I only wish Yamada Sensei could’ve been there to take it all in, but I’m sure he would have been proud.

**Our circle moves and grows: new instructors, new students**
In an effort to keep up the high standards of training that we have always been proud to offer, this year we expanded teaching opportunities for new instructors. This has been a long serving tradition that Yamada Sensei promoted for the health of the dojo and the growth of our its members.

Speaking of members, our dojo took in a record number of new students (we keep track!) who have stuck out the always challenging first few months to become fixtures in our daily classes. We look forward to continuing to support them on their aikido journey and welcome them and the next crop of students into our community.

Old traditions, expanded

We wrap up the year with our annual Christmas seminar. This year, we are adding classes on Friday to provide more aikido training with our excellent teachers. Along with our usual guest instructors, Harvey, Hal, Laura and Douglas, we have special instructors Peter and Penny Bernath from Florida and Vu Ha from Boston. Plus, we have over a dozen dan tests coming up this year and I am very excited to showcase our outstanding students. Whether you’ve been with us for 40 years or just one week -- join us for the last celebration of our 60th year!

So, what do you think? With all the difficulties in the world around us, it’s been a good year with new students, new teachers, new dans, new classes – even new HVAC! But one old thing still holds true: what we do here is special, and it couldn’t happen anywhere else.

I am so grateful to be with you all every time I step on the mat.

With that, will you join me in supporting all that the new year has to offer us with a financial gift at this year end?

Steve Pimsler

Chief Instructor

P.S. Our end of year fundraising goal is $50,000 and we have already together raised $23,000. Give today to give us a strong footing for next year!