Japanese Culture & Aikido - Where do we draw the line?
Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art, focused on cultivating peaceful human beings through rigorous training. Many of us are drawn t
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Welcome to Spring Seminar Week!
As we prepare to host Sensei Jonathan Weiner of Aikido of Charlotte this weekend, this week is an ideal time for new students, sempai, and those who haven't been on the mat in a while, to get themselves ready. New Students. Our dojo has been blessed with a steady stream of new students benefiting from all Aikido has to offer. This week is an ideal time for new students to focus on Ukemi - really focusing in on strong, committed attacks, along with safe and controlled receivin
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
My Thoughts on Sensei's Interview with Aikido Journal
The other day, Sensei Gold at Aikido Journal released an interview with our USAF Sensei Yamada on his views regarding the USAF, Aikido in general, and a few other topics. These moments are invaluable as Yamada Sensei is one of the few remaining students of the founder. It's a connection to the history in our lineage and whether we agree with his statements and opinions, we owe Sensei a great deal of respect and gratitude for his unending devotion to Aikido, its practitioners,
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
No Class Tonight - Saturday All Levels
Due to Instructor Illness, there will be no class tonight.
Instead, Sensei has opened his Saturday morning 10am Advanced Class to All Rank
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Habits = Progress
"Sensei, I'm not feeling well this week"
"Sensei, I'm injured"
"Sensei, I'm just not in the right head space"
There is an old martial ar
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
NEW YEAR & WINTER SEMINAR
Please join us for a very special day on the mat, February 2nd, starting at 10am as we join together at the premiere martial arts dojo in Cl
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Dojo Meeting & Kagami Biraki
Thank you all again for joining us for Kagami Biraki. A special thank you to our guest instructors and of course, Sensei Gustavo Ramos who c
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Kagami Biraki - An Annual Tradition
RSVP FOR KAGAMI BIRAKI 2019! THIS SATURDAY JANUARY 5th. DOORS OPEN AT 10AM. FIRST CLASS AT 11! What is Kagami Biraki? According to jpinfo, Kagami Biraki is a Japanese term meaning, "opening the mirror" (no, there are no actual mirrors being opened). It is a practice whereby organizations (ideally on odd number days - in our case, January 5th - as they are considered auspicious) celebrate the new year by joining together. In fact, the practice of Kagami Biraki can be dated bac
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Why 'Osouji' Matters in a Dojo
Osouji for 2018 will begin at 12:30pm EST with 2 hours of training, followed by cleaning and food/drink. RSVP by clicking here. What is Osouji? As a Japanese rooted traditional martial art, Aikido enjoys many of the traditions and practices common to Japanese culture. However, as Americans, it is important to recognize that while we honor the roots of our chosen martial art, it should not be our goal to "become Japanese". This is more of a topic for a separate story, so we wi
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Saturday at the Dojo - A Request
Please take a moment to answer 1 question regarding our schedule on Saturdays. https://www.aikidopinellas.com/dojo-surveys If you are not currently a member at our Aikido martial arts dojo here in Clearwater Florida, but are interested in training, we would still like your opinion. These decisions will affect your ability to train and so it's critical that you voice it when asked. We will plan an all-dojo meeting for early 2019 to go through more dojo requests from the commun
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Aikido and Holidays
Holidays throughout the year are a great time for reflection, gratitude, and family here in Clearwater, Florida and around the world. Unfortunately, many of us struggle to reflect, feel gratitude, and enjoy time with family, which is ironic for many who only see family a few times a year. But what does this have to do with the dojo? To understand this, we have to journey back to when I was just 4 years old. At 4 years old, I began my martial arts journey, not because my paren
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
The Power of Aikido's "Three Levels" & Practical Application
What does it mean for a martial art to be "effective"? What proof is there that Aikido aids in real life altercation? What is the BEST martial art? As a student of many martial arts (first Judo since the age of 4, then Hwa Rang Do, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Silat, Savate, American Combat Karate, and others) it's a question that comes up a lot. Unfortunately, most publication is based on readership, and nothing "baits" readers like negative press, which means "if you can bash some
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
"How should I prepare for my Kyu Test?"
Kyu testing is often referred to as the "milemarker on your journey". It's not a destination, but more of a sign to know how far you've come. Here in Clearwater Florida where we practice the martial art of Aikido, few things are as true as the following when preparing for your next kyu test. Train. Train. Train. Nothing matters more than your training. In fact, nothing will prepare you better for any exam, scenario, or interaction, than your consistent honest training. As wit
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
BIGGEST MISTAKE IN MARTIAL ARTS
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking martial arts is just for kids. If you look at other cultures around the world, martial arts often plays a pivotal role throughout both women and men's lives. Aikido is a martial art developed specifically for this purpose and our dojo is unique in that we specialize in ages 12 and up. Sensei Reuven Lirov focuses on cultivated physicality in the younger generation (as he is an avid physical trainer) and those with the flexibi
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Self Defense in Aikido
What does it mean to learn "self defense"? Is it the ability to properly execute a series of techniques for each of an infinite number of situations? Is it becoming a part of a martial lineage? Is it learning how to fight 1 on 1 in a cage? Is it learning one specific style that works against all others? How would you truly "pressure test" your skills? Is it a personal journey, or one that has been mastered? Having had the unfortunate personal experience of having to put this
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Dojo Holiday Hours
Dear Students: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: The Pinellas County Aikikai will be closed Saturday, September 1st (in support of the Tampa dojo's seminar), Sunday, September 2nd and Monday, September 3rd. Classes will resume Tuesday, Sept. 4th at 5:30pm. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday. The Pinellas County Aikikai P.S. Sensei looks forward to seeing all those students who can attend the wonderful seminar Gina Sensei and the Tampa dojo have put together. A great show of support
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Illness & Injury - "Maybe I Shouldn't Train"
This is often the most common reason students leave any physical discipline. We know that physical activities (martial arts is no exception)
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Why is Ukemi More Important Than Any Technique?
"Ukemi is the same in every martial art and fighting style. Survival always matters more than your ability to hit very hard"
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Dojo Closed on July 4th
The dojo will be closed on July 4th. Please celebrate responsibly.
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Sensei
- Jan 6, 2022
Why Your Review Matters So Much
As we do a few times a year, we look to our members to help us grow. The best dojos are always those that grow because the membership takes
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