To all our subscribed readers and visitors that have come to our aikiblog. The website and blog has moved to the following locations, and welcome you to come visit us at our new locations: Website: www.kiryu-aikido.com BLOG: www.kiryu-aikido.com/blog See you at the new site, Kiryu Staff ..read more

Responding to student requests for a weeknight class, we are excited to offer a new class time for the Colorado dojo: Wednesday nights, 7:00 – 8:30 pm Class starts September 7 at 10441 S. Parker Road, Parker CO 80134. Come join us ..read more

We’re excited to share great news about our dojo’s move to a new location. And while the facility itself is great, it’s the people we’ll be working with that is the most exciting part of the transition. Starting on September 1, 2016, Kiryu Aikido will be located within Otomi Martial Arts, 10441 S. Parker Rd, Parker, CO 80134. www.otomimartialarts.com Kiryu Aikido Senior Instructor Les Steveson Sensei will be primary instructor. The new class schedule is: *Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm *Fridays: 6:30 – 8:30 pm *Sundays: by invitation/RSVP The Otomi dojo owners, Ranulfo and Kim Gonzales, ar ..read more

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the Japanese martial art of Aikido. we cordially invite you to our next Intro to Aikido Workshop. The event will be held Saturday, July 16, from 1 – 3 pm at the Lone Tree Rec Center. After a brief history of Aikido, you’ll have the  opportunity to practice a few techniques and experience a bit of this wonderful martial art and its benefits in so many areas of life. Our instructors and students look forward to meeting you and sharing the warm and welcoming spirit of Kiryu Aikido! Lone Tree Recreation Center (near Lincoln and I-2 ..read more

Les Steveson, Senior Instructor with Kiryu Aikido, Colorado, was recently honored for reaching the significant achievement of training more than 2,500 hours so far on his Aikido journey. But the award was about more than sheer hours of practice. Andrew Blevins Sensei honors Les Steveson Sensei for more than 2,500 hours of training and his dedication to the dojo.                                      &n ..read more

Three Kiryu Aikido students have reached significant training milestones on their Aikido journeys. Dave-san and Katie-san were awarded their 250-hour training certificates, and Jackson-san received his 125-hour certificate. You’re all great examples of what results from dedication, tenacity, and consistency in your training. Your commitment to practice is inspiring. Keep up the great work, and thank you for the spirit you bring to every class at the dojo. Omedetou gozaimashita! Dave-san receives his 250-hour training certificate from Blevins Sensei.       Jackson-san is ..read more

Upon waking up this new year morning of 2016 I always reflect back on the previous year. This reflection then heads into what I want to focus on this coming year and how best to approach that. In the past few weeks I have been reading poems of Basho, and just using both the Japanese and the English readings to trigger thoughts and ideas that may come into my head. This morning two of these came into my thoughts and wanted to share. The first for new years: (Ganjitsu ya / omoeba sabishi / aki no kure) New Years Day! and I recall the loneliness of autumn evenings. This to me is how I feel some ..read more

On Saturday, December 5, 2015, Aikido Central Coast hosted a half-day seminar with Danielle Smith Sensei, Chief Instructor and Dojo Cho of Aikido of Monterey. Smith Sensei, 6th dan, has been training since 1973, and she began her practice with Stanley Pranin Sensei as her first teacher. Nearly two dozen Aikidoka from several dojos attended the four-hour seminar, during which Smith Sensei shared her strong open-hand and weapons techniques. For the first two hours of the seminar, we practiced a variety of katate dori techniques. Some had interesting variations and approaches that were fun to ex ..read more

Kiryu Aikido, from left: Greg-san; Sr. Instructor Les S.; Andrew Blevins Sensei; Instructor Kara S.; Dave-san; Katie-san. Kiryu Aikido participated in the biannual testing of our Colorado community of dojos  on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Again graciously hosted and overseen by Izawa Sensei and Tanshinjuku dojo, the test included students from three dojos. From our dojo, Greg-san tested for Nikyu, and Katie-san and Dave-san tested for Yonkyu. All our students who tested showed solid techniques, great spirit, and zanshin. Their martial spirit was evident. As Izawa Sensei shared with everyo ..read more

John-san doing suwari waza for his Sankyu test. On Sunday, November 1, 2015, Kiryu Aikido, Central Coast branch, reached a big milestone: testing our first student. John-san, who initially began practicing with Kiryu Aikido in Colorado in 2010, tested for his Sankyu rank. Our Sunday morning Sunahama classes (practice on the beach) over the past few months helped prepare John-san for a strong, solid test. Kara Stewart was his Uke. We’re building relationships with the California Aikido community, and that led to the kind offer by Aikido Central Coast in San Luis Obispo to host the test a ..read more