DOJO NEWS & EVENTS
Seminar Fundraiser FOR the NY AIKIKAI Building Fund
Join us for a special fundraiser seminar for the New York Aikikai Capital Campaign, featuring NY Aikikai Chief Instructor Steve Pimsler, Shihan, and NY Aikikai Board President and Senior Instructor, Sharon Dominguez, Shidoin.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
10:30 AM–1:30 PM. Food & refreshments to follow
Aikido of Westchester
218 E. Hartsdale Ave.
Hartsdale, NY 10605
SUGGESTED DONATION: $60
All proceeds go directly to the NY Aikikai Building Fund.
PARKING: Free on Pipeline Road »
Learn more about our parent dojo, where it all started: The New York Aikikai »
ALOHA SPRING AIKIDO SEMINAR
Join us on Saturday, March 25 for our Aloha Spring Aikido seminar featuring James Soviero, 6th dan, Shidoin, from Aikido of Redbank. All are welcome.
WHEN: SATURDAY, March 25, 2023
Starts at 11 AM
Potluck to follow
FEE: $40
PARKING: Free on Pipeline Road »
Sensei Soviero has been practicing and teaching Aikido for over 30 years. He taught as an assistant instructor at Aikido Schools of New Jersey where he spent almost three years as a full-time apprentice, or "uchi deshi" to Rick Stickles Shihan. He also served on the instruction staff at the New York Aikikai, which is the headquarters of the United States Aikido Federation.
Jim regularly trains at seminars around the country with some of the world's leading teachers. A Red Bank native, he founded Aikido of Red Bank in 2002, a member dojo of the United States Aikido Federation. He continues his practice as a student as well as an instructor under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan.
Free introduction to AIKIDO
Get Fit with AIKIDO – Free introductory class. You don’t need any martial art experience to participate. Simply show up in loose-fitting exercise clothing and have fun!
This introductory session is open to youths and adults who have the desire to learn the non-competitive Japanese martial of AIKIDO. There is no obligation to become a member after your trial class.
SATURDAYS 10:30 – 11:45 AM
Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Make a reservation »
Parking info »
Ikebana Workshop
Join us on Saturday, February 11, 2023 for an introductory class to Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging. The workshop will be instructed by Sachiyo (Hoyu) Hotta. Hotta Sensei has been studying Sogetsu Ikebana for over 20 years and holds the rank of 2nd kyu Shihan Jyoin Sanyo.
The workshop will focus on Sogetsu School Ikebana basics of composition and proper techniques for handling plant materials and tools.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 2 PM
WHERE: Aikido of Westchester, 218 E Hartsdale Ave, Hartsdale, NY
Duration: 90 minutes
FEE: $60 – Flowers are included*
REGISTER by February 7, 2023 »
*No refunds after 2/7/23. Participants may bring their own gardening shears if they prefer. Flowers may be taken home after the workshop but loaned tools and vases may not.
THE DOJO IS OPEN!
August 27, 2022 | Aikido and Battojutsu Swordsmanship classes are now in session. Visitors welcome! Take a peek at the new space, watch the video »
Curious about AIKIDO or BATTOJUSTU Japanese swordsmanship? Sign up for a FREE introductory class »
IT'S OFFICIAL, We're Moving!
June 1, 2022 | We're thrilled to confirm that after operating for 25 years in White Plains, the dojo will relocate to a bigger space at 218 E. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale, NY, across the street from the Hartsdale train station. The new dojo will have a larger mat area, spacious change rooms with showers, two bathrooms, air conditioning, and convenient parking behind the building. We are moving on August 1, 2022. The dojo will reopen in Hartsdale after renovations on August 20.
EMPOWERING A NEW GENERATION
December 2, 2019
We're delighted to introduce our first Aikido scholarship recipient. Meet Elizabeth, a vibrant 7-year old local White Plains resident who is always first to jump at a new challenge in her aikido class. The scholarship will allow Elizabeth to continue her practice for the next 12 months at Aikido of Westchester. If you would like to sponsor a local enthusiast like Elizabeth, you can easily do so by donating below.
The Aikido Scholarship Program was created in memory of our friend and Aikido of Westchester instructor, Pat Dougherty. Its mission is to provide affordable memberships to youths and adults from local underserved and low-income communities, as well as victims of domestic abuse.
Pat Dougherty Memorial
Fundraising Aikido Seminar | November 17, 2019.
We wish to thank everyone who participated in the fundraising seminar on Sunday. Your generous contributions helped considerably!
People from all over came together in the name of love. This is what Aikido is all about.
If you were unable to participate but wish to donate, you still can»
Special thanks to guest instructors Jerry Zimmerman of Aikido North Jersey, Claire Keller of Bushwick Dojo and to our very own, Douglas Firestone of Westchester Aikido.
PAT DOUGHERTY MEMORIAL FUNDRAISING SEMINAR
Sunday, November 17, 2019 / 10:30 AM – 2 PM
Potluck lunch to follow.
Suggested donation $40*
We are grateful to the following special guest instructors for donating their time:
Douglas Firestone, 7th Dan Shihan of Aikido of Westchester
Claire Keller, 6th Dan Shidoin, of Bushwick dojo
Jerry Zimmerman, 6th Dan Shidoin of Aikido North Jersey
*All seminar proceeds will go to Pat's beloved wife Jeanie and his daughters Sophia and Catherine.
IT’S ALMOST SPRING! SEMINAR
Featuring Montérégie Aikikai’s Joshua Layton, 5th dan, Shidoin and Marilène Gélinas, 2nd dan Fukushidoin
Sunday, March 10, 2019 10:30am – 2:30pm.
About Layton and Gélinas Senseis:
Joshua Layton is a full-time professional Aikido instructor and Chief Instructor of Montérégie Aikikai in Longueuil, Québec. Joshua has devoted his life to the practice and teaching of Aikido since 1999, and has studied under eminent teachers from Japan, the US and Canada. He continues training under the guidance of Y. Yamada Sensei, 8th dan, a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba the founder of Aikido. Joshua is also a teacher of the traditional martial art of Japanese swordsmanship, Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido, which he began under the late M. Kanai Sensei, 8th dan.
Marilène Gélinas is a founding member and an instructor at Montérégie Aikikai. She began her Aikido training in 2006 and has practiced intensively since the beginning, learning from many teachers including her husband Joshua. To deepen her training she regularly takes part in seminars at her home dojo, across North America and abroad.
AIKIDO OF WESTCHESTER 20TH ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR
Featuring Yoshimitsu Yamada, 8th dan, Shihan and Steve Pimsler, 7th dan Shihan
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Aikido of Westchester celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 3, 2017. We're grateful to our special guest instructors Yoshimitsu Yamada shihan and Steve Pimsler shihan for leading this very special seminar, and to all of our friends who joined us for a day of practice and festivities.
– Douglas and Sylvie Firestone
Click on the image above to activate the 20th anniversary seminar photo gallery
Post class group picture taken 11/19/16 | Photo: Tamara Magnitsky
AUTUMN SEMINAR
Featuring Claire Keller, 6th dan of NY Aikikai.
SATURDAY, November 19, 2016
11:30am–2:30pm
Thanksgiving potluck party to follow.
Seminar fee $40
ABOUT KELLER SENSEI
Claire began her study of aikido in 1980. During her time on the mat, Claire has been fortunate to study intensively with a number of O Sensei's direct students: Chiba Sensei, Kanai Sensei, Yamada Sensei and Sugano Sensei and many of these great teachers' senior students like Hal Lehrman Sensei.
A 6th dan shidoin, Claire began teaching in the late 1980s and also teaches at New York Aikikai and Aikido of Red Bank. Claire also teaches seminars around the U.S. and in the Dominican Republic and continues practicing regularly.
Her practice of aikido is dedicated to developing her capacity for healing both physically and emotionally.
AOW 19TH ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR
Featuring Laura Jacobs Pavlick, 6th dan, chief Instructor of Litchfield Hills Aikikai.
SEMINAR DATE:
Saturday, September 10, 2016 | 1–3:30pm
ABOUT PAVLICK SENSEI:
Laura Pavlick Sensei began practising Aikido in 1981 at the New York Aikikai (NYA) under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, 8th dan. As a shodan, she was assigned to teach a regularly scheduled class at NYA while also taking several classes daily. In the early 1990s she moved to northwestern Connecticut and opened Litchfield Hills Aikikai, in Bantam, Ct where she has been Chief Instructor since its inception.
Pavlick Sensei's classes left us all inspired. Post class group picture taken 9/10/16 | Photo: Tamara Magnitsky
AIKIDO SPRING SEMINAR
SATURDAY, May 7, 2016 11AM-2:30PM
The Dynamic Duo, aka Bobbie Velez, 3rd dan and Chuck Mensh, 5th dan of NY Aikikai are bringing an exciting day of training to Aikido of Westchester Saturday, May 7. The classes will be followed by a post seminar Happy Hour at the dojo.
End of Winter seminar group photo, March 5, 2016 | Photo: Tamara Magnitsky
AIKIDO END OF WINTER SEMINAR
Featuring Sharon Silberstein Dominguez, 5th dan, shidoin, of NY Aikikai
SATURDAY, March 5, 2016 11AM-2:30PM
ABOUT DOMINGUEZ SENSEI
Sharon Dominguez was introduced to aikido in 1984 by Masahilo M. Nakazono sensei while studying kototama medicine as his protégé in New Mexcio. In 1988 Dominguez sensei enrolled at the New York Aikikai where she fully immersed herself in the art.
“At the time, as members of the New York Aikikai, we didn't know what we had" she recalls, "two shihans at their peak, senior students who are now shihans training and teaching frequently. Turns out, something special was going on. It was awfully rough and tumble in those days. While I was drawn to the dynamic and beautiful technique of Yamada sensei and still am, it was Sugano sensei who blew me away. Yamada sensei was on the road a fair amount and Sugano sensei, who held up the fort, was a major influence on us. At first, I had no idea what I was doing. I had less of an idea what Sugano sensei was doing. I barely understood his Kermit-meets-Yoda way of speaking, but to see all the energy he was generating, his transcendent, kind nature, I knew he was a perfect complement to Nakazono sensei.
My approach and understanding of Aikido today is very much the product of being a 30 year practitioner of Kototama Medicine along with all the influences I've been fortunate to absorb. Flow of life energy in balance awakens me. I believe that Aikido is transcendence, a system to realize who and what we truly are. Practiced with a clear spirit from the heart can connect you to your true self, become one with your partner and flow with the universal laws. We transcend our limited beliefs, our illusions, to become love. It is getting in touch with the creator inside us and within others through the infinity flow of life energy. That is what I was taught by Nakazono sensei learning the medicine and experienced it with Sugano sensei. Divisiveness is the grand illusion. We lost an understanding of who and what we are. Aikido is a vehicle to restore that awareness.”
2015 Fall seminar group photo, November 14, 2015 | Photo: Tamara Magnitsky
2015 FALL SEMINAR
Featuring Jerry Zimmerman, 6th dan, Shidoin, of Aikido North Jersey
SATURDAY, November 14, 2015 11AM-2:30PM
Please join us for a fun day of training with our friends from New Jersey. Jerry Zimmerman sensei is known for his strong, fundamental style and is sure to bring some good spirited energy on the mat. See you there!
Seminar fee $40 with Potluck to follow.
18th ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR
Featuring Shihans Barbara Britton, 6th dan & David Halprin, 7th dan
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2015 11AM-2:30PM
Aikido of Westchester will be turning 18 this August 2015!
Come celebrate with us!
SPRING AIKIDO SEMINAR
Featuring NY Aikikai's Claire Keller, 6th dan
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015, 11AM-2:15PM
We hope you will join us this spring for our first seminar of the year. We are really looking forward to having Claire teach two excellent classes followed by a delicious potluck. The seminar fee is $40. Mark your calendars!
JAPANESE SWORDSMANSHIP 101 WORKSHOP (FREE)
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015 @ 11:45AM
Join us for a 1-hour introductory workshop focusing on an entry level overview of Japanese swordsmanship, along with a fun practice session of gekken.
FREE INTRODUCTION TO AIKIDO
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 @ 11:30AM
Join us for an introductory Aikido class. You do not need to be physically fit or have martial art experience to participate, you only have to bring loose fitting exercise clothing and arrive at least 15 minutes before the class to register. Simply show up with an open mind and we promise you will have fun.
This session is open to all over 12 years of age. There is no obligation to join the membership.
For more information about this workshop, contact us »