Melissa Bell Sensei at Bond St Dojo/ July 25-27th 2025

Official ASU Board Communications

Board of Directors Update (December 2023)
Jan 20, 2024 7:43 pm
Memoriam
Sep 20, 2020 8:16 pm

General ASU News

Thoughts on my visit to Myakka City Shrine Dojo
Dec 8, 2023 10:43 pm
Saotome Sensei: Three Types of Aiki
Nov 4, 2023 3:12 pm
What Aikido Means To Me?
Jul 29, 2023 8:20 pm

Upcoming Seminars and Events

Social Updates

Aikido Schools of Ueshiba

1 week ago

"Most people think about promotions and ranking in terms of rungs on a ladder. In fact, it’s more like the expansion of a sphere."

Saotome Sensei, as recalled by Julie "Jet" Tollen

In our summer newsletter, Julie Tollen, one of the instructors at Tampa Aikido, wrote about what an Aikido promotion actually means. Not the technical checklist, but the inner work that leads up to a test, what the kanji on your certificate really say, and the traditional etiquette of receiving one.

Julie has penned thousands of names on ASU kyu certificates since 2015, and the essay includes a full translation and transliteration of a sandan certificate, something most of us have never seen written down.

The complete article is on the Tampa Aikido site:
tampaaikido.com/articles/a-deeper-meaning-for-promotions-in-aikido/

#Aikido #aikidoschoolsofueshiba Tampa Aikido … See MoreSee Less

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Agreed. I’ve always explained the Ku grades as pieces of a pie, completing the first circle, only to graduate shodan and realize there’s a sphere into which one expresses the basics.

Wonderful article sensei! Gives us a lot to think about.

Congratulations!

合気会からの昇段証書では無いですね海外の個人道場の証書ですね

is it?

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Aikido Schools of Ueshiba

4 weeks ago

ASU Winter Intensive will be held at the Sirata Resort from January 6 to January 10, 2027. 🗓
Registration for ASU Winter Intensive is now open for individuals and groups. ASU is pleased to announce the intensive will be led by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and will feature Kimberly Richardson Sensei and Gary Small Sensei as guest instructors! 🥋🎊
As always, bringing your dojo friends helps you save – register four members and the fifth person is free.
Individual : winterintensive.com/wi2xxxx/individual-registration-jan/
Group : winterintensive.com/wi2xxxx/registration-group/
We are looking forward to seeing you on the sugar-white sands of the Sirata resort. 🏖
Room bookings will fill up quickly, so we recommend making your arrangements in advance!
Our group has secured a block of rooms at a discounted rate – please mention "AIKIDO SCHOOLS OF UESHIBA 2027 ROOM BLOCK” when speaking with Sirata staff or register online using the link below. For those who may prefer upgraded accommodations, please contact Jakeya Roberts at 727.363.5230.

winterintensive.com/wi2xxxx/sirata-beach-resort-2027/ … See MoreSee Less

ASU Winter Intensive will be held at the Sirata Resort from January 6 to January 10, 2027. 🗓
Registration for ASU Winter Intensive is now open for individuals and groups. ASU is pleased to announce the intensive will be led by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and will feature Kimberly Richardson Sensei and Gary Small Sensei as guest instructors! 🥋🎊
As always, bringing your dojo friends helps you save – register four members and the fifth person is free.
Individual : winterintensive.com/wi2xxxx/individual-registration-jan/
Group : winterintensive.com/wi2xxxx/registration-group/
We are looking forward to seeing you on the sugar-white sands of the Sirata resort. 🏖
Room bookings will fill up quickly, so we recommend making your arrangements in advance!
Our group has secured a block of rooms at a discounted rate – please mention AIKIDO SCHOOLS OF UESHIBA 2027 ROOM BLOCK” when speaking with Sirata staff or register online using the link below. For those who may prefer upgraded accommodations, please contact Jakeya Roberts at 727.363.5230.

winterintensive.com/wi2xxxx/sirata-beach-resort-2027/

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Aikido Schools of Ueshiba is feeling thankful at Aikido Shobukan Dojo.

1 month ago

At the ASU Summer Camp, Saotome Sensei presented the Shihan certificates awarded by the Doshu and the Aikikai.
Once again, congratulations to Lee Crawford, Marsha Turner, Robert Deppe, Gary Small, and Eugene Lee—not to mention Jim Alvarez and Chetan Prakash (not pictured here)—on this wonderful honor.
#aikido #aikidoaikikai #budo #aikidoschoolsofueshiba #martialartstraining #martialartstraining #MartialArtsCommunity #martialarts #aikidolife #iloveaikido #aikidoka … See MoreSee Less

At the ASU Summer Camp, Saotome Sensei presented the Shihan certificates awarded by the Doshu and the Aikikai.
Once again, congratulations to Lee Crawford, Marsha Turner, Robert Deppe, Gary Small, and Eugene Lee—not to mention Jim Alvarez and Chetan Prakash (not pictured here)—on this wonderful honor.
#aikido #aikidoaikikai #budo #aikidoschoolsofueshiba #martialartstraining #martialartstraining #MartialArtsCommunity #martialarts #aikidolife #iloveaikido #aikidoka

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Bravo

Congratulations everyone!

Felicitaciones!!!

Félicitations 👏 👏

So great! So important!

Congratulations everyone! I was wondering when ASU organization was going to recognize his students with the Shihan certification 😀🙏

Congratulations for all

Congrats all!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all on this significant achievement!!! Well deserved!!!

Congratulations to all

Congratulations everyone!! Amazing achievement.

Congrats!

Congratulations to you all for everything you've accomplished through the years and for the incredible role models you continue to be.

Congratulations…Best senseï ever❤️

Well deserved!

Congratulations everyone what a amazing achievement

Congratulations to everyone!

Congratulations to this wonderful group of sensei!

Saving this. Such a precious moment after so many years and generations of work and discovery. All our relations. The dialogue expands and continues. What a thing to witness. Congratulations!!

Congratulations Shihans 🙏

Congrats to all! 🥋🙏👍😁

This is wonderful. Congratulations to this amazing group of leaders and to Saotome Sensei on his incredible legacy!