(619) 892-0295
Jiai Aikido 20th Anniversary Fundraiser Seminar
june 30-july 2, 2023
In Person and Virtual options
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of Jiai Aikido. After encouragement from Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Jiai Aikido was founded in 2003 by one of his long time students, Jeff Sodeman Sensei, now 5 Dan, in 2003. Sodeman Sensei, in 2011, passed the dojo to Cat Strada Sensei, 4 Dan, who is now Dojo Cho and Chief Instructor. Joining Strada Sensei on the instructor team is Tom Liu Sensei, 4 Dan.
For many years Jiai has been the home base for many big events that have supported the entire Aikido community. Jiai was the host of the original Aikido Bridge Seminar, and we just celebrated the 18th Anniversary of the Bridge Seminar this past January.
Jiai has been a place of connection for Aikido practitioners worldwide, for many years now. The instructors and the students have worked diligently at training, and to keep the dojo open, despite rising costs of rent and utilities. Before the pandemic the dojo was growing strong, but like many businesses, recovery is slow.
If we do have to move we will. But the size of this dojo, the build out that was done, the history, location, and atmosphere is very special...so we would like to be able to keep this space, for Jiai and for the Aikido community as a whole.
Please join us for this fundraising seminar June 30-July 2. Everyone is welcome, all styles, all affiliations, all levels of experience. This seminar will be held both in person and online via Zoom.
Instructors will be: Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan, Cat Strada Sensei, Jeff Sodeman Sensei, AlejAndro Anastasio Sensei, and Alex Garcia Sensei.
In addition to hours of wonderful training we will be having some other activities, to put the fun in fundraising!
These include:
Auction! We will hold a Silent Auction of training-related (or not!) items. *Note- if you have a product, artwork, or service you would like to donate as an auction item please let us know, we appreciate all contributions!
Private Ukemi Lessons! Register for a 30-minute private ukemi lesson from Cat Sensei, to be held during a lunch break, or at a time decided upon by both you and Cat Sensei. Dojo is asking a $45 donation for the session.
Saturday Night Fiesta at the Dojo! Join us for a celebratory dinner with music and food (Mexican). Family friendly, everyone is welcome, not just Aikido practitioners. Party is $30 donation.
Sponsor a Mat Campaign! For a $100 donation you can support Jiai Aikido and sponsor a mat or mats for 2023! Your name will be attached to the bottom of the mat or mats you sponsor. We will also be providing all sponsors a layout of the mat area, with each person's name on their sponsored mats. A copy of the mat layout will be hung in the dojo for everyone who comes to the dojo to see.
The schedule for the event is (Pacific Time):
Friday June 30 3:00-6:30pm
3:00-3:45pm - Alex Garcia Sensei
3:45-4:30pm - Cat Strada Sensei
4:30-5:30pm - Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan
5:30- 6:30 - Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan
Social Gathering at Local Hot Spot!
Saturday July 1 9:30am-5:30pm
9:30-10:30am Lisa Tomoleoni Sensei
10:30-11:30am Cat Strada Sensei
11:30am-12:30pm Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan
lunch
2:30-3:30pm Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan
3:30-4:30pm Jeff Sodeman Sensei
4:30-5:30pm Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan
Dojo Fiesta Party
Sunday July 2 9:30am-3:30pm
9:30-10:15am Alejandro Anastasio Sensei
10:15-11:00am - Jeff Sodeman Sensei
11:00am-12:00pm - Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan
lunch
1:30-2:30pm - Cat Strada Sensei
2:30-3:30pm - Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan
Please register via the PayPal links below. Registration fees for training as well as other activities can be found in the drop down menu. There is a separate button for the "Sponsor a Mat Campaign". Also, if you would like to contribute outside of seminar activities, please us the "Donate" button below to do so. We will not exclude anyone based on financial considerations, so please feel free to contact us. For virtual attendees, the link and login information will be sent out prior to the event, along with any requests of equipment from instructors.
**** We have an EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPTION until MAY 1- The full seminar for $140, an amost "%% discounted rate!
(*Jiai Aikido is not a non-profit organization) Thank you for your participation and support!
Seminar and Activities Registration
Sponsor a Mat Campaign
Additional Contributions to Jiai Aikido
Instructors for the event
Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan , 7th Dan
Chief Instructor, Boulder Aikikai
Aikido Shimbokukai, Vice President
Hiroshi Ikeda is founder and chief instructor of Boulder Aikikai. He began his study of Aikido in 1968 while at university. Upon graduation, he trained regularly at Hombu Dojo and at Saotome Sensei's Remeijuki Dojo. In 1978 he moved to the U.S., and in 1980 established Boulder Aikikai. Ikeda Shihan is affiliated to Hombu Dojo through Aikido Shimbokukai.
Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan, 6th Dan
Director, Aikido Shimbokukai
Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan spent over 14 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She founded Abiding Spirit Aikikai in IL, and is the Director of Aikido Shimbokukai, an organization Officially Recognized by the Aikikai Foundation and Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Cat Strada Sensei, 4th Dan
Dojo Cho, Jiai Aikido
Cat Strada Sensei started Aikido at Jiai Aikido in 2007 under Jeff Sodeman Sensei. Now Dojo Cho, she offers innovative classes influenced by her systema and ju jutsu training, such as No-Gi Aikido, Applied and Adaptive Aikido, and Adaptive Ukemi. Strada Sensei is currently obtaining her Systema Instructor in Training Certification, and runs the San Diego Systema program. Her Aikido is inspired by her students, and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Jeff Sodeman Sensei, Frank Doran Shihan, Christian Tissier Shihan, Mary Heiny Sensei, Morihiko Murashige Shihan, Kevin Choate Sensei, Roy Harris BJJ, and Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan.
Jeff Sodeman Sensei, 5th Dan
Founder, Jiai Aikido
Jeff Sodeman Sensei began Aikido at Boulder Aikikai under Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan in September 1993. In 2003, following Ikeda Shihan's suggestion, he moved to San Diego, California and opened Jiai Aikido. In addition to being the head instructor, he was able to continue being a student for many years under Morihiko Murashige Shihan.
Sodeman Sensei began training in Systema in 2005 and is a certified Systema instructor and the founder of San Diego Systema.
AlejAndro Anastasio Sensei, 4th Dan
Chief Instructor, Three Shapes Aikido, Idaho
AlejAndro Anastasio Sensei currently holds the rank of Yon Dan or fourth degree black under the guidance of Aikido Shimbokukai and Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. He has over 24 years of Aikido experience and training. He owned and operated a full-time professional Aikido dojo for 10 years and has traveled extensively to further his understanding of Aikido and to share that knowledge with his students.
Alex Garcia Sensei, 2nd Dan,
Chief Instructor, Circulo de Aikido Tijuana, Mexico, Evolutionary Aikido Community
Alex Garcia Sensei began his aikido practice in 2005 with Victor Alvarado Sensei. In 2022 he received the rank of Ni Dan (2nd Dan) with the mentoring of Dave Goldberg Sensei of thr Evolutionary Aikido Community. He is currently the dojo cho of Circulo de Aikido Tijuana which opened its doors in May 2015. His interests are exploring Aikido as a body language to connect with people and understanding ourselves better through additional studies of contemporary dance discipline and zen meditation.
