Please join us July 27, 2024, from 9:30 am-1:30 pm Central time for the 2024 Midwest Future Leaders Seminar. This event will be held at Great Lakes Aikido, 150 Fairway Drive, Suite 156, Vernon Hills, IL and also be live streamed.
For the future development of Aikido, it's important to bring up the next generation of leaders. With this in mind, we are holding a seminar on July 27, 2024 featuring instruction by people who teach, but who may or may not be the top instructor at their dojo. This seminar will feature four instructors from a variety of lineages and affiliations, each teaching one class. This is a great way for up and coming instructors to experience teaching outside of their own dojo, and for attendees to experience what these instructors have to share.
All affiliations, levels of experience, and styles of Aikido or other arts are welcome to attend!
It’s our intention to have a series of seminars such as this, in various locations, and we hope people will support this endeavor for the future growth of Aikido.
Our Instructors for this training event will be:
Crystal Aldrich Sensei, Yondan, Aikido New London County, United States Aikido Federation
Naomi Barshi Sensei, Nidan, Aikido of Madison, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Daniel Epstein Sensei, Nidan, Great Lakes Aikido, Aikido Shimbokukai
Lana Medvedeva Sensei, Shodan, Midwest Aikido Center, United States Aikido Federation
***NOTE!! This is the first of two back to back events in the same location! July 28 we will host the 2024 Midwest Budo Bridge Seminar. Details can be found HERE! Please join us for both events!
There are a variety of options for participation-
- Participate live; in-person training at Great Lakes Aikido, 150 Fairway Drive, Suite 156, Vernon Hills, IL.
- Participate virtually with your dojo mates from your dojo. For those who can gather and train together, please plan to attend the seminar from your dojo! Set up a computer, stream the event, and train!
- Participate virtually on your own from your home, or any location of your choice.
Please register using the STORE link above in the header. We will also be accepting walk-in registrations. Registration for the seminar is US$40 for in person participation and US$25 for virtual participation. For those with financial constraints please let us know as we have some scholarship options available. All affiliations and levels of experience are welcome!
We look forward to this event, and hope to see you on the mat, in person or virtually!
Registration now open! Click on Store in the Header!
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Registration now open! Click on Store in the Header! 〰️
Instructors
Crystal Aldrich Sensei, Yondan, Aikido New London County, United States Aikido Federation
Crystal Aldrich Sensei is a devoted Aikido practitioner whose journey began with a traditional Japanese apprenticeship under the guidance of the late Richard Stickles Shihan of Aikido Schools of New Jersey. Afterward, she worked with Jerry Zimmerman Shihan of Aikido North Jersey as his Program Director and dojo manager. She is the owner and chief instructor of Aikido New London County in eastern Connecticut.
She firmly believes that within each individual lies a spirit waiting to be refined and nurtured through the practice of Aikido, and she strives to make it accessible to all. Her inclusive approach and dedication make her an exceptional instructor and a source of inspiration in the Aikido community.
Naomi Barshi Sensei, Nidan, Aikido of Madison, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Naomi Barshi Sensei, 2nd Dan, began training in 2005 with Linda Holiday Shihan (7th dan) in Santa Cruz, CA. She moved around the US and Canada for college and graduate school, and trained in USAF-, CAA-, and Shimbokukai-affiliated dojos. She has landed in Madison, WI, where she trains with Robin Cooper Sensei (7th dan). Naomi builds on the rich teachings of her many teachers to combine creativity, sincerity, and self-reflection on the mat and in her daily life.
Daniel Epstein Sensei, Nidan, Great Lakes Aikido, Aikido Shimbokukai
Daniel Epstein Sensei began his martial arts journey in the mid-1980s, studying Judo in middle school and high school. He continued his study of Judo through college in the mid-90s and cross-trained in other styles, including some time studying Aikido at the Midwest Aikido Center. From 1998-2004, Daniel trained intensively in Kokushiryu Jujutsu at the University of Chicago and then turned back to Aikido, studying both at the Chicago Aikikai and again at the Midwest Aikido Center, until 2008.
In 2012, after a break in training, Daniel joined Great Lakes Aikido, studying under Michael Malitsky Sensei. Daniel holds the rank of nidan in Aikido and has been certified as an assistant Aikido teacher (Fukushidoin).
Lana Medvedeva Sensei, Shodan, Midwest Aikido Center, United States Aikido Federation
“I started aikido in 2013 at the Midwest Aikido Center (MAC) where I have been ever since. I have been fortunate to have been able to learn from diverse instructors at the MAC. More recently I have been focusing on exploring and expanding on ukemi and relationship between uke and nage.”