What to read…
Aikido has and always be about training first: actual physical training in the dojo and at seminars. As we try and learn about this art, off the mat, sure – some videos and books along with blogs can be good resources to supplement your training and understanding of Aikido. But take caution on where and from whom you are getting your information or off the mat training. Here is a quick resource guide if you are a student at Aikido of Charlotte of additional resources for your off the mat training:
Our Blog
Our YouTube Channel
Our Vimeo Channel
USAF Online News
Of course, looking over the USAF New Student Guide years later is an excellent way to further your aikido understanding, our lineage, etc.
Additional Aikido teachers you can search online would be any of the United States Aikido Federation Technical Committee.
Y. Yamada Shihan, 8th Dan, Chief Instructor & Technical Director of the USAF
Harvey Konigsberg Shihan, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor of Woodstock Aikido
Claude Berthiaume Shihan, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor of Aikido de la Montagne
Peter Bernath Shihan, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor, Florida Aikikai
Donovan Waite Shihan, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor, Aikido of Greater Philadelphia
Andy Demko Shihan, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor, Aikido Center of New Castle
Robert Zimmerman, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor, Toronto Aikikai
Steve Pimsler, 7th Dan, Senior Instructor, New York Aikikai
My suggestion would be to look up their dojos, YouTube, etc. and follow them. Now, this is not to say that there aren’t extremely gifted Shihan outside our organization that you can read about but this is a good starting point to give you enough experience to decipher who has the real credentials, experience and qualifications to educate about Aikido.
For more from our blog like “What to read….” check back regularly.
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