Get ready for the 2026 Dojo Annual Fundraiser and Party — the best ever silent auction and holiday party!

Annual Fundraiser and Party

Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8pm

Our silent auction is the only fundraising event we hold during the year. It helps us to:

• Fund materials and equipment for the kids program;
• Provides free or reduced membership rates for Aikido training;
• Fund visiting instructors and special training (free to members);
• Fund seminars;
• Improve our facilities.

More information

Bring your checkbook, cash, or your PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, and get ready to bid on some amazing items! Members, family, friends, neighbors, and community members are welcome to join us for this great event at our Capitol Hill dojo location!

In addition to the silent auction, there will be a photo booth, kids’ program update, potluck dinner, and several fun events.

More information | Donate items for the silent auction

• Nov. 21: Joanne Veneziano Sensei will be teaching on the third Saturday of each month at the Capitol Hill dojo.
• Nov. 21: Testing at the Capitol Hill dojo.
• Nov 25 to 27: Thanksgiving Break (no classes).
• Dec 5: Annual fundraiser and party.
• Dec. 23 to Jan. 1: Winter Break (no classes).
• Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Misogi.
• Jan 2 to 9: Kangeiko.
• Jan 15 to 17: Kristina Varjan Shihan at Tacoma Aikikai.

Recent Promotions

• 5th Kyu: Jessica
• 3rd Kyu: Clayton
• 2nd Kyu: Zach
• Sandan: Amanda, Wini, and Dominic

Congratulations to all!

The Two Sides of Ego

Sandan essay by Amanda Page

“Imagine a coin — just a regular coin, nothing special. It has two sides, a head and a tail. Usually made out of copper or nickel, it has no intrinsic value. But it has an imaginary value — let’s say 25¢ — the value our economy places on it. The Federal Reserve then dictates that this valueless coin represents the same value of a small chunk of gold, which we have decided is valuable.

Now imagine that this coin represents ego. Ego, like the coin, has an imaginary value that we, as individuals, give it. Ego consists of stories we tell ourselves and others about us. “Who I am,” “why I’m special,” “what activities or interests make me who I am?” Like a lot of stories, these are illusions and are not based on objective truth. Our version of “who we are” changes constantly — so do the stories we tell about ourselves.

The stories we tell to feed our ego props up our concept of self like concrete poured into a hole to shore up a sagging fencepost. But unlike the concrete and the fencepost, feeding the ego will just provide a temporary fix. We can never make the stories we tell about ourselves objectively true, because we change constantly. Focusing on them and feeding the ego eventually leads to behavior that makes people not want to train with you, or in a worst case scenario, to the collapse of your self-image.” Read the full essay on Medium.

Dojo Space Rental

Know someone who needs a great space to move, teach, or gather?

Seattle Aikikai is looking for a few like-minded people and organizations to share our dojo spaces when we’re not on the mat. If you know an instructor, practitioner, small organization, or community group that might be a good fit, send this their way. Read more about details, photos, rates, and availability.

“When you bow deeply to the universe it bows back. When you call out the name of the divine it echoes deep inside of you.” 

— O-Sensei

Testing

We will be announcing dates for upcoming kyu tests very soon. Come support your classmates and the dojo.

• Oct. 3: Monthly Theme Class atCapitol Hill (No classes at Uptown)
• Oct.  9 to 11: Yoko Okamoto Sensei Seminar, hosted by Portland Aikikai
• Oct. 18: Cleaning Party at the Capitol Hill dojo
• Oct. 19: Jan Nevelius Sensei at Capitol Hill. Sign up at the dojo, as attendance will be limited. Reserve your spot by Oct. 5 to attend this class. We will be collecting donations for this class, which are optional but appreciated.
• Oct. 19 to 25: Jan Nevelius Sensei in Seattle
• Oct. 21 to 25: Filling the Well: Barcelona Aikido Retreat
• Nov. 25 to 27: Thanksgiving break — no classes
• Dec. 5: End of Year Party and Fundraiser
• Dec. 23 to Jan 1: Winter break — no classes
• Dec. 31, 6pm: New Year’s Eve Misogi
• Jan. 2 to 9: Kangeiko 2027
• Jan 15 to 17: Kristina Varjan Shihan at Tacoma Aikikai

Space rental

Know someone who needs a great space to move, teach, or gather? Seattle Aikikai is looking for a few like-minded people and organizations to share our dojo spaces when we’re not on the mat.

We have beautiful, dedicated movement spaces in Capitol Hill and Uptown, and we’d especially love to connect with teachers and groups whose work feels compatible with our community—martial arts, somatic practices, dance, movement, wellness, workshops, trainings, and other creative possibilities.

Both spaces have tatami-style mats, changing areas and WiFi, with different amenities and personalities. Our Uptown dojo has natural light and a mirrored wall; Capitol Hill has high ceilings, large storefront windows, a shower, and a kitchen area.

Spaces are available for ongoing weekly classes as well as occasional workshops, seminars and events.

Members, please help us spread the word! If you know an instructor, practitioner, small organization, or community group that might be a good fit, tag them or send this their way. Details, photos, rates & availability.

“Research and development in any field should drive practice, not tradition.”

— Christopher Mulligan Sensei, Aikido Kyoto

Fall Introduction to Aikido six-week courses

Please help spread the work by inviting any friends, family, co-workers, etc to join us. This is a great opportunity to share this practice with others in your life. Link.

Tuesdays, Sep. 9 to Oct. 14: Uptown dojo
Saturdays, Oct 4 to Nov. 8: Capitol Hill dojo

• Sep. 2: Classes resume
• Sep. 6: Monthly Theme Class at Capitol Hill — no classes at Uptown
• Sep. 13, noon to 2pm: Cleaning Party at Capitol Hill
• Sep. 20, 11:00am: Joanne Veneziano Sensei at Capitol Hill
• Sep. 21: Self-Defense Class with senseis Ea Murphy and Neilufar Naini
  Self-defense and empowerment class with Aikido instructors Ea Murphy and Neilufar Naini, Sunday, Sep. 21, starting at 4pm. This workshop centers empowerment, boundary setting, and the deep connection between personal and collective safety. No uniform or prior martial arts experience needed, and non-aikido friends and family are welcome. Registration and full description
• Sep. 24: 5:30pm: Book Club at Capitol Hill. Our next read is “Traditions,” by David Lowry, a collection of essays about practicing budo. Pick your favorites and get ready to meet on Wednesday Sep. 24th at 5:30pm at the Capitol Hill dojo for discussion.
• Sep. 27, 12:30 to 2pm: Cleaning Party at Uptown
• Oct. 4: Monthly Theme Class at Capitol Hill. No classes at Uptown

Update Your Zen Planner Profile

At Seattle Aikikai, we want everyone in our community to feel safe, respected, and seen. We recognize and respect the diversity of gender identities within our dojo, and we want everyone to feel fully seen and supported in their training. You can have your pronouns appear in the Zen Planner check-in app by entering them after your last name in your profile. This simple step helps fellow members identify you correctly and strengthens our dojo as an affirming community for all.

Fresh Eyes, New Insights

Thanks to our Guest Instructors. Training with guests is a powerful way to deepen your Aikido practice. Special thanks to our recent guest instructors Jamie Zimron, Liese Klein, Joanne Veneziano, and Neilufar Naini Senseis.

And we are thrilled to have guest instructor Christopher Mulligan Sensei joining us on Saturday Aug. 9 at 11am for the morning class at Capitol Hill (Uptown classes are cancelled on Aug. 9).

Mulligan Sensei, along with Yoko Okamoto Sensei from Aikido Kyoto, have been hugely influential in the support and growth of Seattle Aikikai over the last 28 years. Don’t miss this opportunity to train with him before the weekend seminar Aug 15-17 at Portland Aikikai. You can also learn more about his background and approach to teaching aikido from this interview in Aikido Journal.

Annual Party

We are planning our annual end-of-the-year party and fundraiser. Please take our survey to help us choose a date.

Upcoming Events

• Aug.2, 11:00: Monthly Theme Class at Capitol Hill (no class at Uptown)
• Aug. 4 – 8: Youth Aikido Summer Camp at Capitol Hill
• Aug. 9, 11am: Chris Mulligan Shihan at Capitol Hill (no class at Uptown)
• Aug. 15 to 17: Chris Mulligan Shihan at Portland Aikikai
• Aug. 21 to 24: Tacoma Aikikai Gasshuku. Registration for non-Tacoma Aikikai members is by email only. Email tacomaaikikai@gmail.com to sign up.
• Aug. 23 to Sept. 1: Summer Vacation
  The dojo is closed. Classes resume Sept. 2.
• Sept. to Nov.: Introduction to Aikido Courses at both locations
• Sept. 20, 11am: Joanne Veneziano Sensei at Capitol Hill
• Sept. 21: Self-Defense Class with senseis Ea Murphy and Neilufar Naini
• Sept. 21: Self-Defense and Empowerment class with aikido instructors Ea Murphy and Neilufar Naini, Sunday, September 21, starting at 16:00. This workshop centers empowerment, boundary setting, and the deep connection between personal and collective safety. No uniform or prior martial arts experience needed so please help spread the word and invite non-aikido friends and family.

Book Club

“The Intuitive Body: Discovering the Wisdom of Conscious Embodiment and Aikido,” by Wendy Palmer.

“The Intuitive Body” deeply touched some of us, baffled others, and made us all think about Aikido and life in new ways. We highly recommend this read for its personal, digested perspective on Aikido and Zen principles, and its practical and accessible exercises for more fully experiencing your body, your training, and your daily life. Wendy shares a rich tapestry of stories that help not just see, but deeply feel. Though some of us found her language difficult to fully parse, we were all transported to a deeper understanding through her stories.

A copy is available at the Capitol Hill dojo to borrow.

Our next read is “Traditions,” by David Lowry, a collection of essays about practicing budo. Pick your favorites and get ready to meet in two months on Wednesday Sept. 24th during second class for discussion.

“Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete; it’s a sense of harmony. It is essential to maintaining quality in life.”

— Joshua Osenga

Upcoming Events

• Nov. 11, 9am-3pm: Veteran’s Day Kids Samurai Challenge Camp. No 5pm Kids class.
• Nov. 28: Closed for Thanksgiving
• Dec. 7:
  • 9:30am: Kids Belt Tests
  • 5pm: Annual Party & Auction
  • 5:30pm: Kids Demo
• Dec. 23-30: Dojo Closed for Holiday Break
• Dec. 31, 6pm: Special New Year’s Eve Practice (all are welcome)
• Jan. 20, 2020: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Kids Aikido Camp, 9am-3pm

Annual winter party Dec. 7, at 5pm

This year’s annual party and fundraiser on Dec. 7th will include a silent auction, kids aikido demos, and presentation on “the power to tenkan in your daily life.” Please invite family and friends to join us for this lively and fun evening! Seattle Aikikai is a 501(c)3 non-profit dojo, and we rely on donations that we raise at this fundraiser  to subsidize our programs and scholarship fund.

Silent auction