Capital Aikido Federation

09/30/2026

We will get more formal announcements out soon... but in the meantime:
Mark your calendars!
November 21st -- All-day training event with guest instructors (free)
December 5th -- Belt testing during morning classes (and likely the holiday party in the evening)

And... next year's belt testing will be on 5/29/27 and 12/4/27

09/30/2026

09/15/2026

There is a lot going on in this clip, some our style, some not. I want to highlight the beginning in particular:
1) It is often hard to get people new to Japanese sword to see that the basic block is the same ikkyo movement as the basic cut. It is very clear here.
2) They do an excellent job showing the ukemi as a continuation of the same cutting movement.

09/02/2026

Another study in basic principles, this time with Bill Plank. Lateral movement in response to a punch, to the inside and the outside. Do not engage your opponent's force, If you try to "block", you will end up with uke is still in the way, and if you turn from straight to block you will be in your own way. Instead, what looks like a block is a movement to control *your* space, and put yourself into an advantageous position.

2025 Spring Seminar held at Valley Aikido Arizona dojo in Glendale,...

09/02/2026

For a change of pace, how about some history?
An interview from 2019, Clyde Takeguchi and Michael Friedl (Head of Division 2 of the California Aikido Association, Aikido of Ashland)

Freidl Sensei (7th Dan Shihan) sits down with his friend, mentor, a...

08/11/2026

Some Nikyo and Sankyo demonstrations to get you thinking on this this fine morning, from Asim of Potomac Aikikai and Valley Aikido - Arizona. Bring uke to where you want them to be, don't stop moving, use full-body movements. Elegant, powerful, martial.

2025 Spring Seminar held at Valley Aikido Arizona dojo in Glendale,...

06/16/2026

Bill says "Somebody did all the work to edit and slow down Tamura's movement in this video. You can easily visualize the vector arrows."
I have a feeling we will be working on a lot of things illustrated in this video over the next few weeks.

Tamura Nobuyoshi shihan, 8ème dan (1933-2010) : Disciple direct de ...

05/26/2026

Some Classic Clyde to brighten your May.
What do I see when I watch this? * Control your space, don't worry about Uke's space, that's theirs. * Control up and down, straight up, and straight down. * After a connection point is established (by yourself or by Uke), move your whole body to the place where you can best control it.
What stands out to you?

P.S. Most of the Uke in this video are, or were, instructors at Capital Aikikai or our affiliate dojos (such as Allegheny Aikikai Aikido and Syracuse Aikido). And a special shout out to Dan Palmer for hosting these videos on youtube.

2003 Capital Aikikai 30 Year Anniversary Class 01 Clyde Takeguchi Shihan

05/13/2026

05/12/2026