Prairie Aikikai

Prairie Aikikai Prairie Aikikai is dedicated to the practice of the martial art of Aikido, a method of self-protection suitable for any age or physical ability!

About Aikido
What is Aikido? Aikido is a modern Japanese Budo (Martial Way). Kyudo (archery), Kendo (swordsmanship), Bojutsu (staff fighting), Tantojutsu (knife fighting) are some examples of armed Budo. Judo, Karate, and Aikido are examples of unarmed Budo. Properly practiced, all of these arts use martial training as a means of building character and integrity. How is Aikido different from other

martial arts? According to Master Ueshiba's teachings, self-defense must always comply with certain ethical imperatives. The essence of this idea can be summarized in four levels of combat:

In the lowest form of ethical combat a man attacks and kills another without provocation and on his own initiative. In the next form, the man invites an attack, either through an insulting remark or gesture. When eventually attacked, he responds by killing the one he had provoked. This man is not guilty of an actual attack, but is responsible for inciting the other man. But the end result is the same: a person is killed. In the third level the man neither attacks nor provokes another to attack. When assaulted, however, he defends himself in a subjective manner, injuring his attacker, perhaps seriously. Ethically this is a more defensible action than the previous two.But, this method of protecting himself from danger results in harm to another. Aikido seeks to develop the fourth and highest level of ethical self-defense. Neither attacking nor provoking an attack, all practitioners can learn to defend themselves with such skill and control that the attacker is neither killed nor seriously injured. This is the intention of the Budo developed by Master Ueshiba.

Seminar with Tomoleoni Shihan & Rank PromotionThank you sensei Lisa and everyone for a great seminar, also thank you eve...
07/16/2026

Seminar with Tomoleoni Shihan & Rank Promotion
Thank you sensei Lisa and everyone for a great seminar, also thank you everyone for bringing all the great food!
Congratulation to Gracia on her 3rd Dan promotion and to Phat on his Shodan promotion!

🔪 Knife Seminar 2026Prairie Aikikai is pleased to share this excellent training opportunity hosted by Great Lakes Aikido...
07/12/2026

🔪 Knife Seminar 2026

Prairie Aikikai is pleased to share this excellent training opportunity hosted by Great Lakes Aikido.

Whether you're an Aikido practitioner or train in another martial art, this seminar offers practical instruction in knife awareness, defensive tactics, and traditional martial principles applied to modern situations.

Topics include:
• Knife handling and basic offensive skills
• Situational awareness and conflict avoidance
• Practical unarmed defenses and disarming techniques
• Reflex-building drills for surprise attacks
• Defensive use of a knife
• Tactics for mutually armed encounters

📅 Saturday, July 18, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Great Lakes Aikido
158 N Fairway Drive
Vernon Hills, IL 60061

The seminar will be led by Matt Lowry Sensei (Yondan, Shidoin), who has over 35 years of martial arts experience and teaches with an emphasis on movement, awareness, positioning, and practical self-defense.

This event is open to martial artists of all styles, ranks, and experience levels. If you have a training tanto or knife trainer, please bring it. Otherwise, just wear comfortable clothing suitable for training.

💲 Registration: $50
Booking and payment link
https://gymdesk.greatlakesaikido.org/book?date=2026-07-18&s=1644396&schedule=19708

After training, participants are invited to join everyone for food and fellowship at a nearby restaurant.

We encourage anyone interested in expanding their understanding of martial awareness and practical application to consider attending. We hope to see you on the mat! 🥋

🥋 Aikido Summer Camp 2026Prairie Aikikai is pleased to share an exceptional training opportunity hosted by Boulder Aikik...
06/10/2026

🥋 Aikido Summer Camp 2026

Prairie Aikikai is pleased to share an exceptional training opportunity hosted by Boulder Aikikai and Aikido Shimbokukai.

From July 22-26, 2026, practitioners will have the opportunity to train with Terumasa Hino Shihan of Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, along with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Tres Hofmeister Shihan, and Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan.

This expanded summer camp features intensive training sessions each morning and afternoon, offering a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of Aikido through several days of focused practice and study.

📅 July 22-26, 2026
📍 Boulder Aikikai, Boulder, Colorado
💻 Hybrid Event (In-Person and Zoom)

Whether you attend in person or online, this is a rare chance to train with highly respected instructors and connect with the broader Aikido community.

Scholarships are available, and both full-camp and partial attendance options are offered.

For more information and registration:
https://boulderaikikai.org/sc

We hope to see many Prairie Aikikai members and friends on the mat this summer!

Boulder Aikikai and Aikido Shimbokukai are coming together for a special 2026 summer camp event with special guest, Terumasa Hino shihan :: Aikido Hombu Dojo, Tokyo and Hiroshi Ikeda shihan :: Boulder Aikikai, Tres Hofmeister shihan :: Boulder Aikikai, Lisa Tomoleoni shihan :: Aikido Shimbokukai Dir...

🥋 Boulder Aikikai Summer Camp 2026 🏔️Prairie Aikikai is excited to share this upcoming summer training opportunity hoste...
05/17/2026

🥋 Boulder Aikikai Summer Camp 2026 🏔️

Prairie Aikikai is excited to share this upcoming summer training opportunity hosted by Boulder Aikikai and Aikido Shimbokukai.

Join an outstanding group of instructors including:
• Terumasa Hino Shihan – Aikido Hombu Dojo, Tokyo
• Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan – Boulder Aikikai
• Tres Hofmeister Shihan – Boulder Aikikai
• Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan – Aikido Shimbokukai

📅 July 22–26, 2026
📍 Boulder Aikikai – Boulder, Colorado

This five-day event offers intensive Aikido training, community, and the chance to practice with students and instructors from across the country and beyond. Both in-person and online participation options are available.

The seminar includes:
• Multiple daily training sessions
• Weekend-only and online registration options
• Saturday evening celebration party
• Opportunities for practitioners of many backgrounds and affiliations to train together

Registration is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

For full details and registration:
https://www.boulderaikikai.org/boulder-aikido-summer-camp

We hope many of our dojo friends and the wider Aikido community can take part in this special event. 🌿

Boulder Aikikai and Aikido Shimbokukai are coming together for a special 2026 summer camp event with special guest, Terumasa Hino shihan :: Aikido Hombu Dojo, Tokyo and Hiroshi Ikeda shihan :: Boulder Aikikai, Tres Hofmeister shihan :: Boulder Aikikai, Lisa Tomoleoni shihan :: Aikido Shimbokukai Dir...

04/24/2026
.... and more promotion pictures from the audience :)Again, congratulations to all new promotees!
04/24/2026

.... and more promotion pictures from the audience :)
Again, congratulations to all new promotees!

Congratulations to Sim, Lynn, Kirk & Phat on their rank promotion!
04/23/2026

Congratulations to Sim, Lynn, Kirk & Phat on their rank promotion!

04/20/2026

Aikido Demonstration at the Sycamore Public Library

Address

27499 Five Points Road
Sycamore, IL
60178

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30pm - 9pm
Thursday 6:30pm - 9pm
Saturday 9:30am - 11am

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