BIRTHDAY BASH SEMINAR?

DON’T MIND IF WE DO!

A promotional flyer for a martial arts birthday bash and seminar event. The flyer features images of martial artists practicing, text with event details, a QR code, and decorative illustrations including a skull face, party hat, and stylized patterns. It announces the event dates, location, classes, pricing, discounts, and fundraising information.

Celebrate Aldrich Sensei’s existence! (Or come for the sake and cake!)

What is this about?

It started with, “Hey, it’s my birthday. Let’s have a seminar!” and now it’s morphed into this uniquely beautiful opportunity of connection, charity, camaraderie, and a heck of a time.

Then followed the “I don’t need gifts, and I feel it oddly selfish to host a seminar solo.”

Where is this going?

When in doubt, I turn to my friends. My good friend, Angel Murphy Sensei, was inspired by my recent adventure to open a dojo. She’s been teaching for years in a YMCA space but is now taking the leap to have a permanent location. How better to express gratitude than helping a fellow lover of Aikido build their space? If you’re truly thankful for what you have, you are compelled to pay it forward.

However, if you know me, I never do things simple. When the New York Aikikai launched their Capital Campaign, I wanted to help. As a new business owner, extra capital is not something I have. Abundance of work ethic? I’ve got a boatload of that! So, this shifted from celebrating my existence to giving back to the world I’m grateful for. (Don’t worry; there will still be cake.) So I reached for one of my many New York Aikikai friends, Jaime Kahn Sensei.

A woman in a martial arts uniform sitting on the floor with a young girl standing in front of her in a similar uniform, both looking serious.

About our guests

Angel Walker Murphy Sensei (Shidoin, 5th Dan) is the Chief Instructor of Alamo Area Aikikai in San Antonio, Texas. She has been studying Aikido for three decades. She has a rich, colorful Aikido history. She started with the Midwest Aikido Federation under the guidance of Akira Tohei Shihan in 1994 and was included in his Kenshusei program. She was fortunate to have Hayato Osawa Shihan awarded her Shodan. In the early 2000s, she connected with the USAF, and her aikido was influenced by Y. Yamada Shihan, S. Sugano Shihan, and M. Kanai Shihan. Over the years, she has developed a connection with Harvey Konigsberg Shihan, who visits Texas regularly. I met Angel Sensei back at Summer Camp 2015. She and I connected with our zest, zing, and sparkle on the mat. I admire her adaptive and inclusive training/teaching style. She holds a regal presence on the mat, welcoming everyone to partake in the journey. I find her inspiring for women on the mat. Her command in her technique is very refreshing.

A man in martial arts uniform holds a young girl on his shoulders. The girl wears graphic pajamas and glittery sneakers. They pose against a plain white background.

Jaime Kahn Sensei (Shidoin, 6th Dan) of the New York Aikikai … where to begin? I’d say I had an Aikido life before Jaime Sensei, but once we met, it never existed. That’s how much Jaime Sensei brings to the mat. First introduced to Aikido in a class at NYU, he says that, for him, Aikido was “Love at first fall,” He presents a fiery heart with every pin and every throw. He was uchi deshi at the New York Aikikai in the 90’s, training with some of the top teachers in the world. On top of being incredibly talented,  he is the most humble and supportive person. He views the world with gratitude and is excited to join us as we support New York Aikikai’s Captial Campaign.

A woman with long dark hair wearing a white martial arts gi with a black belt sitting on a green tatami mat. She is smiling at the camera while holding a large chocolate Labrador retriever dog lying down on the mat in front of her. The background features a white wall with two wooden shelves with decorative items and framed pictures, including a black-and-white photo of a samurai or martial artist.

Crystal Aldrich Sensei (Fukushidoin, 4th Dan) is the Birthday Girl, Chief Instructor, and Owner of the dojo hosting this event. I’d say I’ve known Crystal Sensei all my life, but do we ever really know ourselves? My students say I’m a perfect balance of whimsy and seriousness. Notorious for giggling while break falling… what can I say? You’ll have a great time. Check out my bio here.

Commonly Asked Questions

  • Seminars are for students of all levels. Not only will you receive excellent training, but you will be connected to an amazing community full of wonderful people. Some of our best friends were made at seminars.

  • We are located in Waterford, Connecticut about 30 minutes from the Rhode Island border. We are equidistant from New York and Boston, about a 2-2.5 hour ride.

  • New London County offers a lot of different options for places to stay. Aldrich Sensei recommends the Niantic Inn, a 10-minute drive from the dojo. It has access to a lovely downtown and plenty of places to eat.

    If you’d prefer to check out downtown New London, you can stay at The Holiday Inn.

    Being a beach area, it also offers many AirBnb locations. If you select New London try to be close to Ocean Beach. Anywhere in Waterford and Niantic would work too. Any questions please contact us at info@aikidonlc.com

  • We accept cash, checks, or credit cards. We do ask that you pay ahead using the link above.

  • This event is open to all afflications. If you’ve got a love for Aikido and Community, you should be here.

  • To help with the upstart costs of the dojo, Aldrich Sensei created a founding friend patch club. Anyone who donates at our second-tier level receives a discount for life to all of our seminars. If you’ve donated in the past but would like to upgrade, please reach out. If you’d like to donate also reach out.

  • We understand that not all families train together, but they can travel together! The city of Mystic, a very popular vacation spot, is only 23 minutes away from the dojo. While you train, your family can enjoy shopping, museums, and the Mystic Aquarium! However, skip Mystic Pizza and go to Mystic Pizza II instead.