About our guests
Sandan, Fukushidoin, Kingston Aikido.
Damon and I have been seminar friends since the beginning. He’s an example of the amazing friends you can make on the seminar circuit. Always a student, he averages about 8-10 seminars a year, on top of visiting other dojos regularly. He runs to welcome beginners on the mat and has a plethora of patience and kindness…. one could say he embodies “Grace” on the mat. I’ve never seen him shy away from a hard throw… he has more energy and spirit than I do.
He’s a regular on the teaching staff of Kingston Aikido under the direction of Brian Mizerak Shihan.
Damon Grace
Sandan, Captain America, Aikido of Northampton
I hope the photo explains the epic energy of my relationship with Jack. Our friendship started with me annoying him to come to noon class so I’d have a friend to throw me around. I was bad I’d annoy him to come to 6 am class. (The fact we’re still friends is a miracle).
We were both apprentices under the late Richard Stickles Shihan of Aikido Schools of New Jersey. We took our first-degree and second-degree black belt tests together. In 2023, he took his third-degree black belt test (with my annoying assistance).
I’ve been dubbed the “wing woman” who helped him get his amazing wife, “She who is awesome.” In 2014, he married her (I got to be a groomswoman!) and moved to Massachusetts, where he regularly teaches at Aikido Northampton under the direction of Karen Peterson Sensei.
JACK BOGATKO
Nidan, Fukushidoin, Albany Aikido.
It’s hard to remember a time before Nan. She has a sense of poise as she moves on and off that mat. Her journey of Aikido started in Northampton, Massachusetts then went to New York City and she now has a home in Albany, NY. At Albany Aikido she began taking over administrative duties for Irvin Faust Shihan (deceased March 2020) and has been acting as dojo-cho under the guidance of Kevin Grace Sensei.
Two things have always connected Nan and me: our love and respect for Faust Shihan and our desire to help women and children in Aikido grow.
In early 2023, Nan invited me to join the International Aikido Federation’s Youth Working Group (North America). Together with other Aikidoka, we’ve been working on many youth projects, including an upcoming children’s seminar in NYC.
NAN RODRIGUEZ
Commonly Asked Anniversary Questions
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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.
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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.
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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
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We accept cash, checks, or credit cards. We do ask that you pay ahead using the link above.
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This event is open to all afflications. If you’ve got a love for Aikido and Community, you should be here.
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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.
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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.