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.
When he’s not doing Aikido, he enjoys rock climbing.
Damon Grace
Yondan, Shidoin, Old City Aikido, Shinkaze
Where to begin with Yabut Sensei? She is probably the most dedicated student I’ve met. Also, she has the most flyer miles for traveling to dojos and always goes out of her way to support women in Aikido.
Yabut Sensei started Aikido in 2006 at Aikikai of Philadelphia with the late Henry Smith Shihan. She also trained at Jersey Shore Aikikai with Skip Chapman Sensei and at Old City Aikido with the late Donovan Waite Shihan. She continues to train at Old City Aikido with Jason Perna Sensei and is a staff instructor.
Her biggest influences are Barbara Britton Shihan and Penny Bernath Shihan. You can see that precision and fire in her technique.
She loves being fit and is a fellow Spartan racer!
Jennifer Yabut
POST SEMINAR FOOD PLAN
Hi Everyone!
This time we’re doing our meals a little differently. One of our dojo dads with his smoking team is cooking. We are having an all-you-can-eat BBQ. We’re asking for donations for Drew Harteveld’s family.
Drew was a devoted Aikidoka and Aldrich Sensei’s first true senpai. (You can read more here.)
We are offering, “Eat what you want, give what you can.” For those attending the seminar. We ask that guests of the dojo please donate. You can donate money here
Any questions please reach out to Aldrich Sensei.
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.