In his professional life, Dennis navigates the typical stresses common for a leader. … The dynamic movement of aikido practice allows him to access that elusive experience known as “mushin” - the empty mind, undistracted, and fully present. He finds regular practice to be centering. It keeps him coming back! Click to view video
Read More"Fall for Aikido" - start your practice this Fall season
Will you “Fall for Aikido” this Fall? Aikido class series for adult and teens runs October 11-28. “New Student 3-month Intro to Aikido starts Nov. 1.” Challenge yourself in a safe environment while having fun learning a new skill at Multnomah Aikikai.
Read MoreOpen House: Japanese martial arts demonstrations of Aikido, Karate, and Iaido
Start your journey with traditional Japanese martial arts at our open house event presented by Multnomah Aikikai and Pacific Renbukai. Saturday Oct. 7, 2023. Admission is FREE! Join us…
Read MoreNon-competitive and meditative: iaido practice
I decided to start in Iaido after developing experience with meditation practice over the past 4-5 years.
Read MoreD. Bluhm Shihan teaches at Multnomah Aikikai April 2023
Darrell Bluhm Shihan will be teaching a seminar at Multnomah Aikikai April 28-30, 2023. Seminar classes will include aikido (body arts and weapons), a bokken class designed for both iaido and aikido practitioners, and iaido classes.
Read More“No” No Mind - A Student's First Iaido Seminar with Boyet Sensei
I found it took me a fair amount of time to digest the recent—and my first— iaido seminar with Didier Boyet Sensei. Being fortunate enough to have this learning experience early in my Iaidō training was a blessing but there was a vast amount of information to take away.
Read More"To be beautiful, it must be simple" - Reflections on Boyet Sensei's teaching
The following article was written by Rob Darmour in 2018 after we last hosted Didier Boyet Shihan at Multnomah Aikikai. Rob is a member of Multnomah Aikikai and a designer by profession. The principles of design are an apt lens to view our maturation in martial arts practice. Continue reading…
Read MoreIaido and Aikido Seminar with D. Boyet Shihan Oct. 2022
We are excited to announce Didier Boyet Shihan will be teaching a seminar at Multnomah Aikikai Oct. 14-16, 2022. Classes will include aikido body arts, bokken classes designed for both iaido and aikido practitioners, and iaido classes. One special iaido class session will be reserved for a small number of iaido practitioners carrying over 5 years experience.
Read MoreHow do we make time for attending seminars?
"Within a regular training schedule, work and family priorities tend to creep in and steal the remaining time that has already been marginalized. Setting one’s calendar towards a seminar... forces one to dismiss these time pirates and refocus, even if briefly, one’s attention to training…. Seminars for me stimulate excitement towards the art and motivate me to want to train more. “ - Jody Eastman
Read MoreMultnomah Aikikai's 30/40/50 Triple Anniversary Year is 2022
Multnomah Aikikai's 30/40/50 anniversary year, 2022, marks the dojo's 30th birthday, Suzane Van Amburgh Sensei's 40 years in aikido, and Aki Fleshler Sensei's 50 years in aikido! We are celebrating all year long.
Read MoreJuneteenth 2022
This year the Juneteenth holiday, June 19, falls on a Sunday. The federal holiday is observed on Monday June 20. Our dojo will close in honor of Juneteenth on Monday June 20.
Take time to learn about the history of Juneteenth…
Read MoreRemembering T.K. Chiba Sensei
By Suzane Van Amburgh, June 5, 2022
June 5 is the anniversary of Chiba Sensei’s passing.
At this time I encourage my students to read Sensei’s writings, watch videos of his teaching, reflect on what he has given us, and renew your commitment to come practice regularly in the dojo.
Reflections on "Shoshin," Beginners Mind - by Martin Yonn
As a child in my Aikido classes, my instructors would remind us on occasion to treat every example of a technique shown, as if it was the first time we were seeing it. While I have no doubt this was a way to combat the short attention spans of elementary school children, the meaning of shoshin, or “beginner's mind” is a concept at the heart of martial arts, and one which we revisit on a greater level over and over again.
Read MoreAikido practitioners across the world help Ukrainian refugees
Birankai Poland has organized fundraising efforts to effectively collect donations and transfer the money to Polish Humanitarian Action (PHA) who can get the right help and supplies efficiently to the Ukrainian refugees pouring into Poland at this time. We may be far away but we can help.
Read MoreAikido Practice - Centered Gentle Strength
I have spent eight years studying Aikido with Multnomah Aikikai, primarily in the Forest Grove dojo. The practice and community there have been life changing. Their practice integrates principles of mind and body that gave me a sense of centered, gentle strength that I deeply needed when I started practicing and will cherish forever.
Read MoreTrust The Process
As we begin a new year of training, it seems appropriate to bring a fresh perspective and resolve to my aikido practice. In fact, these principles can be applied to any aspect of our lives… read more
Read MoreInterview with Aki Fleshler Sensei - January 2022
2022 is Multnomah Aikikai’s 30/40/50 triple anniversary year. What does the 50 stand for? We’re celebrating Fleshler Sensei’s 50 years in aikido! I invited Lynn Ballew to interview Fleshler Shihan. The session was recorded on January 2, 2022 and I am happy to share this video with you.
Read MoreIaido: Training through the "whispering voices of doubt"
Many people would with good reason think it an act of lunacy to take up training in the martial arts at the age of 60, let alone in the art of Iaido, the “way of sword drawing.” Perhaps. But I chose to do so because I felt a compulsion I could no longer ignore after more than thirty years of having done so. I listened to this compulsion and am happy I did!
Read MoreWhy is our dojo named "Multnomah Aikikai?"
If you don’t live in Portland Oregon the term “Multnomah” may be unfamiliar. It’s the name of the county where Portland is located. Where does the word come from? The Multnomahs are an indigenous people who lived for thousands of years in this area that we now call Portland. Sauvie Island was particularly known as home to the Multnomah people. Read more…
Read MoreOpen House at the dojo Saturday October 9, 2021
Saturday October 9, 2021, join us for our Fall Open House - adapted to the pandemic. Small groups scheduled at 11am, 11:30am, and 12:05pm. Outdoor segment at 1pm. Get a taste of what aikido or iaido practice is like. Explore the stations of the Balance Challenge circuit training course. Read on and learn more…
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