Rivertide Aikikai

Specialties

Rivertide Aikikai is a community center dedicated to the Japanese martial arts of Aikido and Iaido. We are located at 3198 Old Kings Road, just off of Route 23A in the Town of Catskill.

Rivertide Aikikai offers an opportunity for focused training in a welcoming atmosphere. Aikido techniques employ circular movements, timing and blending to effectively neutralize violent attacks with throws or joint locks. Training in Aikido develops mental focus, core strength, balance and flexibility. It can be practiced as a high intensity workout, as a meditative movement or simply for the fun of it! We seek to share our path of learning in the «joyful and vibrant spirit» set forth by the founder of Aikido, where people of all ages and abilities come to find a path of learning that can last a lifetime.

Iaido is the traditional art of drawing the Japanese sword from it’s scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then resheathing the sword. Training is based on Muso Shinden Ryu.

Rivertide Aikikai’s Iaido Study Group is affiliated with the Kiyokaze Iaido Federation and is under the immediate supervision of Vu X. Ha Sensei of Boston Aikikai. Permission to participate is given by Sensei on an individual basis. Iaido dues are $ 30 per month for those only participating in Iaido, and $ 10 per month for Aikido members.

History

Established in 2013.

In the spirit of O Sensei, every element of our renovation and construction has been taken within the framework of minimizing our carbon footprint and enhancing our connection with the natural realm that O Sensei found to be a sacred and inseparable part of his practice. In our renovation process so far we have repurposed and reused nearly every scrap of construction material that we obtained from the demolition process, insulated the stripped down structure to the tightest degree possible with the materials accessible to us, and installed a high efficiency heating system. We had our roof replaced and a solar analysis performed by Lotus Energy. As our roof is nearly south-​facing with very little obstruction, we found that we would be able to access over 80% of the available sunlight for solar panels.

This framework of sustainability is integral to our ongoing landscaping design as well, with a focus on plantings and methodology that contribute to a healthy and cohesive ecosystem. The

Meet the Manager

Patrick G.

Manager

Chief Instructor Patrick A. Gaucher is a member of the United States Aikido Federation, in which he holds the rank of Nidan and a Fukushidoin teaching certificate. He began studying Aikido under Harvey Konigsbeg Shihan of Woodstock Aikido in 2003 and found his imagination was immediately captured by his Sensei’s power, grace and meditative countenance. Patrick also studies extensively with Bob Wilcox Shidoin of Kingston Aikido, whose technical proficiency and expansiveness on the mat have further shaped his own interpretations of effective Aikido. Patrick’s method of teaching seeks to communicate to each of his students a way in which Aikido can work for them. He traces his lineage directly back to the founder of Aikido through Konigsberg Shihan, who studies under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan of The New York Aikikai, who was a direct student of O-​Sensei.