Aikido Kenkyukai Santa Barbara

Specialties

Mission Statement

It is the goal and purpose of Aikido Kenkyukai Santa Barbara to pass down the true message of Aikido and to nurture a better society by creating individuals of responsibility, compassion, judgement, and character.

History

Established in 1999.

Aikido Kenkyukai Santa Barbara is a 501©(3) California nonprofit public benefit corporation. AKSB is dedicated to encouraging the practice of the Japanese non-​violent martial art of aikido and promoting aikido as a positive and effective vehicle for self improvement and spiritual growth, and as a harmonious way to resolve everyday stress and conflict.

In addition to offering traditional Aikido classes to the general public at our dojo, we also develop and run various community projects. The community project we’re currently working on is our sponsorship program for low-​income and at-​risk children.

Meet the Business Owner

Lia S.

Business Owner

Lia Suzuki began training aikido in 1982. Through her first teacher, the renowned William Gleason Sensei, 6^th dan, she was introduced to the distinctive aikido of the late Yamaguchi Seigo Shihan, 9^th dan and one of his most accomplished students, Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, 8^th dan.

Lia Sensei lived in Japan from 1987 to 1996, receiving her 1^st through 4^th dan gradings at Takeda Shihan’s dojo during that time. Her aikido clearly reflects years of dedicated training with Takeda Shihan and his senior students.

She has conducted seminars in Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Canada and of course, the USA. Lia Sensei returns to Shobu Aikido of Boston each summer and continues to travel regularly to Japan to train with her teacher, Takeda Shihan and to participate in demonstrations there.