Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan (1938--) – 8^th dan, one of the prominent direct students of O-sensei. Was an uchideshi of O-sensei for over 10 years, during which he was an instructor at the Aikido World Head quarters in Japan, and also taught US Marines stationed in Tokyo.

He was sent to New York in 1964 by O-sensei to be the chief instructor at the NY Aikikai, a position which he still holds today. Nowadays it has a membership of around 300 students.

Yamada Shihan has been teaching for over 45 years in the US and around the world. Nowadays, aside from conducting seminars around the world, Yamada Shihan presides as the chair of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) and the Aikido federation of Latin America (FLA). Over 1000 dojos are affiliated with these organizations. He is the author of two books, Aikido Complete, and Ultimate Aikido, and the video (DVD) series Aikido: The Power and The Basics, as well as several commemorative DVDs of the NY Aikikai anniversary seminars.

Yamada Shihan is known for his clean and powerful techniques.

Accompanying Yamada Shihan to this seminar are the following instructors:

Donovan Waite Shihan – 6^th dan, one of Yamada Shihan’s top direct students, and heads the ‘Aikido of center city’ in Philadelphia. Donovan Waite Shihan conducts seminars around the world and in Israel.

Eran Vardi – 4^th dan - Shidoin, a direct student of Yamada Shihan and Donovan Shihan. Chief instructor at the ‘Aikido of Ramapo Valley’ dojo in New Jersey, and an instructor in the NY Aikikai.

This is Yamada Shihan’s first visit to Israel.

The seminar is intended for both beginners and advanced Aikidoka, from all the Aikido styles.

Additional details will be available in the near future.

Eran Vardi: eran@aikidospirit.com

Re’em Lelyveld: reemll@yahoo.com

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· Seminar schedule & fees

· Links to previous interviews with Yamada Shihan.