top of page

20th Annual
INTERNATIONAL AIKIDO BRIDGE SEMINAR
January 17-20, 2025

San Diego's "International Aikido Bridge Seminar" is an internationally known seminar hosted by Jiai Aikido. The very first Bridge Seminar was held at Jiai, and 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of this special seminar. 

Jiai Aikido has been a place of connection for aikido practitioners worldwide, for many years now. The instructors and the students have worked diligently at training, and at continuing to offer high quality training at events such as the annual Bridge seminar, despite the challenges we've all experienced in recent years. Please join us January 17-20, 2025 for another event featuring superior instruction in a world-class facility.

The Instructors for the 2025 event will be:

  • Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 7th Dan

  • Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan, 6th Dan

  • Tom Haines Sensei, 6th Dan

  • Kevin Pickard Sensei, 6th Dan

  • Tom Liu Sensei, 4th Dan

  • Cat Strada Sensei, 4th Dan

The seminar schedule is posted below, and there will still be plenty of time for enjoying the sights of San Diego, wonderful food, and social time off the mat.

**There will be a Saturday night dinner at a local restaurant, location TBD. It will be self-pay.​

**Housing is available at the dojo for $45/night. Please contact us if interested.

Schedule (subject to change):

  • Friday, January 17: 2:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Saturday, January 18: 10:00am - 5:30pm (with break for lunch)

  • Sunday, January 19: 10:00am - 5:30pm (with break for lunch)

  • Monday, January 20: 10:00am - 1:00pm​​

Registration:

  • Full Seminar: $265

  • Saturday OR Sunday Only: $125

  • Friday OR Monday Only: $75

Online Attendance Registration via Zoom is available for those interested and out of Southern California for a flat rate of $100 for the Seminar.

Please use the PayPal link below to register.

For those who would like to contribute any donation outside of seminar activities, please use the PayPal button below to do so. We can use your support!  Thank you! 

 

Jiai Aikido is not a 501c3 non-profit organization Thank you for your participation and support!

 

Instructors

Ikeda Sensei.png

Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 7th Dan

Boulder Aikikai  |  Aikido Shimbokukai, Vice President

Hiroshi Ikeda is founder and chief instructor of Boulder Aikikai. He began his study of Aikido in 1968 at the aikido club of Kokugakuin University in Tokyo. Upon graduation, he trained regularly at Hombu Dojo and at Saotome Sensei's Remeijuki Dojo. In 1978 he moved to the U.S., and in 1980 established Boulder Aikikai. Ikeda Shihan is affiliated to Hombu Dojo through Aikido Shimbokukai, of which he is a Board Member and Vice President.​ He is one of the most sought after aikido instructors worldwide, and a frequent instructor at aikido seminars in the U.S. and abroad.

lrt.jpg

Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan, 6th Dan

Abiding Spirit Aikikai  |  Aikido Shimbokukai, Director

Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan spent over 14 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She founded Abiding Spirit Aikikai in IL, and Aikido Shimbokukai, an organization Officially Recognized by the Aikikai Foundation and Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

20241016_174824_edited.jpg

Tom Haines Sensei, 6th Dan

Arizona Aikikai  |  Aikido Schools of Ueshiba

Tom Haines Sensei began his aikido training at Arizona Aikikai in August of 1973. He received Rokudan in January 2010 from Saotome Sensei. Haines Sensei has served in various offices with Arizona Aikido and is presently the president of the organization and chief instructor. Throughout his career in aikido, he has attended many camps and seminars and has trained with many different senior aikido instructors. In addition, he has had the opportunity to travel to Japan, where he trained in a number of different dojos. Last year he celebrated 50 years of continuous study of aikido.

Kevin_edited.jpg

Kevin Pickard Sensei, 6th Dan

Aikido Del Mar  |  Yoshikan Aikido

​Kevin Pickard Sensei is the co-founder and head instructor of Aikido Del Mar. He retired from the business world in 1999 to pursue his on-going dedication to aikido. He has studied and taught aikido for more than 30 years and is ranked Rokudan (6th degree black belt). He has trained in Japan and throughout North America with top practitioners and is an internationally certified instructor. In 2000 he worked with Jacques Payet Sensei to create the original Mugen Juku Dojo in Los Angeles. In 2001 he started a children’s class at Huntington Beach Dojo; and, in 2008, he moved to San Diego to start Aikido Del Mar.

tom 1.jpg

Tom Liu Sensei, 4th Dan, Shidoin

Aikido West  |  Aikido Shimbokukai

Tom Liu Sensei began his Aikido training in the early 1990s under Frank Doran Shihan at the Aikido West dojo and the Stanford Aikido Club. He received the rank of Yondan (4th Dan) from Doran Shihan under California Aikido Association in 2016. Liu Sensei also practices Tai Chi, the Alexander Technique, and meditation, and has been a regular Instructor at Jiai Aikido for several years. His primary interests are the exploration of the principles of mind-body integration and the development of integrated and relaxed power.

cat ikkyo_edited_edited.jpg

Cat Strada Sensei, 4th Dan, Shidoin

Jiai Aikido  |  Aikido Shimbokukai

Systema Instructor-in-Training Applicant

Cat Strada Sensei started Aikido at Jiai Aikido in 2007 under Jeff Sodeman Sensei, and Systema in 2008. Dojo Cho since 2011, she offers innovative classes influenced by  her training such as No-Gi Aikido, Applied Aikido, and Adaptive Aikido & Ukemi. She's inspired by Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Jeff Sodeman Sensei, Frank Doran Shihan, Mary Heiny Sensei, Morihiko Murashige Shihan, Kevin Choate Sensei, Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan, Vladimir Vasiliev, her students, and animals. Strada Sensei is on the Board of Aikido Shimbokukai, and focuses on promoting authenticity, and individuality in movements.

bottom of page