Please join us on May 17, 2026 from 12:00 am-4:00 pm Central time for the 2026 Spring Instructors Intensive. This event will be held virtually via Zoom.
This 4 hour intensive is designed for current Aikido instructors as well as anyone interested in the teaching of Aikido. Participation is open to all — not only members and supporting members of Aikido Shimbokukai, but also individuals from any affiliation, lineage, or style.
The goal of this annual event is to support the development of our broader Aikido community by focusing not just on what we teach, but how we teach — and how we sustain and grow our dojos for the future, as well as ourselves.
Rather than focusing on execution of technique, the event explores topics such as:
Effective transmission of Aikido technique and philosophy
Class structure and student engagement
Development of and care for oneself as an instructor for sustainability of teaching
Focus Topics for this year’s event will be:
Part 1. Beyond the Technique: Teaching with Purpose
This section features 4 senior instructors from a variety of affiliations and lineages who will share insights on different aspects of teaching — from class structure and student interaction to pedagogical philosophy and personal experience. Presentations will be 20–25 minutes each, followed by 10–15 minutes for Q&A. We encourage presenters to share openly and creatively, whether through lecture, demonstration, or discussion, and we encourage attendees to ask any and all questions that come to mind.
Our Presenting Instructors are:
Don Ellingsworth Sensei, 6 Dan, Tampa Aikido, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba/Aikido Shimbokukai
Kimberly Richardson Sensei, 7 Dan, Two Cranes Aikido
Meik Skoss Sensei, 4 Dan, Shutokukan Dojo
Art Wise Shihan, 7 Dan, Evanston Aikido Center, United States Aikido Federation
Part 2. Losing and Regaining Center: Understanding and Recovering from Aikido Instructor Burnout
This will be a presentation and moderated group discussion focused on how instructors can better sustain themselves over years of teaching, and deal with various issues that can contribute to “burnout”. All attendees will be invited to participate and share their experiences, concerns, and ideas.
We are looking forward to this event, and hope to see you!
Registration for the seminar is US$45 per person. Please register via PayPal, using the link below. For those with financial constraints please let us know (click here) as we have some scholarship options available.
Instructors
Don Ellingsworth Sensei, 6 Dan, Tampa Aikido, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba & Aikido Shimbokukai
Don Ellingsworth Sensei is the Founder and Senior Instructor of Tampa Aikido and holds the rank of 6th Dan, recognized by Aikido World Headquarters (Aikikai). He began training in 1989 and, in 1993, became a personal student of John Messores Shihan, and later of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, one of the few living uchi deshi of O-Sensei.
He has served as Saotome Sensei’s principal travel assistant and uke for over ten years and continues in that role while also traveling extensively to train and conduct seminars around the world.
In addition, Ellingsworth Sensei serves as the Administrator for the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, and also maintains membership in Aikido Shimbokukai.
To learn more, visit tampaaikido.com/instructors/sensei-don-ellingsworth
Kimberly Richardson Sensei, 7 Dan, Two Cranes Aikido
Kimberly Richardson Sensei began her Aikido training at Naropa Institute in 1978 and shortly after moved to Seattle to train with Mary Heiny Sensei. Determined athleticism, psychotherapy practices and energy awareness skills are key elements of her spirited teaching.
She has studied throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, most notably with Anno Shihan, Saotome and Ikeda Shihan, and Dobson and Read Senseis. She acted as chief instructor for The Apple Computer Aikido School in Cupertino, CA in 1989 and at Seattle School of Aikido from 1991 to 1995. In the fall of 1995, she founded Two Cranes Aikido, where she teaches the philosophy and practice of Aikido to people of all ages. As an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University for 10 years, she taught "Aikido as Martial Art and Spiritual Practice."
Richardson Sensei's teaching style supports the individual growth of each student. In addition to teaching Aikido, she practices tai ji and ballroom dancing, and includes elements of these art forms in her curriculum at the dojo. She is a consultant and trainer, offering workshops in conflict resolution, effective management styles and self-defense to corporations and to educational groups. In 2008, Richardson Sensei organized the nonprofit foundation Two Cranes Institute. Her goal is to advance the common good by integrating O Sensei's practices of compassion and applied nonviolence into the larger Seattle community of children, teens and adults.
Meik Skoss Sensei, 4 Dan, Shutokukan Dojo
Meik Skoss Sensei began his martial arts training with aikido in 1966. He moved to Japan in 1973 (where he resumed his study of aikido), later moving to Tokyo in 1976 where he started studying Shinto Muso-ryu jo under Shimizu Takaji Sensei, Toda-ha Buko-ryu naginatajutsu with Muto Mitsu Sensei, and Tendo-ryu naginatajutsu under Sawada Hanae Sensei. He remained in Japan until 1997. It was also during that time he began to work with Donn F. Draeger and accompanied the master hoplologist on several field trips to Southeast Asia.
He began teaching Shinto Muso-ryu jo in 1998, under the direct authority of menkyo kaiden Phil Relnick Sensei, student of Shimizu Takaji Sensei and Nishioka Tsuneo Sensei.
In addition to his substantial martial arts credentials, he is extensively involved in research and publications focused on the classical Japanese martial arts, or koryu bujutsu. He is fluent in Japanese, and is also one of several hoplologists continuing the work of Donn F. Draeger.
He has traveled throughout Japan visiting various dojo collecting information on the Japanese martial arts, and has published a number of articles based on these forays.
In addition to holding 4 Dan from the Aikikai, he also holds advanced rank and certification in many other arts.
Art Wise Shihan, 7 Dan, United States Aikido Federation
Art Wise Shihan is the Chief Instructor of the Evanston Aikido Center. He is a certified instructor of the USAF.
Wise Shihan is one of the founding members of the Midwest Aikido Center in Chicago where he studied Aikido with Akira Tohei Shihan, 8th dan, for twenty- five years. He has served as an instructor at the Midwest Aikido Center for many years.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he looks to improve his own Aikido by continuous study. He is a greatly respected senior instructor involved in promoting technical training and community connection within the Midwest Aikido community.