Dear WAAI Family,

Thank you for joining us
for the 2025 Kagami Biraki and Shinnenkai Celebration.
Welcoming in the year of the Wooden (benevolent) Snake,
together we re-dedicated ourselves to Aikido,
listening to Okimura Shihan's ceremonial ringing of the bell,
and wishing our congratulations to our new 5th dans in WAAI!
We missed those that could not make it this time and look forward
to seeing all for our next auspicious WAAI Family gathering!

Dear WAAI Family,

Thank you for joining us for the 2025 Winter Seminar!
Thankful that our Dearest Okimura Shihan,
Our WAAI Founder, blessed us with this opportunity to be together,
that our Z Shihan graced us with lessons
that emanate with profundity and joy.
In the midst of cold winter, we found an inner warmth through our practice
of this wonderful gift of Aikido that blossomed into an abundance of light.
We were delighted to welcome new Aikido Family
who greatly enjoyed their confusion during their first class of Aikido!
To top it off our gathering, our shared delicacies of kabobs,
chili, and chicken soup created by our very own ADA Family
brought us even closer in fellowship.
We missed those that could not make it this time and look forward
to seeing all for our next auspicious WAAI Family gathering!

Dear WAAI Family,

Thank you for joining us for the 2025 Spring Rejoice!
Our Dearest Okimura Shihan blessed us with an opportunity
to gather on this unique occasion, a time-honored tradition
of the Persian culture, welcoming the Spring and new growths.
Together we practiced the wonderful gift of Aikido,
celebrating the "New Day", a Blessed Nowruz once again
with our Dear Z Shihan!
We missed those that could not make it this time and look
forward to seeing all for our next auspicious WAAI Family gathering!

Dear WAAI Family,

Thank you for joining us for the 2025 Annual Memorial Observance Seminar!
WAAI Family from near and far gathered to once again be together
for this momentous occasion, to receive an opportunity to profoundly learn,
by virtue of O'Sensei, the gift of Aikido which was graciously bestowed
upon our teachers through their choice towards founding a betterment of mankind.
Through utmost passion, dedication, and practice, our Dearest Okimura Shihan
is still and always will be continuously spreading the art of peace even
during his Journey Beyond. Eternally connected and forever grateful,
Okimura Shihan's impact on our life is brimming at the core with love and appreciation.
For all that was once an opportunity is now a seed planted within us to carry forward.
Lead by our Dear Z Shihan to spread water and light upon its existence, so that we may reap
the benefits of its sprout. Z Shihan presents the light ahead of our path so that we may reach
clarity as we MARCH for WAAI.

It was wonderful to see Waver Sensei, Pederson Sensei, Olympia Sensei, Buchanan Sensei,
Brandon Sensei, Ben-san, and Jimmy-san! Congratulations to Pederson Sensei and Waver Sensei
on receiving their 5th Dan promotional certificates, honorable journey in going forward in your Aikido!
Congratulations to Ben-san and Jimmy-san on their Dan testing, all were cheering for your success!

We missed those that could not make it this time and look forward
to seeing all for our next auspicious WAAI Family gathering!