An Open Invitation to all Aikido Students


I am writing this as an open invitation to all aikido students who wish to participate in our training center.

In order to insure the highest level of training, the retreats will be limited to twenty participants and divided into the levels of fundamentals, intermediate and advanced. The word Okugyo indicates the advanced level, yet the training will go into depth at each level. Each student will be required to pass all aspects of one level before participating in the next.

The Okugyo training will emphasize the spiritual as well as the physical aspects of aikido. Students will participate in daily meditation, reading and discussion, and other activities designed to help the student move towards an integrated understanding of Aikido.

It has long been my goal to create an environment for this kind of personal training. Okugyo seminars will not make any distinction between affiliation or rank, but will be open to all who approach it with a sincere and humble attitude.


Sincerely,

William Gleason

Sunday, January 25, 1970

Teachers

William Gleason, 6th dan, founded Shobu Aikido, inc. in 1980 in Boston Massachusetts. There are presently five Shobu affiliate dojos from the Midwest to the east coast. He is also the author of the Spiritual Foundations of Aikido which explains the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba in depth. Gleason Sensei began his study of Aikido in 1969 at the Hombu dojo in Japan with Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei, one of the most gifted students of the founder. Since 1985 Gleason Sensei has continued to study with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan under the auspices of Aikido of Schools of Ueshiba.

"Jay Chikyo Weik is a certified Yondan (4th degree blackbelt) in the lineage passed down from Ueshiba Morihei, the founder, to Yamaguchi Seigo sensei, and through myself, William Gleason. He is an exceptional student and teacher and I have complete confidence in his ability to pass down legitimate aikido as it was passed down to me."
-William Gleason Sensei, 6th Dan, Author of "The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido"

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