Please join us June 21, 2026 from 9:00 am-1:30 pm Central time for the Aikido Shimbokukai 2026 Midwest Future Leaders Seminar (In Person & Virtual). This event will be held at Great Lakes Aikido, (in the Cohen Brothers Judo & Wrestling Facility) at 158 N Fairway Dr, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. It will also be live streamed.
An important aspect of Aikido Shimbokukai’s mission is the education of future generations of Aikido instructors and leaders. We have therefore established our annual Midwest Future Leaders Seminar, with training led by up-and-coming teachers who do not yet serve as chief instructors of their own dojos. Invitations to teach at this event are extended across organizational boundaries, serving to additionally promote inter-lineage relationships and cooperation that will be crucial for Aikido to thrive in the future.
Seminar costs and registration fees are kept low to encourage as many people as possible to attend. This event is a great way for developing leaders to get experience teaching outside of their own dojo, and to people besides their dojo mates, as well as for event attendees to train with some innovative up and coming or lesser known instructors.
All affiliations, levels of experience, and styles of Aikido and also practitioners of other arts are welcome to attend!
(It’s our intention to have a series of seminars such as this, in various locations, and we hope people will support this endeavor for the future growth of Aikido. If your dojo or a dojo you know would be interested in collaborating an similar events please Contact Aikido Shimbokukai!)
Our Instructors for this training event will be:
Stanley Archacki Sensei, Nidan, Tenshin Shinjitsu Dojo, Aikido Shimbokukai
Kay Barnes Sensei, Shodan, Lakeshore Aikido, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Denis Fitzgerald Sensei, Nidan, Evanston Aikido Center, United States Aikido Federation
Jaime Lam Sensei, Sandan, Aikido of Madison, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
Each instructor will teach one 1-hour class. There will be a Q&A/Discussion session for 30 minutes following the classes.
After the event finishes we will be going to a neighborhood restaurant for food, beverage, and conversation. We hope everyone will join us!
***Please note for those interested, there will also be a one day seminar with Lisa Tomoleoni Shihan, 7 Dan on June 20th, also to be held at Great Lakes Aikido, so please plan to attend both events and make a weekend of training out of it!
There are a variety of options for participation-
Participate live; in-person training at Great Lakes Aikido (in the Cohen Brothers Judo & Wrestling facility) 158 N Fairway Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061.
- Train in-person at Great Lakes Aikido (in the Cohen Brothers Judo & Wrestling facility)
158 N Fairway Drive
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Google Maps | Apple Maps - Participate virtually with your dojo mates from your dojo. For those who can gather and train together, please plan to attend the seminar from your dojo! Set up a computer, stream the event, and train!
- Participate virtually on your own from your home, or any location of your choice.
Please register for each event separately:
- Saturday, June 20: Aikido & Iaido with Tomoleoni Shihan
- Sunday, June 21: Aikido Shimbokukai 2026 Midwest Future Leaders Seminar (In Person & Virtual)
We look forward to this event, and hope to see you on the mat, in person or virtually!