Preserving Our Heritage:
New Requirements for Instructor Certification

By Robert Zimmermann, Shihan, Member of the USAF Technical Committee and Chief Instructor of Toronto Aikikai and Laura Pavlick, Shidoin, USAF Director of Operations and Chief Instructor of Litchfield Hills Aikikai

Over the past two years, the USAF Technical Committee has been actively discussing and reevaluating many aspects associated with the attainment of ranking and the issuing of teaching certifications in the USAF.

The Technical Committee feels that in order to maintain the integrity of traditional Aikido as established by O Sensei and spread by the USAF, there is a need to ensure that instructors have a clear understanding of proper principles, that high level standards are followed both during practice as well as during instruction and that these are passed on as part of the legacy from teacher to student. Notwithstanding the traditional aspects of these elements, the Technical Committee clearly understands that Aikido is a creative art, it is malleable and an expression of each person's individuality. This expression of course varies based on, for example, a person's physique, their teacher, training, level of maturity, understanding, etc.. Therefore, to make the most of both the formal and creative aspects of the art, it is essential to remain an active participant in the Aikido community by, among other things, attending USAF seminars and practicing with the large cross-section of people who both instruct and train in Aikido on a regular basis.

By attending seminars, especially the larger regional seminars hosted by USAF member dojo as noted below(*), we not only have the opportunity to open another door to enhance our own learning, but we get a chance to both observe and be observed by many of the USAF Shihan and fellow practitioners. Since Aikido is forever evolving, the USAF too must be flexible to properly reflect this creative art, and these seminars offer a key opportunity to explore Aikido from varying perspectives. Just as importantly, USAF seminars are events where the foundations and core of Aikido are emphasized in an environment other than where you regularly practice. This adds significant value to one's own training and instruction, expands one's comfort zone and contributes to the proper understanding, interpretation and expression of the basics as well as the transmission of the teachings. These kinds of USAF seminars provide an environment where the above elements come together.

As USAF instructors, it is our responsibility to give our students technical guidance while keeping the larger picture in mind: O Sensei's intention to spread harmony, and the USAF's dedication to its community of members who look to be a part of something meaningful. Without continuously dedicating ourselves to learning or exposing ourselves to new information, instruction and methodologies, without reviewing what we've learned or without practicing with our peers, we as instructors risk falling short in the undertakings of our very important role, and as an organization the USAF risks failing to achieve its mission to preserve and pass on O Sensei's vision.

For these and other reasons, the Technical Committee has adopted the new requirement that for Shidoin and Fukushidoin certification, an instructor must attend as a minimum one major seminar each year and the class for instructors that may be offered at that seminar, as well as at least one other seminar in the same calendar year instructed by a member of the Technical Committee in order to qualify, maintain and renew their teaching certification. It is the Technical Committee's belief that this will go a long way towards not only preserving our rich heritage, but keeping it alive and vibrant.

(*)The major seminars, which are the larger seminars instructed by Yamada Sensei throughout the country each year, are held at the following location (seminar dates can be found at www.usaikifed.com):