We are excited to announce a special live-streamed Zoom seminar class taught by Melissa Bell Sensei later today at 12 pm CDT | 18:00 CET* | 5 pm UTC!

*Please note that we have not yet entered ‘winter time’  in the U.S. yet, though many parts of the world already switched this past weekend.

Melissa Bell Sensei began her training in 1992 at the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington D.C. under Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and other instructors including Patty Saotome Sensei and Frank Bell Sensei.

Bell Sensei presently holds the rank of 5th Dan (ASU) and has received all her ranks directly from Saotome Sensei. She has also trained six years (through Shodan) in Shotokan Karate under Rick Hotton Sensei at the West Wind Dojo in Sarasota, Florida and continues her association through the Sunday Morning Keiko martial arts community.

In addition, she has received the honor of the Ueshiba Juku designation from Saotome Sensei. This signifies she is a carrier of the teachings of O Sensei as transmitted through Saotome Sensei.

Bell Sensei is the chief instructor at the Sarasota Budokan Dojo in Sarasota, Florida. She continues her own training at the ASU Intensive Training Camps, and at other national seminars under Saotome Sensei, Ikeda Sensei, and Mary Heiny Sensei, along with other senior ASU instructors.

Seminar Theme:

Taking Ukemi for your Environment – Elements of Musubi

Register to receive the Zoom link for the seminar class.

The seminar is by donation, and all proceeds will go to support Bell Sensei and NOLA Aikido as we continue to bring this practice into the world.

Suggested donation: $20

Donate via Paypal: paypal.me/nolaaikido

(If that’s too much, pay whatever feels comfortable. If you’re feeling a financial squeeze just come to class.)

What to Bring/Wear to Class

Wear a gi or comfortable clothes you can move in.

Bring a jo (or something which could serve as a jo, such as a broom stick.)

Find a place to practice that is almost but not quite big enough to swing a jo. Also have a couple of chairs (or other furniture) handy that you can use to make the space more crowded when we get to that part of the class. If you are in a place with human partners, they will work fine too :)

Beginners are warmly welcome.

We look forward to practicing with you!

Please share this email with any and all you think might like to attend.

Thank you!

Brian Levy

Chief Instructor/Dojo Cho
NOLA AIkido
New Orleans, LA, USA