Lia Sensei, a long-time student of Takeda Shihan will offer her perspective on her teacher’s distinctive, fluid and dynamic Aikido.

Please join us! 

Location:
 - Santa Barbara Buddhist Temple
 - 1015 East Montecito Street
 - Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Schedule:
 - Friday: 6pm – 8pm
 - Saturday: 10am – 12pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm
 - Sunday: 10am – 12pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm

To secure your registration discount, please register by October 29th.  After October 29th, prices will rise to:

 - All 3 Days: $135
 - Sat. & Sun.: $125
 - Friday Only: $25
 - Sat. Only: $70
 - Sun. Only: $70

BIO

Lia Suzuki Sensei began Aikido in 1982 and currently holds the rank of 6th dan from Aikikai Hombu Dojo. From 1987, for nine years, she trained in Kamakura, Japan with her present teacher and top student of the late grand master Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan, Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, 8th dan. Suzuki was introduced to Takeda Shihan through her first teacher, William Gleason Sensei, 6th dan. In 1996, Takeda Shihan directed her to begin dojos back in the USA. She formed AKI Pennsylvania in 1996 and AKI Santa Barbara, CA, in 1999.



Lia Sensei's Santa Barbara dojo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity and is currently partnering with various local agencies to provide sliding scale memberships and sponsorships to low-income and at-risk children who would not normally have the opportunity to train.  In addition to teaching standard aikido classes in Pennsylvania and California, Lia Sensei also began pioneering work. She has worked with youth and adults with mental health and substance abuse issues, using aikido as a therapeutic vehicle. In this on-going work, the dojo has worked closely with:

•  Santa Barbara County La Morada Women's Honor Farm (minimum security facility)
•  Santa Barbara County Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services
•  Bucks County Office of Juvenile Probation
•  Penn Foundation for Behavioral Health Inc.
•  Penn Foundation Recovery Center