Okanagan Aikido

Forging Mind Body Spirit

Announcement – BCAF Shochugeiko

Updated: April 30, 2026
The Okanagan Aikikai and the Summerland Aikikai will host the 2026 BCAF Shochugeiko celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Okanagan Aikikai. The event will cover three days of summer training: Friday June 11th (evening practice), Saturday June 12th (full day), and Sunday June 13th (half day). In recognition of one of Kawahara sensei’s teaching priorities, the seminar will focus on the “Awase” theme and will be led by CAF Shidoin Valentine Kabanets, Martin Moreau and Pat Olsen. The event will take place at the Faith Lutheran Church, 250 Gibbs Road, Kelowna, V1X 2W3. The mat fees will be: $120 for the full seminar; $20 Friday only; $60 Saturday only; and $40 for Sunday. Fees for low income participants and youth will be half the adult rates. For those on a budget, please note that billeting will be available on a first-come-first-served basis (only available for Friday and Saturday nights). Please indicate this option when registering. A social event will be held Saturday evening after classes. Forregistration please visit our Google form https://forms.gle/FDZsNh2AhTo42wv48

Aikido is a system of martial movement derived from classical Japanese combative forms, in particular, Daito-Ryu Aikijujitsu. We use weapons like the sword and staff to train timing, critical distance and stress management which augments our hand to hand training.

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We train in a mostly Kata based non combative framework that brings awareness about oneself, one’s place in the world and the interconnectivity that leads to mutual understanding and respect.

Disclaimer If you are interested in modern sport combat systems Aikido is not for you. While the principles and movements of Aikido have applications into those systems they need to be trained with that as a goal/focus. We at the Okanagan Aikikai focus on what the Kata (forms) show us about how we interact with our partner and how to use that to become better at dealing with the stress of our modern day world.

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It’s not about Fighting

It’s about not Fighting