Weekend intensive with Thomason Sensei
About our guest instructor
Lucy Thomason Sensei started Aikido in October of 1995 at Capital Aikikai in Silver Spring, Maryland, under Clyde Takeguchi Shihan. She has trained with him ever since.
Thomason Sensei also travels extensively and rarely misses a chance to train with Aikidoka in other regions.
For our dojo, her long relationship with Takeguchi Sensei—combined with the breadth of her training—makes this visit especially meaningful. We’re looking forward to experiencing Takeguchi Sensei’s Aikido through Thomason Sensei’s lens: the details she’s absorbed over decades, the way she’s tested those ideas across different partners and dojos, and the clarity that comes from carrying a teacher’s principles while also making them her own.
Registering ahead of time helps us plan the mat space, staffing, and refreshments—so everyone has a smooth, welcoming weekend. If you know you’re coming, please sign up in advance. Register here.
We’ve reserved a discounted room block (with late checkout) at the AmericInn by Wyndham Janesville. Please book through the group block using this link, or call 608-371-9981 and reference group code CAOW. The discounted rate is available until one month before the event. You can reserve now and pay at the hotel.
We want Aikido to be accessible to everyone. If registration fees are a barrier, please reach out to info@aikidoofwisconsin.com—scholarship options are available.
Weekend Intensive w/ Millar Sensei
About our Guest Instructor
Dave started aikido in college in 1981, where he practiced under Ralph Pettman Sensei and senior students of Shuji Maruyama Sensei. He moved to Washington, DC, for work in 1987 and began studying with Clyde Takeguchi Sensei.
For attendees, this is a chance to experience Takeguchi Sensei’s Aikido through Dave’s lens: the principles he’s absorbed over decades, the way he’s tested them with countless partners, and the practical details that make technique work cleanly across different body types and skill levels. Expect an emphasis on fundamentals that hold up—connection, distance, timing, and simple, repeatable mechanics you can take back to your own practice immediately.
He has trained at Capital Aikikai ever since, with the exception of a three-year stint in Japan. He teaches regularly (including the kids’ class for many years) and holds the rank of rokkudan.
Registering ahead of time helps us plan the mat space, staffing, and refreshments—so everyone has a smooth, welcoming weekend. If you know you’re coming, please sign up in advance. Register here.
We’ve reserved a discounted room block (with late checkout) at the AmericInn by Wyndham Janesville. Please book through the group block using this link, or call 608-371-9981 and reference group code CAOW. The discounted rate is available until one month before the event. You can reserve now and pay at the hotel.
We want Aikido to be accessible to everyone. If registration fees are a barrier, please reach out to info@aikidoofwisconsin.com—scholarship options are available.
Weekend Intensive & CPR Certification w/Bob Poresky Sensei
Weekend Intensive + CPR/BLS (No-Cost Class) + Optional Certification with Bob Poresky Sensei
You’re invited to a special weekend intensive at Capital Aikikai of Wisconsin with our returning champion, Bob Poresky Sensei (6th dan).
This weekend is an opportunity to train in depth in the concepts that shape our particular dialect of Aikido: set, connect, control your space, and your shape—and to add a practical skill that strengthens our dojo community: CPR/BLS training.
Bob brings decades of martial arts experience and teaches across the country, sharing his Aikido not only with aikidoka but also with students outside traditional martial arts. His instruction is practical, thoughtful, and accessible, with a gift for meeting practitioners where they are.
CPR/BLS Class (Friday — No Charge)
In addition to Aikido training, we’re offering a CPR/BLS class at no cost on Friday, June 12 (tentative start 3:30 PM), before the evening Aikido session. This class is independent of the seminar (you can attend the seminar, the CPR class, or both), but it is strongly encouraged.
Why this matters in a dojo setting: A dojo is an athletic environment—people fall, collide, overheat, and occasionally experience serious medical emergencies that have nothing to do with training (cardiac events can happen anywhere). In those moments, the most important factor is time. Having even one person on site trained to recognize an emergency, start high-quality CPR, and use an AED (if available) can bridge the gap until EMS arrives and meaningfully improve outcomes.
Our main concern is that people learn these life-saving skills so practice at the dojo is safer for everybody. That’s why there is no charge to attend the CPR/BLS class.
Optional Certification Path (Additional time with Bob)
For those who want to become CPR/BLS certified, there will be an option to spend additional time with Bob throughout the weekend to complete the requirements for certification. (Details and logistics will be shared with participants who select this option.)
Schedule
Friday, June 12
- PR/BLS Class (no charge): tentative 5:30 PM
- Aikido: 7:00–9:00 PM
Saturday, June 13
- 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
- 3:00–5:00 PM
- Party at the dojo afterward - food and drinks will be provided.
Sunday, June 14
- 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Fees
(Seminar and CPR are separate—attend either or both.)
Aikido Seminar • $100 full weekend • $75 Saturday only • $50 Friday or Sunday only
CPR/BLS Class (Friday): $0 (no charge) Optional CPR/BLS Certification: requires additional time with Bob over the weekend (details forthcoming)
If the fee is a hardship, please reach out at info@aikidoofwisconsin.com.
Lodging
We’ve reserved a discounted room block (with late checkout) at the AmericInn by Wyndham Janesville. Please book through the group block using this link, or call 608-371-9981 and reference group code CAOW. The discounted rate is available until one month before the event. You can reserve now and pay at the hotel.
Registration
We appreciate that you register ahead of time. It will help us plan better. Complete your registration using this form and pay at the dojo the date of the event.
Registering ahead of time helps us plan the mat space, staffing, and refreshments—so everyone has a smooth, welcoming weekend.
If you know you’re coming, please sign up in advance. Register here
We want Aikido to be accessible to everyone. If registration fees are a barrier, please reach out to info@aikidoofwisconsin.com—scholarship options are available.
Friendship Seminar
We’re thrilled to announce that Christine Leung Sensei will be leading our Friendship Seminar on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Technical Seminar
Technical Seminar with Poresky Sensei
You are invited to our first-ever technical seminar! We’re honored to host Bob Poresky Sensei, 6th dan. This seminar is an opportunity to take a closer look at the concepts that shape our particular dialect of Aikido and to explore how they inform our movement, timing, and connection.
If you’ve trained with Takeguchi Sensei, you’ve likely heard him say:
• connect and set
• control your space
• expand and contract
• simple, not easyThese aphorisms guide our approach to Aikido and highlight the qualities we emphasize on the mat. During this seminar, Poresky Sensei will help us dig into these ideas—how they operate in practice, and how they contribute to the personality of Capital Aikikai.
Bob brings decades of martial arts experience and teaches across the country, sharing his Aikido not only with Aikidoists but also with students outside traditional martial arts. His instruction is practical, thoughtful, and accessible, and he has a gift for meeting practitioners where they are.
We hope you’ll join us to train, explore, and see how these concepts can enrich your own practice. We believe that cross-pollination between Aikido styles helps us grow and deepens our understanding of the art we love.
Date: January 23–25, 2026
Friday: 7 pm–9 pm
Saturday: 10 am–12 pm, 3 pm–5 pm; Party at the dojo afterward
Sunday: 10 am–12 pmFee:
• $100 full weekend
• $75 Saturday
• $50 Friday or SundayIf the fee is a hardship, please reach out at info@aikidoofwisconsin.com.
We have discounted rooms with late checkout at AmericInn by Wyndham of Janesville. Book your stay only here. Or call (608)371-9981 and use the group code CAOW.
A promotional poster for Capital Aikikai of Wisconsin’s Technical Seminar. At the top is the dojo’s circular logo featuring an Aikido silhouette with a jo staff and a wood violet. Large blue text reads “Technical Seminar” with the subtitle “Exploring Connection and Maai.” Below is a black-and-white photo of a male instructor labeled “Featuring Poresky Sensei – Capital Aikikai Syracuse.” The seminar dates “January 23–25, 2026” appear in bold blue text. Smaller white text notes that all affiliations are welcome and that schedule and fees are to be determined. The bottom includes the website “aikidoofwisconsin.com” and the address “4712 S John Paul Rd, Milton WI.” The background features a subtle grayscale image of two people training in Aikido.
Grand Opening
Capital Aikikai of Wisconsin will celebrate its grand opening the weekend of October 10–12, 2025, with a series of Aikido classes led by senior instructors from across the United States. Classes will be held Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning, with a community dinner for participants on Saturday at 7:30 PM. The event is open to all Aikido practitioners, and the public is welcome to observe. Suggested contribution for the weekend is $125.