The Arizona Aikido Ki Society celebrated it's 25th Anniversary on Veteran's Day weekend (November 11th--13th) 2005 with a three-day seminar at the Scottsdale dojo. We were proud to host David Shaner Sensei, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation, as our guest instructor for the event. Shaner Sensei served for a time as uchi-deshi (roughly translated as live-in personal assistant) for Koichi Tohei Sensei, the founder of Ki Society in Japan, and it was fascinating to hear about his experiences. His instruction throughout the weekend in Ki-aikido was truly inspiring, and left attendees with plenty to think about concerning their practice!

The mat was full for the entire seminar. In addition to local attendees, students came from North Carolina, New Mexico (in the latter case, bringing students from their dojo for rank testing) and Yuma, Arizona. We also had a Ki Society visitor from Japan, Ms. Junko Tamura Sensei, who attended; it was an honor to welcome her to our dojo.

Friday night at the post-class pizza party we were able to ask Shaner Sensei for further details of his time in Japan, and hear about his recent travels to St. Petersburg, Russia, to teach Ki-aikido there. Saturday evening the 25th Anniversary Dinner was held at Macayo's in Scottsdale; the banquet room overflowed with both active and former students. It was a night of good food, good fun, and a chance to catch up with members we miss who are now separated from us by many miles. Christian McKay, a sculptor from the Las Cruces dojo, presented Shaner Sensei with a beautiful piece of his metal artwork as a gift.

Shaner Sensei congratulated Kirk Fowler Sensei, AAKS Chief Instructor, on a successful "first 25 years" of spreading Ki-aikido in the Southwestern USA, noted the many lives he has influenced during that time, and wished him many more successful years as he continues to share the benefits and philosophy of Ki-aikido with the world.

The members of Arizona Aikido Ki Society were very pleased to be able to spend this time with Shaner Sensei, and we enthusiastically look forward to his next visit. Thank you, Shaner Sensei, for making our 25th Anniversary celebration so memorable!