Join us for an inspiring seminar featuring two of today’s renowned Aikido instructors, Patricia Hendricks Sensei and Penny Bernath Sensei. Presented by San Francisco Aikikai and Southland Aikido. Seminar will be held at Southland Aikido on April 12-14, 2024.

Nationally and internationally renowned for his strong yet subtle style, Harvey teaches Aikido seminars around the world. In addition to being the chief instructor in Woodstock, he maintains weekly classes at the New York Aikikai in Manhattan.

Transforming lives through the martial arts, Budo Accelerator empowers low-opportunity youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Their programs for high-school and college students build resilience, leadership capacity, and a powerful network of peers and mentors. 

Net proceeds will be donated to the Ramirez family and a related non-profit. All aikidoka welcome regardless of affiliation or rank.

Proceeds of this fundraiser class to benefit Aria, daughter of Lee Lavi Ramirez Sensei of North Valley Aikikai who is fighting a rare form of cancer.

Penny Bernath Shihan has been practicing Aikido since 1973. She teaches at Florida Aikikai where she shares the title of chief instructor with her husband, Peter Bernath, 7th Dan, Shihan.

Southland Aikido invites you to an Aikido seminar with with Harvey Konigsberg, 7th Dan Shihan from Woodstock Aikido

Lia Suzuki Sensei is the chief instructor of Aikido Kenkyukai Hollywood and director of Aikido Kenkyukai International USA. She is a student of Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan, 8th Dan. Jim Graves Sensei is the chief instructor of Southland Aikido. Graves Sensei is a Shidoin through the United States Aikido Federation, under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, 8th Dan.

Penny Bernath Sensei has served on the USAF Board of Directors for many years and has annually hosted Florida Winter Camp, USAF’s end of the year seminar since 1978. She teaches Aikido seminars around the world and considers Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei as her main influence and teacher. This will be Penny Sensei’s first seminar in the Los Angeles area – please join us!

In 1965, Harvey Konigsberg, a promising young boxer at the time, attended an Aikido demonstration by Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and Koichi Tohei Sensei. This soon compelled him to begin his training in Aikido, and by 1970 he was already teaching at the New York Aikikai, the Aikikai headquarters of the USA. One of the original students of Yamada Sensei, Konigsberg Sensei has been practicing Aikido for over 50 years.

Basic instruction in Zazen will be provided to those who ask for it, but participants may meditate in other traditions as they would like. There will be a limited number of zafus available. Chairs will be available to those who opt to meditate in this manner. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.

The course will be taught by Lee Lavi Ramirez. Lee has over 30 years of experience in the martial arts field, and has been teaching for over 20 years. She currently holds the rank of 5th Degree black belt in Aikido, and 2nd Degree black belt in Judo. Lee co-authored this class with Officer Brian Morrison of the Los Angeles Police Department, and Rory Miller, an internationally renowned violence expert.

New students with little or no Aikido experience are encouraged to start their training in the Basic Aikido class on Saturday mornings at 10:00-11:00.