Aikido demonstration

The American Aikido Institute, a Brazil-based dojo specializing in the unique Japanese martial art, hosted a seminar over the weekend at North Clay Middle School.

AAI founder and instructor Garry Howard imported a genuine Japanese master for the event: Sensei Haruo Matsuoka, a former student of actor/martial-arts guru Steven Seagal who fathered his own Aikido movement, called "Doshinokai."

Howard said Aikido enthusiasts from as far away as Nebraska traveled to Brazil for the event. Participants in the seminar, including Steve Kriskovich of the Chicago-area dojo Kanazuchi (6444.JPG), received decidedly hands-on instruction.

Instructors at the event included (Karate Guys.JPG) Sensei Michael Howard, who heads up the AAI dojo in Robinson, Ill., Matsuoka, Howard and Sensei John Reich, operator of the Chicago branch of the AAI.