<![CDATA[Shinju Dojo Aikido Martial Arts School in Longview / Kelso, Washington - Blog]]>Sun, 04 Jan 2026 15:02:57 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Heather's on YouTube!]]>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 22:30:55 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/heathers-on-youtubeCheck out the new videos on YouTube of Heather teaching randori (freestyle aikido) tips and tricks at Windsong Dojo during their annual seminar this September.

The first video can be found here:

The second video can be viewed here:
]]><![CDATA[Happy Holidays]]>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:49:25 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/happy-holidaysThank you everyone for all your support this year.  The YMCA is using our space for a Christmas event, so enjoy your holidays and we'll see you in the New Year!
]]><![CDATA[Windsong Seminar]]>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 19:31:21 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/windsong-seminarWindsong Dojo’s annual seminar is just around the corner. We look forward to seeing everyone again!

https://www.windsongdojo.com/2025-fall-clinic-windsong/


2025 Fall Clinic: September 19-21

Windsong Dojo will be hosting our annual clinic the weekend of September 19-21, 2025. Please join us for a fun weekend of budo, friends, food, and fun!

Where:
Windsong Dojo, 2201 W I 44 Service Rd.Oklahoma City OK 73112

Cost:
Clinic Only (prior to 09/18/2025): $60
Clinic + Dinner (prior to 09/18/2025): $80
Dinner only: $20

** Price will increase to $75 (clinic only) and $95 (clinic + dinner) on 09/18/2025

RegistrationClinic Only Registration
Clinic + Dinner Registration
Dinner Only Registration

Schedule (Tentative)

Friday
1:00 PM – Randori Drills
3:00 PM – Groundwork for Aikido (Non-Judo Players)
7:00 PM – Judo

Saturday
6:00 AM – Morning Aikido Class
7:30 AM – Morning Judo Class
9:00 AM – 3rd Release Chain Series
10:30 AM – Aikido
12:00 PM – Group Photo
12:10 PM – Lunch Break
2:00 PM – Jyodo
3:30 PM – Judo
5:00 PM – Open Mat
6:30 PM – Group Dinner at the Dojo (Ted’s Café Escondido)

Sunday
9:00 AM – Forum on the Walk
10:30 AM – Release Movements with Internal Focus
12:00 PM – Open Mat
1:00 PM – Clinic Ends

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]]><![CDATA[Windsong Dojo Fall Clinic]]>Thu, 22 May 2025 19:41:53 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/windsong-dojo-fall-clinicWindsong Dojo has announced the dates for the 2025 Fall Budo Clinic! They have honored me and asked me to teach aikido and randori. David Lusk will be teaching jodo. I can’t wait to hear about the full line-up. See you soon!


https://www.windsongdojo.com/2025-fall-clinic-windsong/
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]]><![CDATA[Congratulations!]]>Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:58:16 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/congratulations1600361Congratulations, Robbie, on your nidan promtion and to Jonathan on your shodan! You guys are doing fantastic! Thank you for your dedication and friendship!
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]]><![CDATA[Self Defense Seminar]]>Sat, 15 Mar 2025 16:15:58 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/self-defense-seminarThank you to all the Cowlitz County employees who attended our self defense seminars. We had a lot of fun and look forward to seeing you again soon!
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]]><![CDATA[Merry Christmas!]]>Tue, 24 Dec 2024 23:32:50 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/merry-christmasMerry Christmas from all of us at Shinju Dojo! We won’t have classes on Christmas Day, but we’ll see everyone again on Monday. Have a wonderful day!
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Even Santa loves aikido!
]]><![CDATA[No Class on Monday]]>Sat, 31 Aug 2024 19:36:32 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/no-class-on-mondayQuick reminder: the YMCA is closed for Labor Day so we won’t have class on Monday.

​But, there’s no reason to cry. Regular classes will resume on Wednesday. Have a wonderful day off. See you soon!]]><![CDATA[Windsong Dojo Seminar]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 04:53:07 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/windsong-dojo-seminarWindsong Dojo has announced the dates for their Fall 2024 seminar!

Join us in Oklahoma City on Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22.  The details and seminar schedule will be coming soon, but it is always a fun time and your budo brain will be full by the end of the weekend.  This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from some incredible master martial artists and make lifelong friends.

Check their website for updates as more information becomes available.

Windsong Dojo is at 2201 W I 44 Service Rd. Oklahoma City OK 73112
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]]><![CDATA[We were Nominated!]]>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:04:21 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/we-were-nominatedShinju Dojo and Heather Gawlick were nominated for the Pillars of Strength Award for Best Small Business, and Business Individual of the Year! Vote here!


https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024pillarsofstrengthaward]]><![CDATA[Shinju Dojo Turns 25!]]>Thu, 21 Mar 2024 02:08:37 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/shinju-dojo-turns-25It's hard to believe, but Shinju Dojo is 25 years old!  Gosh, most days I don't even feel that old myself - ha ha.  We had a wonderful celebration last month at the fanciest restaurant in town and are very grateful to everyone who came to cheer us on.   We have a wonderful dojo community and incredible friends we've made over the years.  We wouldn't be able to do it without you!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being such an important part of our lives!

Have you ever wondered where the name Shinju Dojo comes from?  You can read all about it here.

You can read an interview about Heather's martial arts career here.  You can read an interview about Roy's martial arts career here.

Interested in learning more? Check out this link.
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]]><![CDATA[Congratulations, Bridget!]]>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:10:31 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/congratulations-bridget5736149Congratulations Bridget on your green belt promotion! You're doing great! Thanks for being a part of our dojo.
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]]><![CDATA[Congratulations, Robbie!]]>Thu, 07 Mar 2024 03:37:41 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/congratulations-robbie6469867Congratulations on your Ikkyu promotion, Robbie! You are doing fantastic things and will be a black belt before you know it. Thank you for being such a dedicated part of our dojo community.
]]><![CDATA[Class Tonight]]>Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:39:06 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/class-tonightAt this point, we are planning on having class tonight, as long as we don’t get a return of the freezing rain we had last night. Please be careful as the roads and parking lot are still very icy. See everyone soon!]]><![CDATA[No Class Tonight]]>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:00:42 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/no-class-tonightDue to icy roads, the YMCA is closing early tonight, Monday, January 15 and we won't have aikido class.  Hopefully, we'll be back on Wednesday.  Our fingers are crossed that the weather man is wrong and there's no ice storm tomorrow.  We'll be sure to keep everyone informed.
]]><![CDATA[New Year, New Pricing]]>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:12:21 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/new-year-new-pricingHappy New Year, everyone!  We have new pricing at the YMCA.

Monthly membership rates:
     YMCA members - $35.00
     non-members - $70.00
     additional family members - 1/2 off the price of the first person

To sign up for classes with the YMCA, stop by in person or use this link.

Mondays and Wednesdays
6:00 - 8:00 PM

YMCA of Southwest Washington
766 - 15th Avenue
Longview, WA 98632

All classes are on a month-to-month basis. We never have contracts. We do not charge for promotions or demonstrations of rank.

Please contact us at (360) 998-0749 or sensei@shinjudojo.com, and we'll be happy to answer all your questions.

Ready to sign up today? In addition to signing up with the YMCA, we also ask that you download our application, fill it out on both sides, sign it, and email it back to us.  We'll contact you to finalize the process.
]]><![CDATA[Solstice Walk]]>Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:16:22 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/solstice-walkA great, big, thank you to everyone who came out to the Solstice Walk on Saturday!  We had an incredible time.  The weather was fantastic and we had a great crowd at all the community booths.  We enjoyed those who had creative lights.  One family even had homemade paper lanterns that glowed.  The fun run was a great success and we really enjoyed watching the kayakers  light up the lake.  A huge thank you to everyone who came to help out with the dojo booth at Mars!  We couldn't have done it without you!  We look forward to next year's Solstice Walk.
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]]><![CDATA[Congratulations, Bridget!]]>Fri, 17 Nov 2023 20:31:27 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/congratulations-bridgetCongratulations, Bridget, on your orange belt promotion!  You're doing great and we're very proud of you!  Keep up the good work, and you'll be a black belt before you know it.
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]]><![CDATA[Congratulations, Yellow Belts]]>Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:29:48 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/congratulations-yellow-belts2250181Congratulations, Chris and Jon, on your yellow belt promotions!  You're doing fantastic and we're so proud of the progress you're making.  Thank you for joining our dojo family!
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]]><![CDATA[Nick Lowry Interview, Part 2]]>Tue, 24 Oct 2023 22:11:01 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/nick-lowry-interview-part-2Our long-time friend and mentor, Nick Lowry was interviewed by Martial Arts Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.  Way to go, Nick!  You can read part two of the article here.
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]]><![CDATA[Nick Lowry Interview, Part 1]]>Tue, 17 Oct 2023 22:51:19 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/nick-lowry-interview-part-1Our long-time friend and mentor, Nick Lowry was interviewed by Martial Arts Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.  Way to go, Nick!  You can read part one of the interview here.
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]]><![CDATA[Congratulations, Robbie!]]>Mon, 11 Sep 2023 00:39:01 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/congratulations-robbie9154866Congratulations, Robbie on your Nikyu promotion!  You're getting closer to black belt every day.  It will happen before you know it.  You're doing great. Thanks for your dedication!
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]]><![CDATA[Half Price Classes in August]]>Thu, 27 Jul 2023 22:25:57 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/half-price-classes-in-augustHeather and Roy have some vacation time planned in August and to say thank you to our loyal students for giving us some time off, we're offering a once-in-a-lifetime sale.  Classes in August are half off!  Be sure to stop by the YMCA or sign up online here today and take advantage of the sale.

The classes we are closed are August 2, 7, 21, and 23.  See you for some fun on the mat soon!
]]><![CDATA[No class Monday, July 17]]>Sun, 16 Jul 2023 17:48:27 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/no-class-monday-july-17We will have no class on Monday, July 17. But, don’t fret! We return to regular classes on Wednesday. See you on the mat soon!]]><![CDATA[New Yellow Belt!]]>Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:40:19 GMThttps://www.shinjudojo.com/blog/new-yellow-beltCongratulations, Bridget, on your yellow belt promotion! You're learning lots and we're proud of the job you're doing.  Keep up the good work!
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