Home

Aikido Dubai

Register Now

Aikido Dubai

Register Now

Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai

30th Anniversary International Seminar

Honouring Our Founder, Our Legacy, and 30 Years of Aikido in Dubai. A Global Celebration of Unity, Tradition, and the Spirit of Aikido.

Event Dates: 6th – 8th February 2026

  • Friday: 7pm to 9pm
  • Saturday: 9:30am to 12:30pm, (Lunch), 3pm - 6pm
  • Sunday: 9:30am to 10:30am - Family / Children's Class
  • Sunday: 10:30am to 12.30pm, (Lunch), 3pm - 6pm

Location

Participation Contribution

  • Early Registration (before 15th January) - Full Seminar: AED 630
  • Standard Registration (from 15th January) - Full Seminar: AED 735
  • Per Day Training: AED 420
  • Family & Children's Class: AED 150
Register Now

* Advance Registration required.
Participation contribution payable via company bank transfer or cash at the door. No tickets issued.

A message from the current Zanshinkan Dojo-Cho of Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai and UAE Director for AAI

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to our international Aikido Seminar! I am Cathy Darnell Sensei (5th Dan), and as the current Dojo-Cho of Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai, I look forward to hosting practitioners from around the globe. Having started my own journey in Aikido in 2000, I understand the profound commitment this art requires, and since July 2016, I have carried forward the legacy of our founder, John Ratnam Sensei.

This event is a vital opportunity for us to share techniques, explore the spirit of Aikido, and strengthen the bonds of our worldwide community. We are honored to welcome a distinguished lineup of instructors and look forward to training with you on the mat!

Register Now

Mission Statement

For 30 years, Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai has been a home of harmony, discipline, and international community in the heart of the Middle East. Our 30th Anniversary Seminar celebrates the legacy of our founder, the late John Ratnam Sensei, the spirit of our dojo, and the dedicated students who have carried this lineage forward.

This landmark event brings together practitioners from around the world to honour three decades of Aikido in Dubai through unity, humility, and shared training. Our mission is to celebrate our past, strengthen our present, and inspire the future of Aikido for the next generation.

This seminar is a tribute to our community, our lineage, and the living spirit of Aikido that continues to grow and evolve in Dubai.

Guest Senior International Instructors

Tatsuo (Stephen)
Toyoda Sensei

Read Bio

Glen Matsuda Shihan
7th Dan

Read Bio

Matjaž Sensei
6th Dan Slovenia

Read Bio

Tim Spies Sensei
6th Dan USA

Read Bio

Verhaeren Christiaan
6th Dan Belgium

Read Bio

Remembering the late John Ratnam Sensei 5th Dan UAE

Read Bio

Tatsuo (Stephen)
Toyoda Sensei

Read Bio

Glen Matsuda Shihan
7th Dan

Read Bio

Matjaž Sensei
6th Dan Slovenia

Read Bio

Tim Spies Sensei
6th Dan USA

Read Bio

Verhaeren Christiaan
6th Dan Belgium

Read Bio

Remembering the late John Ratnam Sensei 5th Dan UAE

Read Bio

Immerse Yourself in the Global Art of Aikido

Get ready for an unparalleled training opportunity as we host seven leading instructors from around the world. This is your chance to deepen your understanding of Aikido, explore diverse techniques and philosophies, and connect with dedicated practitioners from the Aikido Association of America (AAA) and Aikido Association International (AAI).

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned black belt, join us for a weekend of intense learning, connection, and spiritual growth as we continue the legacy of O'Sensei.

Payment Options

  • At the registration desk on the day of seminar
  • Bank transfer to the organizer's business account after your registration has been confirmed
  • Payment details will be provided after registration confirmation via email or WhatsApp

Hotel Rooms Agreements

Submit your registration request early to secure your place, as spaces are limited

Payment Options

  • At the registration desk on the day of seminar
  • Bank transfer to the organizer's business account after your registration has been confirmed
  • Payment details will be provided after registration confirmation via email or WhatsApp

Get in Touch

Cathy Darnell
Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai Dojo Cho

Instagram

Anniversary Dinner

Liability Waiver of Responsibility & Agreement

© 2025 Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai. All rights reserved.
Design by HSC Digital

Tatsuo (Stephen) Toyoda Sensei (Director of AAA and AAI)

Tatsuo (Stephen) Toyoda Sensei is the current President and Chief Instructor of the Aikido Association of America (AAA) and the Aikido Association International (AAI), succeeding his late father, the founder Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Sensei Toyoda has been involved in Aikido since the age of three. After graduating with a degree in Biology, he served as an uchideshi (live-in student) under Yasuo Kobayashi Shihan in Tokorozawa, Japan. He serves as the Dojo-Cho of Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago, Illinois, and travels extensively, leading seminars throughout the United States and internationally to spread the Aikido spirit instilled by his father. Sensei Toyoda holds the rank of 6th Dan from the Aikikai Foundation.

Glen Matsuda Shihan 7th Dan

Glen Matsuda Shihan is an esteemed instructor, holding the rank of 7th Dan and serving as the AAA Eastern Region Shibucho (Chief of the Eastern Region). He began his Aikido training in 1970 and later became a student of the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan, eventually following him when the Aikido Association of America (AAA) was founded. Matsuda Shihan continues the tradition and teachings of the AAA as the chief instructor of Shishinkan Dojo / Rockland Aikido in New Jersey. He is recognized for his commitment to the art and his active role in the organization, frequently instructing at AAA events and seminars globally.

Matjaž Sensei 6th Dan Slovenia

Matjaž Sensei (Matjaž Dobravec) is a highly respected instructor from Slovenia and the head of the Shodokan Dojo in Ljubljana, which he founded in 1994. He currently holds the rank of 6th Dan and leads the Gendai Center, the Shodokan's headquarters. His dojo has been a member of the Aikido Association International (AAI) since 1999, linking his students to the international network. Sensei Matjaž is dedicated to spreading Aikido, often organizing and guest-instructing seminars both locally in Slovenia and internationally, including recent trips to places like Mauritius.

Tim Spies Sensei 6th Dan USA

​Tim Spies Sensei holds the rank of 6th Dan and serves as the Chief Instructor of Shinjitsu Dojo in Plainfield, Illinois, USA. He has been a dedicated practitioner and instructor for many years within the Aikido Association of America (AAA) and the Aikido Association International (AAI). Spies Sensei’s teaching style emphasizes precision, practical application, and a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of Aikido. He is a key figure in the AAA organization, often serving on the board and consistently traveling to teach at national and international seminars, sharing his extensive knowledge and commitment to the art with students across the globe.

Verhaeren Christiaan Sensei 6th Dan - Shinbucho Regional Technical Director/Advisor

​Verhaeren Christiaan Sensei s a prominent European Aikido instructor from Belgium holding Rank of 6th Dan. He is Dojo Cho of Ki Jin Aikido in Beveren, Belgium. He has played a significant role in developing and promoting Aikido throughout Europe. Sensei Christiaan travels extensively, leading seminars and technical courses, and his commitment to the AAI ensures that the teachings and standards of the international organization are upheld in the European region. His instruction is known for its clarity and focus on the energetic connection and timing essential to effective Aikido technique.

Remembering the late John Ratnam Sensei 5th Dan UAE

​John Ratnam Sensei 1955-2016 was a pioneering figure in the UAE martial arts community, holding the rank of 5th Dan, and is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Zanshinkan Dojo (formerly Dubai Aikido Club) in Dubai. A dedicated student of the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan, Sensei Ratnam established the UAE's first accredited Aikido school in 1995, spreading the art in the Middle East. Beyond Aikido, he has a strong background in various martial disciplines including Kendo, Iaido, and Karate which inform his teaching. Ratnam Sensei was and is highly regarded for his focus on discipline, respect, and non-conflict, having also trained officers for the Dubai Police Academy and he continued throughout his life to inspire students of all ages at his internationally affiliated dojo.

30th Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai Anniversary Dinner

International Buffet at Metropolitan Hotel Dubai

Date: 7th February

Time: 8pm - 10pm

Venue: Al Safa Restaurant

Prices: Adults - AED 95
6-11 years - AED 50
Under 6 years - Free

Valet Parking

View Location

1000041180
1000041184
1000041186
1000041208

Liability Waiver of Responsibility & Agreement (Mandatory)

I hereby acknowledge that Aikido training involves physical activity and the risk of injury. I understand that I am responsible for my own health, safety, and well-being throughout the event. I agree that Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai, its instructors, assistants, and organizers, are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur during the seminar.

Assumption of Risk: I certify that I am physically fit and capable of participating in the seminar without Medical Restriction.

Photography / Video Release: I grant permission for photos and videos taken during this seminar, which may include my image, to be used for promotional purposes by Zanshinkan Aikido Dubai and Aikido Association International.

Recommended Travel Insurance: The Organizer strongly recommends that all international and local participants secure their own travel insurance to cover any financial loss associated with non-refundable registration fees, flights, accommodation, or medical emergencies that may prevent attendance.