Sunday Morning Keiko is proud to host the 2nd annual Karate and Aikido Seminar in Sarasota (its innaugural year was 2018 billed as the Florida Spring Keiko). We welcome practitioners from all styles to join us in a celebration and exploration of our training, hopefully gaining something unique from the exchange of ideas between these two arts. The Friday and Saturday training sessions will be held in the newly renovated 12th Street Dojo, with the Sunday Morning Sendoff Training and BBQ held at South Lido Beach.

Rick Hotton Sensei will again be guiding the Shotokan sessions and Melissa Bell Sensei the aikido sessions.

Melissa Bell Sensei began her training in 1992 at the Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington D.C. under Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, and other senior instructors including Patty Saotome Sensei and Frank Bell Sensei.

Bell Sensei presently holds the rank of 5th degree black belt (Godan) in Aikido (A.S.U. and Aikikai) as well as Shodan in Shotokan Karate, and has received all of her Aikido ranks directly from Saotome Sensei.  In addition, she has received the honor of the Ueshiba Juku designation from Saotome Sensei.

Bell Sensei teaches regularly at the 12th Street Aikido Dojo.

Rick Hotton sensei (5th Dan), is a 47 year veteran of karate do and has been the Chief Instructor of West Wind Karate Dojo for the past 40 years. An innovative instructor, Hotton sensei combines a mixture of classical training infused with Aiki principle to form a unique approach to Karate practice.

Hotton sensei’s teaching and approach can be view on his popular youtube channel; "Shotokan Karate", which has gained a worldwide following. He is the Founder of Sunday Morning Keiko.

The Cost to attend all seminar sessions is $150 for Sunday Morning Keiko members, $200 for non members. For more on Sunday Morning Keiko Membership and to join, please go here.

Sunday barbecue is included with cost of seminar registration. Florida Summer Keiko T-shirts are available at time of registration in whatever size and quantity combinations are desired to be reserved, with some limited inventory in size Medium or Large for sale at the event as supplies last, other sizes are best reserved in advance. The one day cost for the Sunday Morning training session and barbecue only is $60 if not registered for the entire seminar.

Travel

Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) and Tampa International (TPA) are both options, though Tampa is about an hour’s drive from Sarasota. However, flights into Tampa tend to be less expensive. Ground transportation is likely best acquired through rental car, carpooling, or Lyft. Taxi services are not cost effective and the public transportation system is not ideal for reaching the dojo or beach.

Weather

A note to those unfamiliar with the Southern Florida climate: Expect anywhere from 85 to 95 during the day (Average Hi 91 Lo 75). Afternoon or evening rain and storms are common during the summer, but participants from outside the area should bring and use plenty of sun protection for outdoor training sessions as the UV index is very high during this time of year. The training space is air conditioned, but participants should remember to hydrate thoroughly throughout the seminar weekend.

Area Hotels

This section will be updated with any group discounts should they become available to our participants. The following hotels are within the area

La Quinta (941) 366-5128 1803 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234 (Closer to 12th St. Dojo)

La Quinta (941) 366-5128 5931 Commercial Way (Closer to Interstate 75)

Courtyard Sarasota (941) 355-3337 850 University Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34234 (Closer to Interstate 75)

Mainstay Suites (941) 500-4700 75 Packinghouse Rd (Closer to Interstate 75)

Hotel Indigo (941) 487-3800 1223 Boulevard of the Arts (4 Mi from South Lido Beach Location)

Quality Inn (941) 921-7750 5778 Clark Road, I-75 Exit 205 (Closer to Interstate 75)

Theme Parks

Disney World Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and others (117 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure (128 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove (125 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

Busch Gardens (66 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

Beaches

Siesta Key Beach (948 Beach Road) (8.2 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

Lido Beach (400 or 2150 Benjamin Franklin Drive) (4.9 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

Museums

Ringling Museum of Art (8 Mi from 12th St. Dojo)

Classic Car Museum (4 Mi from 12th St Dojo)

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (5.6 Mi from 12th St Dojo)

For additional suggestions, try visitsarasota.org

Join Us in July! Use the options below to register for the event and add on any extras.