Draft:Aviv Goldsmith

Aviv Goldsmith

Aviv Goldsmith is an American Aikido instructor who has served as the Chief Instructor of Aikido in Fredericksburg, which is a nonprofit Aikido dojo in Spotsylvania, Virginia, since 2002. He holds the rank of sixth degree black belt and is registered as a Shidoin, a certified instructor, with Aikido World Headquarters. Goldsmith trained as an uchideshi under Morihiro Saito at the Iwama Dojo in Japan and has been involved with the Takemusu Aikido Association, where he has contributed to the development and promotion of traditional Aikido teachings. He has also contributed to Aikido education through the creation of DojoCho.org and the development of the Aiki Kodomo Kenshukai seminar series and the workshop How to Run an Aikido Dojo.

Early Career

Goldsmith first became involved in Aikido as a teenager after being introduced to the martial art at the New York Aikikai. In 1987, he began training with Wolfgang Baumgartner at Reno Aikido Co-op. When Baumgartner returned to Germany, Goldsmith assumed the role of Dojo Cho of Reno Aikido Co-Op and led the dojo for several years before relocating to Virginia.

Alongside his Aikido training, Goldsmith built a career in project development, project management, and renewable energy. As his interest in teaching continued to grow, he chose to retire from that profession and dedicate his work to Aikido. In 2002, he accepted an invitation from the Fredericksburg Aikido Club to become its Chief Instructor, marking the beginning of his leadership at Aikido in Fredericksburg.

Aikido in Fredericksburg

After moving to Virginia in 2002, Goldsmith became the Chief Instructor of the Fredericksburg Aikido Club. At the time, the dojo had four members and held classes in rented training spaces. Drawing on his experience as a dojo leader in Reno and his training in Japan, Goldsmith focused on building a dedicated training facility and growing the dojo community.

Under Goldsmith's leadership, Aikido in Fredericksburg expanded its community outreach through public demonstrations and instructional programs. Members of the dojo have assisted with Aikido classes at the University of Mary Washington and the Stafford Courthouse Community Center, and the organization has hosted demonstrations featuring practitioners with decades of Aikido experience.

His experience as an uchideshi under Morihiro Saito at the Iwama Dojo influenced the direction of Aikido in Fredericksburg and the development of its residential uchideshi apprenticeship program. After years of planning and development, the organization opened its current dojo in Spotsylvania County in October 2009 just days before its first international seminar. The 7,200 square foot facility, which includes a 102-mat tatami training area, was designed specifically for Aikido training and was inspired by the traditions of the Iwama Dojo in Japan.

Training and Teaching Contributions

Goldsmith's Aikido training is connected to the Iwama tradition, which preserves the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba through the work of Morihiro Saito. Goldsmith trained as an uchideshi, or live in student, under Saito at the Iwama Dojo in Japan.

Throughout his teaching career, Goldsmith has focused on developing educational opportunities for Aikido instructors and students. He founded DojoCho.org as a resource for dojo managers, teachers, and instructors, providing materials related to teaching and managing Aikido organizations. He also created the Aiki Kodomo Kenshukai seminar series, which focuses on youth Aikido instruction, and the workshop How to Run an Aikido Dojo. He has also supported Aikido instruction in the Fredericksburg area through community classes and programs for different age groups.

Goldsmith has also taught Aikido seminars and classes outside of Aikido in Fredericksburg and has been involved with the Takemusu Aikido Association from its inception in 2001, an organization focused on preserving and promoting traditional Aikido teachings connected to the Iwama tradition.

Affiliations

Goldsmith is one of the founders of the Takemusu Aikido Association, an organization that focuses on preserving and promoting traditional Aikido teachings connected to the Iwama tradition. He has been a director since 2001 and has sequentially served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President. Aikido in Fredericksburg is a member of the association which maintains an affiliation with the Aikikai Foundation, also known as Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

Teaching Philosophy

Goldsmith describes Aikido as a martial art focused on nonviolent conflict resolution and personal development. He has stated that long-term dedication to Aikido allows practitioners to develop their skills over many years and inspire others through their example. He emphasizes adapting instruction to the needs of students and creating programs that support different groups within the community. Goldsmith has also taught Aikido classes for senior citizens through the Stafford County Parks and Recreation Department. To accommodate older participants, instruction was adapted by reducing techniques involving falls while continuing to teach Aikido principles, forms, and movement. This approach is reflected in the programs offered at Aikido in Fredericksburg, including instruction for youth, special needs youth, adults, and seniors.