Aiki Forward

One of the very first people to reach out with encouraging words when I announced that I was starting this project was Crystal Aldrich Sensei, owner and head instructor of Aikido New London County.Crystal Sensei and I go way back (it’s nice to get some “tri-state” representation on the show) and her support has meant the world to me. She’s a tireless builder of bridges and a fierce champion for the global Aikido community, genuinely doing exactly what I hope(d) to achieve with this podcast: keeping Aikido vibrant, making it accessible, and ensuring its survival in the modern world.Crystal Sensei treats networking and human connection as a vital responsibility. While some lament about declining membership, she is actively heading in the opposite direction. Defying the odds and the trend of closing dojos, she (relatively) recently took the monumental leap to open a new one.Opening a dedicated space, especially now, requires an unbelievable amount of hard work, grit, faith, and bravery, yet she’s succeeded quite brilliantly. By committing to her role as a Sensei with unwavering dedication, she’s cultivated a thriving community to be proud of.She’s proving that people are hungry for the harmonious and culturally rich practice of Aikido—they just need to be invited in properly.Yet another commendable aspect of Crystal Sensei’s presence in the Aikido world is the vital example she provides for marginalized demographics. She understands profoundly that representation matters. As a female Dojo Cho, she stands as a beacon for women coming up in the ranks who might be searching the mat for someone who looks like them. She mindfully creates space for female instructors at her seminars and actively works to make her dojo a welcoming, highly visible haven for the LGBTQ+ community. By consciously shedding rigid, exclusionary attitudes of the past, she ensures that anyone seeking empowerment, safety, and a better version of themselves can find solace on her tatami.Beyond the physical walls of her dojo, Crystal’s exemplary work extends to the global stage through her role as a strategist and producer for Aiki Extensions. She’s been instrumental in rebranding their digital presence and helping to promote the availability of AE seed grants for those earnestly looking to use Aikido for social good.I can’t stress this enough: Crystal’s work is invaluable. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to reach membership goals, or simply interested in expanding further the “Art of Peace” in your community, I highly encourage you to get in touch with her:For Aiki Extensions related inquires: [email protected] follow her @aikidonlc on all the social media platformsAlso, join her Aiki-Forward mailing list to learn more about the non-profit organization she’s forming dedicated to helping Aikido thrive for future generations.Crystal Sensei’s aim is to bring together instructors, students, dojo owners, and supporters who care deeply about preserving the heart of Aikido while exploring new ideas, better teaching methods, stronger communities, and sustainable growth.I’m honored to share her mission with youSupport Ki to the CityKi to the City” remains a reader-supported publication. If you draw inspiration from these dialogues and wish to help me keep this project alive, I humbly ask for your support. Please consider signing up to be a paid subscriber.If you would prefer to make a one-time contribution to help offset the costs of production, you can email me directly at [email protected], and as a token of my immense gratitude, you will receive a complimentary copy of Don Dickie Sensei’s deeply reflective volume of poetry, Silent Winds of Aikido. Get full access to Ki to the City at kitothecity.substack.com/subscribe