Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Katz.
Hi Steven, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Steven Katz, I’m a fifth degree black belt (godan) in Aikido which I started practicing at 19 years old in 1989. I’ve lived in San Diego since 2010 and taught Aikido here since 2010. My Wife Edeline Fotheringham also trains and teaches Aikido at the dojo. My Daughter Rivka has been training since she was 4 and is a blue belt (yonkyu).
My dojo, Kagami Dojo (affiliated with Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo through ASU [Aikido Schools of Ueshiba]), was started in 2019 and at the beginning of this year (2025) took over the Standley recreation center dojo formerly known as Ryushinkan Dojo under the direction of Martin Katz Sensei (no known relation). Martin taught at Standley rec for over 45 years up to his retirement last year.
Here is the bio I wrote this year for seminars I’m teaching. The intended audience for this text is people who already practice Aikido and have some context, but it may be of use to you:
My Aikido journey began in 1989 in Baltimore, MD, where senseis Saotome, Weber, Okimura, and Page first sparked my fascination with the art. In 1991, I moved to Boulder, CO, dedicating 16 formative years to training with Ikeda Sensei. Under his rigorous guidance, I not only embraced demanding physical practice but also began to forge my unique understanding of Aikido.
I also trained with Kang and Jordan senseis at Bond St in NYC for 5 years where I felt embraced by the community and realized how this practice was collective, not just collaborative – and fun.
Since 2017, I’ve had the privilege of training regularly with Martin Katz (no relation) Sensei in San Diego, CA. Our shared practice has deepened my appreciation for teaching with gratitude, compassion, and empathy, and reinforced the importance of approaching the art with a sense of humility. Witnessing my daughter begin her Aikido journey with Martin Sensei at a young age further reshaped my perspective on instruction and community.
In 2019 I started Kagami Dojo in San Diego, CA and I currently serve as head instructor and Dojo Cho. Kagami is Japanese for “mirror” and it is with a focus of reflection and seeing ourselves in relationship to others that our humanity can grow. I believe Aikido is a profound, communal practice that fosters a deeper understanding of our fellow human beings, challenging us both emotionally and physically within a supportive and interconnected community.
– Steven Katz
Here is a good intro blurb about Aikido unknown author but I adjusted it a little bit to relate specifically to our dojo in the context of greater Aikido:
合 AI — JOINING, HARMONIZING
気 KI — SPIRIT, LIFE ENERGY
道 DO — WAY, PATH
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the way of harmonious energy.” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. One of Ueshiba’s top, live-in students toward the end of his life in 1969 was Mitsugi Saotome Sensei. Saotome Sensei at 89 years old is the last living uchideshi (live-in student) of the founder. Saotome Sensei is Steven Katz’s teacher and the head of our affiliate organization that links us to Headquarters Dojo (Hombu) in Japan.
Aikido is primarily a grappling art in which attacks are neutralized with various types of throws or joint locks. Aikido techniques are intended to be implemented after first blending with the motion of the attacker, so that the defender may redirect the attacker’s momentum without directly opposing it, thus using minimum effort.
Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba’s involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion.
All that said, I do have other people at the dojo that are great teachers and long-time practitioners of Aikido with diverse experiences within Aikido and other traditional martial arts (Kendo, Judo, Jujutsu, Systema, Iaido). Matthew Smith Sensei runs our 7-10 year old program with help from Amadeo Gallo. Maiko Kasuya Sensei runs our adult beginner class Tuesday evenings. Sui-wai Wu Sensei often covers our Advanced class when I’m away, Tom Groot Sensei teaches on Saturday mornings and Edeline Fotheringham teaches Saturday afternoons. I teach 10-16 year olds Thursdays with help from Ed Lai and Michael Reaves, and I follow that up with the Advanced class for adults.
Aikido is a profound practice that allows us to explore complex interpersonal relationships in a physical and emotional way within a martial context. This is an intimate, but safe way to learn trust, compassion, awareness, and empathy while gaining physical understanding of balance, timing, space and how to be efficient in all movement related activities, especially falling safely and gracefully and (hopefully) getting back up.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Aikido is a never-ending, life-long practice. Over my 36 years in the art, I’ve had very frustrating moments. I’ve never thought I would quit though. Aikido has been the mainstay of my person growth path since I was 19. I’ve had many amazing teachers, some world renowned, some hidden gems. I’ve met most of my friends through this practice. I met my wife at an aikido summer camp in 2003 in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I trained and taught in New York City at Bond St Dojo during which 9-11 occurred (I witnessed the second plane impact and both buildings fall). Aikido worldwide basically shut down during covid and many of us had to somehow develop Zoom classes for an art that requires physical touch to understand. Many dojos closed. I have many friends with dojos around the country that are still practicing in parks or residential garages. Not everywhere has San Diego’s weather.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m pretty sure you want to hear about Aikido, but I do not make my living in Aikido. I’m a furniture designer/maker by trade. I have a BFA in Sculpture. Most of my career has centered around making things. I’m not exactly sure what you’re looking for in this section. If you want me to expound here please let me know.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I see myself as an Aikido coach more than an Aikido Teacher. My focus in how I run the dojo is to give every student the opportunity to realize their own Aikido. I’m not here to make people do my Aikido (which is not possible), but to discover themselves through the practice. I’m good at seeing where a student might find a breakthrough and giving them tools to work through their struggles to emerge understanding a bit more. This of course is for intermediate and advanced students; for beginners, we strive to set a strong foundation of the basic structure of ukemi (falling practice) and basic martial techniques that they will use to advance their practice later.
Pricing:
- 12 weeks (give or take from holidays) $123 payable through parks and rec website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kagamidojo.com
- Other: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/sdparkandrec/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&site_ids=117&viewMode=list
