Harvey Konigsberg

In 1965, Harvey Konigsberg, a promising young boxer and talented artist, attended an Aikido demonstration featuring Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and Koichi Tohei Sensei. The experience proved to be life-altering. Fascinated by the power, grace, and spirit of what he had witnessed, Konigsberg Sensei immediately began to train in Aikido, taking classes at the New York Aikikai. Being the de facto center of Aikido in the U.S., as well as the headquarters of the U.S. Aikido Federation, the Aikikai was home to some of the most gifted instructors in the world. Chief among these instructors was Yamada Sensei, a direct student of Aikido's founder Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei). Konigsberg learned and progressed exponentially. By 1970, he too was teaching at the New York Aikikai, and he has not looked back since. His Aikido career now spans almost 60 years. 

Renowned world-wide for his powerful yet subtle style, Konigsberg Sensei has conducted Aikido seminars on virtually every continent, giving thousands of eager aikidoka the opportunity to experience first-hand his unique approach to Aikido, which emphasizes both fluidity and martial dynamism. When not traveling, Konigsberg Sensei maintains a regular teaching schedule at Woodstock Aikido and teaches once a month at the New York Aikikai. He is also a member of the technical committee of the U.S. Aikido Federation, which is responsible for teaching guidelines as well as rank promotion across the US. 

   Photo credit: Christina Schubert