Tea talks
Join us for an engaging educational series featuring speakers from diverse fields. Each session offers unique insights and opportunities to ask questions directly to the professionals. Plus we get to share our favorite tea!
We have 2 upcoming Tea talks events
Topic: Mottainai: The Japanese Secret to Wasting Less & Living More
May 30th, 2026
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Education Center
Price: $5 *Registration required. This doesn’t include the admission.
About the SpeakerS
Maheshwari K (Mahi) is the Visitor Engagement Coordinator at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, where she creates programs that bring together culture, community, and sustainability. Having lived in India, Japan, and the United States, her cross-cultural journey has shaped how she understands the relationship between people and the environment. She completed her masters at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, conducting social science research on waste management and human behavior.
In her lecture on mottainai, she invites participants to reflect on mindful living and discover how small, everyday choices can lead to a more sustainable way of life. The lecture will cover history of mottainai, cultural practices that have roots in mottainai, relevance in our current day and age and tips to bring mottainai to our everyday lives.
Kevin Pickard sensei retired from the business world in 1999 to pursue his on-going dedication to Aikido. He has been practicing and teaching Aikido for over 35 years and holds a Rokudan or 6th degree black belt and has been awarded the title of Shihan.
Trained in Japan and throughout North America with top instructors, in 1992, he participated in the development of Aikido instruction at Shuwakan Dojo in Indianapolis; in 2001, he helped to start Mugen Juku Dojo in Los Angeles; in 2002, he started a children’s class in the Huntington Beach dojo; and in 2009, he moved to San Diego to start Aikido Del Mar. He is the Head Instructor at Aikido Del Mar.
Kevin Sensei says, “Aikido is not a sport, so talent is not required. What is required is persistence, determination and a mindset open to learning something new, something that may challenge many of your current beliefs.
In the correct training environment, the practice of Aikido will reconnect the body, mind and spirit. Any one can benefit regardless of age, gender, size, talent, or fitness. What is different for each person is how that unification expresses itself – overall, it will produce a person with increased self-discipline, focus, and a healthier mind and body. All this happens while you learn this powerful martial art Aikido.”
If you have any questions, please email programs@niwa.org