Monday 24 April 2017

Opportunity for aikido ....

There's a seminar I encourage you to participate in ...or go and watch ..
The MUN Aikido Club Spring Seminar (April 29-30) will once again be taught by Yumi Nakamura Shihan, Chief Instructor of Aikido Tendokai (Toronto) and one of the most senior instructors in the Canadian Aikido Federation. She has visited many times and anyone who has been to any of her seminars will know what a great teacher she is. 
SEMINAR SITE- dojo  St. John's Martial Arts Centre (21 Mews Place). The tentative schedule is:
Saturday (April 29)
10:00am–11:15am Beginner's class
11:20am—12:30pm Regular class
12:30pm—2:00pm Lunch
2:00pm–4:00pm Regular classes 
Sunday (April 30)
10:30am—1:00pm Regular classes

Nakamura Sensei will teach all classes. The first class on Saturday morning will be a Beginner's class. All are welcome. 

EEA NL continues this wednesday ...

Kids aikido at Bishop Field continues this week ...Weenesday April 26

Friday 21 April 2017

Local experience and influence ....

I first experienced aikido at MUN ...Les Mulholland was there. My attraction to the movement was immediate. But maybe there for 1 or 2 classes and had other commitments. I returned to the art a number of years later ..practising at Br Rice and Holy Cross. My early instructors were the MacDonald brothers ...Derm, Bill and Kevin. Sensei Derm was my consistant and longest and current sensei. I didnt know Grham Burt who died in 1979 ..he brought aikido to Newfoundland in 1967 from England. Derm, Bill and Kevin taught the forms from Graham Sensei. Sensei Derm has been my main teacher for most of my practise and is my current sensei. I have Derm Sensei to thank for involving me deeply on this path. I really didn't realize the depth of training and the opportunities in the world to visit other dojos as a kyu rank. After getting shodan I realized i still had a lot i wanted to learn. I practised even on my own time ..thats how much i loved aikido. For a number of years Paul was my practise partner, Then in recent years Jim too. Rob was for a while a number of years ago. I remember spending time with Tom Alteen ..learning again !!!Lately with the kids club on the go Colette and i explore aikido. I am rambling to say ...there are others who enjoy this learning journey too, And we just do it.

Iwama..O'Senei's later home and dojo

I also visited Iwama overnight. They were gracious and helpful. Very small group and dojo space.





Japan ...birthplace of all aikido

O'Sensei put together this martial art ......Tokyo Hombu Dojo began in the 1920's. I visited the modern site in 2012. O'Sensei died in 1969.




The top picture was the upper floor of Hombu. Main classes practise here. The lower picture is the mat where beginner classes and kids practised. Lots of places o practise ...What i learned - the Seneis were very experienced and taught very simply. Repetition and basic moves. Crowded classes but wonderful practise.

Helpful contacts..

To my left ...KIm ..he and his girlfriend - he now has his own dojo in Brazil. They gave me a lift in New York to summer camp. Soooo nice to meet nice people in aikido ...it's possible all over the world

What I learned ....

It is easier when geographically closer to training centers ... so much at your finger tips. Regardless - repetition of basic technique and ritual. Simple means to progress. So true for many things in life.

Summer Camp ...


Coordinated New York with summer camp ...

WE drove from New York aikikai to summer camp ...

Builders ...inspiration cont'd ....


Yamada Sensei ...and Donovan Sensei ...on my trip to New York

Meeting the first builders ....

On one trip to New York ...i met Sugano Sensei... a true inspiration ...

Wednesday 19 April 2017

Simple dwelling ...

Yamada Sensei arrived in New York in 1966... and the beginnings of aikido in the western world took strong root. It was a humble beginning ...and in the start of the 21st century ...many years later i would find a humble place still.







At the top of the stairs ...

Arrived

New York Aikido visit cont'd

It was daunting to visit such a terrific city. At the dojo, i walked up the stairs to find a place of dedication to aikido

Visit New York Aikikai ...i did

A few years ago i stayed a month in New York at Yamada Sensei's dojo. It's a permanent center of practise. Deshi ...long or short term stay there from all over the world. I returned a couple years later and stayed a week. Always something to learn.



Monday 17 April 2017

Aikido in the modern age ....

http://www.usaikifed.com/events/        This link refers you to sites and dates of training spots all over the world ...

Yamada Sensei ..... in my opinion, has been a wise leader of aikido in the western world. He initiated aikido in many parts of the western world. I have stayed briefly a couple of times at his permanent dojo in New York. It had very humble beginnings. Even now it has a relatively small practise space with modest facilities. BUT with expert teaching and routine. Numerous classes per day. Since Yamada arrived decades ago he trained many who now teach at his dojo and many who have gone on to open their own dojo. Men and women and kids train at Sensei's dojo. People of all ages and ranks ....and from all over the world. I encourage others visit as i did. It inspired me to continue practising and formed my aikido growth.

Sunday 16 April 2017

A lesson from Malala ....

She looked around the House ...and hoped next time there would be more women ....A lot of progress has been made in our progressive society. Numerous times in my life time I have heard ..girls and women "don't or can't " do that. It was difficult many times but i still did what i hoped to do. BUT doors were closed ....unfairly. Now is a different age ...Malala is brave. She faces death. In our society we only face neglect and or disrespect. Sometimes it's just said ..but nowadays it's mostly indirect.
I have travelled many times with aikido ...when I look around and see many black belt women ...it is inspiring. I remember when it first happened ...luckily now there are several black belt women in our province ...but that is very very recent ....

Wednesday 12 April 2017

Explaining how harmony "looks"

Aikido is oft explained as an art of blending and harmony. In the face of attack .....
THis link is not aikido ...but i believe Malala explains what it takes to build a world of harmony ...

http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1099379

Saturday 8 April 2017

Upcoming seminar ....go participate or see

April 29-30
see    http://www.mun.ca/aikido/

    taught by Yumi Nakamura Shihan, Chief Instructor of Aikido Tendokai (Toronto) and one of the most senior instructors in the Canadian Aikido Federation. She has visited NL many times and anyone who has been to any of her seminars will know what a great teacher she is. 

Monday 3 April 2017

Good Source of aikido info

http://www.usaikifed.com/

First April wednesday ..

Classes continue this wednesday at Bishop Field. Sensei Jim Shidoin will have to take a raincheck ....BUT CLASS goes on !!!!