Dojo News

 July 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Announcements

On Saturday 7/10/2010 from 11am to 3pm we will have our annual Dojo cleaning and BBQ. Bring your favorite BBQ dish!

Concepts

kokyu motions

Taijutsu

ushiro

Weapons

suburi

June 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Announcements

1) check out some of the photo's from the Monterey Div I CAA Retreat at this site,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertgnv/sets/72157624135085494/

2) Ed, Robert & Kathy are prepping for their 6/25/10 4th kyu tests and Dave Bean is preparing for 5th kyu on 6/25/10.

3) 6th kyu tests will happen in the June beginers class. Please come and give the gift of your ukemi.

4) On Saturday 7/10/2010 from 11am to 3pm we will have our annual Dojo cleaning and BBQ. Bring your favorite BBQ dish!

5) Thank you all who come a bit early and take part in the young people's classes!!

Concepts

The first blend or movement is the most important

Taijutsu

4th kyu and 5th kyu

Weapons

5th and 4th kyu suburi and katas

 May 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Announcements

1) Check out this web site regarding the CAA Division I Gasshuku

5/21-->23/2010

www.onepointcenter.com/horizons/

2) Ed, Robert & Kathy prep for their 6/25/10 4th kyu test and Dave prep for

5th kyu on 6/25/10.

Concepts

common beginning movements

Taijutsu

all basic variations from ryote dori

Weapons

bokken and jo suburi for 4th kyu

April 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Announcements

1) Jonathon Lloyd will be promoted to yellow belt 4/26/10
2) Nelson Hulce will test for Shodan on Friday 4/30/10. Party to follow at Saya Korean & Japanese Restaurant.
3) Check out this web site regarding the CAA Division I Gasshuku
5/21-->23/2010

<http://www.onepointcenter.com/horizons/>

4) Ed, Robert & Kathy begin prep for 6/25/10 4th kyu test.

Adult Class format:

Shodan test format--the whole thing in each class.

Suwari waza

Ikkyo - Yonkyo shomen uchi ; yokomen uchi
Gokkyo: yokomen uchi
Kokyu dosa: kihon & ki no nagare


Hanmi Handachi

Shihonage: katate dori ; ryote dori
Iriminage: tsuki ; shomen uchi
Kaitennage: katate dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi
Ushiro:ikkyo, shiho, irimi, kotegaeshi, kokyu ho and kokyu nage


2 ryote dori
2 kata dori
2 hiji dori


Tachi Waza

Ikkyo - Yonkyo---alternating shomen & yokomen
Kaitennage: katate dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi
Kotegaeshi: tsuki ; shomen uchi ; yokomen uchi ; ushiro ; gyakute tori
Iriminage: 5 shomen uchi ; 3 katate dori ; 3 katamenuchi ; tsuki; yokomen uchi ; ushiro
Shihonage: katate dori ; ryote dori ; yokomen uchi; shomen uchi ; tsuki; katamenuchi ; ushiro ; 4 directions
Jujigarame: mune dori ; ushiro ; katamenuchi
Tenchinage: ryote dori
Ushiro Waza-static ikkyo ura, irimi-nage and shiho-nage


3 ushiro ryo-katate
3 ushiro ryo-kata
3 ushiro kubishime; and
any ushiro attack ki no nagare

Koshinage

katate dori; kata dori menuchi; morote dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi;
ushiro ryokatate dori and kubishime
Ki no nagare Morotedori
Five variations-only one can be osae waza-I.N.S.I.Kot.KokyuN.Koshi.KokyuH.Kait.Juji.


Weapons:

kumi tachi-3, kumi jo-3, ken tai jo-3, tachi dori-5, jo dori-5, jo nage-5 & tanto dori-gokyo, kote, kokyu Ho, Hiji Osae & 7 attacks
Jyu Waza
one uke
Three person Randori--3 different starts

 March 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Announcements

1) Leo and Sam will test for Brown belt on 3/29/10
2) Galen will be test for blue belt on 3/24/10
3) Jorie will be promoted to Orange belt and Jonathan to yellow belt on 3/29/10
4) Solomon will be promoted to Orange belt on 3/31/10
5) Nelson Hulce will test for Shodan on 4/30/10

Adult Class format:

Shodan test format--one~two sections per class

Suwari waza

Ikkyo - Yonkyo shomen uchi ; yokomen uchi
Gokkyo: yokomen uchi
Kokyu dosa: kihon & ki no nagare

Hanmi Handachi

Shihonage: katate dori ; ryote dori
Iriminage: tsuki ; shomen uchi
Kaitennage: katate dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi
Ushiro:ikkyo, shiho, irimi, kotegaeshi, kokyu ho and kokyu nage

2 ryote dori
2 kata dori
2 hiji dori

Tachi Waza

Ikkyo - Yonkyo---alternating shomen & yokomen
Kaitennage: katate dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi
Kotegaeshi: tsuki ; shomen uchi ; yokomen uchi ; ushiro ; gyakute tori
Iriminage: 5 shomen uchi ; 3 katate dori ; 3 katamenuchi ; tsuki; yokomen uchi ; ushiro
Shihonage: katate dori ; ryote dori ; yokomen uchi; shomen uchi ; tsuki; katamenuchi ; ushiro ; 4 directions
Jujigarame: mune dori ; ushiro ; katamenuchi
Tenchinage: ryote dori
Ushiro Waza-static ikkyo ura, irimi-nage and shiho-nage

3 ushiro ryo-katate
3 ushiro ryo-kata
3 ushiro kubishime; and
any ushiro attack ki no nagare
Koshinage
katate dori; kata dori menuchi; morote dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi;
ushiro ryokatate dori and kubishime
Ki no nagare Morotedori
Five variations-only one can be osae waza-I.N.S.I.Kot.KokyuN.Koshi.KokyuH.Kait.Juji.

Weapons:

kumi tachi-3, kumi jo-3, ken tai jo-3, tachi dori-5, jo dori-5, jo nage-5 & tanto dori-gokyo, kote, kokyu Ho, Hiji Osae & 7 attacks
Jyu Waza
one uke
Three person Randori--3 different starts


February 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Class format:

Shodan test sections in 2 groups: the shodan examinee's and rotating sempais as a guide

Suwari waza

Ikkyo - Yonkyo shomen uchi ; yokomen uchi
Gokkyo: yokomen uchi
Kokyu dosa: kihon & ki no nagare

Hanmi Handachi

Shihonage: katate dori ; ryote dori
Iriminage: tsuki ; shomen uchi
Kaitennage: katate dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi
Ushiro: 2 ryote dori(kokyu, ikkyo & shiho) ; 2 kata dori (kokyu, irimi & kotegaishi) ;


2 hiji dori (kokyu & kokyu Ho)
Kotegaeshi: tsuki ; shomen uchi

Tachi Waza

Ikkyo - Yonkyo---alternating shomen & yokomen
Kaitennage: katate dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi

Kotegaeshi: tsuki ; shomen uchi ; yokomen uchi ; ushiro ; gyakute tori
Iriminage: 5 shomen uchi ; 3 katate dori ; 3 katamenuchi ; tsuki; yokomen uchi ; ushiro
Shihonage: katate dori ; ryote dori ; yokomen uchi; shomen uchi ; tsuki; katamenuchi ; ushiro ; 4 directions
Jujigarame: mune dori ; ushiro ; katamenuchi
Tenchinage: ryote dori
Ushiro:3 ushiro ryo-katate ; 3 ushiro ryo-kata ; 3 ushiro kubishime; and any ushiro
ki no nagare
Koshinage: katate dori; kata dori menuchi; morote dori ; tsuki ; shomen uchi;
ushiro ryokatate dori and kubishime
Five Morotedori: variations, ki no nagare

Weapons:

kumi tachi, kumi jo, ken tai jo, tachi dori, jo dori, jo nage & tanto dori

Jyu Waza

one uke

Three person Randori

January 2010 Dojo Curriculum

Monthly Japanese phrase for use in the martial arts:

Ake mashitte amedetto gozaimas--congratulations, good commencement/opening, or in this case,
happy new year :-)

Concept:

Similarities and differences in koshi nage across the basic attacks required for shodan.

Taijutsu:

koshi nage

Weapons:

The 5 shodan level variations for: jo dori; tachi dori; jo nage and tanto dori.

Announcements:

1) The dojo will be closed 1/1/2010.

2) The dojo is invited to Nelson Hulce's annual 'surviving the new year' party Saturday 1/9/2010. More details to follow.

3) Please continue to help Nelson prepare for his shodan exam at the end of March by focusing on each month's dojo curriculum outside of my classes. And throwing him as often as he throws you :-)

December 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

Similarities and differences in kokyu nage across the basic attacks required for shodan.

Taijutsu:

kokyu nage

Weapons:

The kihon & ki no nagare versions of the 1st 3: kumi tachi; kumi jo and ken tai jo.

November 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:
Similarities and differences in kotegaeshi across the basic attacks required for shodan.

Taijutsu:
kotegaeshi

Weapons:
The kihon & ki no nagare versions of the 1st 3: kumi tachi; kumi jo and ken tai jo.


October 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:
Similarities and differences in shihonage across the basic attacks required for shodan.

Taijutsu:
Shihonage

Weapons:
The kihon versions of the 1st 3: kumi tachi; kumi jo and ken tai jo.

September 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:
M. Saito Sensei's 1992 ''Lost Seminar'' DVD.

Taijutsu:
Those techniques covered by M. Saito Sensei in his 1992 Sunset Cliffs Aikido seminar

Weapons:
Ken and Jo Suburi; 5 count jo kata and Bokken Awases

Announcements:
1) Over the next few months we'll be experimenting with utilizing M. Saito Sensei's Lost Seminars DVD series as our curriculum. Mainly on Monday evenings.

2) Those going to Saito Hitohiro Sensei's seminar in Fredricksburg should register at the following link by 9/18/09.
 
http://www.aikidoinn.com/

August 2009 Dojo Curriculum

 

Concepts:

As many from M. Saito Sensei's 1991 ''Lost Seminar'' DVD as we can.

 

Taijutsu:

Those techniques covered by M. Saito Sensei in his 1991 Sunset Cliffs Aikido seminar

 

Weapons:

ken tai jo taught by Saito Shihan in his 1991 seminar in San Diego

 

Announcements:

1) Over the next few months we'll be experimenting with utilizing M. Saito Sensei's Lost Seminars DVD series as our curriculum.

2) Keep the following seminar in mind. So far there are 3 of us going together by car. There is room for 1--2 more 'aiki riders'. 

Saito Hitohiro Sensei in Fredericksburg, Virginia October 23-25, 2009

http://www.aikidoinn.com/

Saito Hitohiro Sensei is the son of Morihiro Saito Shihan. He began his Aikido studies at age seven under O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. Sensei became an official instructor of the Iwama dojo in 1986 and remained so until he founded his own association in 2004, the Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai. As Soke, he has an international following of students that are motivated by his powerful Aikido and precise instruction. This seminar will be the first international seminar at the new Aikido in Fredericksburg Hickory Ridge dojo -- a 102 mat “green” building designed in harmony with nature for disseminating the traditional art of Aikido in the modern world.

Click for printable flyer (Acrobat 9)  
 

July 2009 Dojo Curriculum

 

Concepts:

hands, hips and feet connected

 

Taijutsu:

eri dori

 

Weapons:

bokken and jo suburi

 

Announcements:

1) Mike Zarecky had an excellent shodan exam! Thanks to everyone who took ukemi for him prior to and during the test. He wrote an excellent essay which is available for reading at the dojo. Check out the dojo website for photos to be placed on it soon.

2) Thanks to Leo Vanderburgh, Galen Sieck, Gottfried Kloimweider and Shawn Webster for making the 6/20/09 inrto class at the Yellow Springs Public Library work so well.

3) Keep this seminar in mind.  More news to follow.

Saito Hitohiro Sensei in Fredericksburg, Virginia October 23-25, 2009

http://www.aikidoinn.com/

Saito Hitohiro Sensei is the son of Morihiro Saito Shihan. He began his Aikido studies at age seven under O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. Sensei became an official instructor of the Iwama dojo in 1986 and remained so until he founded his own association in 2004, the Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai. As Soke, he has an international following of students that are motivated by his powerful Aikido and precise instruction. This seminar will be the first international seminar at the new Aikido in Fredericksburg Hickory Ridge dojo -- a 102 mat “green” building designed in harmony with nature for disseminating the traditional art of Aikido in the modern world.

Click for printable flyer (Acrobat 9)

June 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:
kihon+ki no nagare
Taijutsu:
koshinage

Weapons:
basic techniques from these knife attacks:
tsuki, shomen, yokomen, slash, knife held at throat; and between the shoulder blades

Announcements:
1) Hitohiro Saito Soke June 4-7, 2009
Aikido of San Leandro is pleased and honored to host a four-day seminar featuring Hitohiro Saito Soke on June 4–7, 2009. Join us and Hitohiro Soke to clarify the unity of your mind, body and technique. Train with us and this unique and world-renowned instructor in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Onigaishimas!


http://www.aikido-sanleandro.com/documents/ASL_HitohiroBrochure.pdf

2) On Saturday 6/20/09 at 2pm Sensei will be teaching an introductory class for middle school students~young adults at the Yellow Springs Public Library. All YSA students,family members and friends are invited.
3) Mike Zarecky will be taking his shodan exam in the week of June 22nd~26th. Please give him the gift of your ukemi as much as possible before and after classes.


May 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Interim Announcements
 
The dojo will be closed on Monday 5/25/09 in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.
 
Saturday June 20 at 2pm Yellow Springs Aikido (YSA) will be doing a small class in the Yellow Springs branch of the Greene County Public Library. More details to follow but all YSA members and their friends and family are invited. 
 
The annual Dojo Cleaning (misogi=purification) will be on Sunday 5/31/09 from 11:15 to about 3pm.
All are invited to the training from 10am~11am.
 
Misogi--cleaning
Please bring cleaning materials you have and can spare to use up a bit.
If you have a ladder high enough for one of the taller of us standing on top to reach the ceiling fans please bring it.
I'm buying a 10 foot high step ladder but it never hurts to have more than one.
 
Tabemas to nomimas---eating and drinking
There is a flier in the dojo to sign up for what you'll bring for the simultaneous cookout and cleaning. You don't have to sign up to come or bring things. :-)    We can use disposable plates, cutlery, cups, napkins and ice.   I'll bring coolers and am buying a grill to cook on and briquettes and starter fluid.    I'll be grilling vegetarian fare but will gladly put what you bring on the ''barby''-- as my Aussie friends say.   Ed Honore is bringing his mother's New Orleans Gumbo. This is not to be missed folks. I will try it despite my Scandinavian palate sensitivity.
 
Train with joy!

Concepts:
Kihon + 2 second pauses throughout=mindful training
Ki no nagare + 2 second pauses before and after each technique=mindful training

Taijutsu:
basic technichue progression from ryote dori

Weapons:
9th and 10th Kumi jo
5th ken tai jo
5th kumi tachi
hiji osae (pin) from these knife attacks:
tsuki, shomen, yokomen, slash, knife held at throat; and between the shoulder blades

Announcements:
1) Mike Zarecky will coordinate the annual dojo cleanup and new for this year barbeque. It will probably be the on Memorial Day weekend. More news to follow.

2) HITOHIRO SAITO SOKE JUNE 4-7, 2009
Aikido of San Leandro is pleased and honored to host a four-day seminar featuring Hitohiro Saito Soke on June 4–7, 2009. Join us and Hitohiro Soke to clarify the unity of your mind, body and technique. Train with us and this unique and world-renowned instructor in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Onigaishimas!

http://www.aikido-sanleandro.com/documents/ASL_HitohiroBrochure.pdf

3) Mike Zarecky will be taking his shodan exam in the week of June 22nd~26th. Please give him the gift of your ukemi as much as possible before and after classes.

April 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:

1) practice each technique slowly.

2) notice when you've taken your partner's balance.

3) move so your partner can hang on or keep their attack in contact with you as long as possible.


Taijutsu:

basic technichue progression from yokomenuchi

Weapons:

6th,7th, 8th & 9th Kumi jo
4th ken tai jo
3rd & 4th kumi tachi
kokyu ho (pin) from these knife attacks:

tsuki, shomen, yokomen, slash, knife held at throat; and between the shoulder blades

Announcements:

HITOHIRO SAITO SOKE JUNE 4-7, 2009
Aikido of San Leandro is pleased and honored to host a four-day seminar featuring Hitohiro Saito Soke on June 4–7, 2009. Join us and Hitohiro Soke to clarify the unity of your mind, body and technique. Train with us and this unique and world-renowned instructor in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Onigaishimas!

http://www.aikido-sanleandro.com/documents/ASL_HitohiroBrochure.pdf

March 2009 Dojo Curriculum



Concepts:

1) seeing similarities in techniques across attacks
2) more focus on foot movement than hand movement


Taijutsu:

ushiro kubi shime

Weapons:

10 Kumi jo
7 ken tai jo
6 kumi tachi
all tanto dori from
tsuki, shomen, yokomen, slash, knife held at throat; at the back and
kubishime


Announcements:

Dear Teachers and Students of Aikido,
We're pleased to announce a seminar April 25 & 26, 2009 with
Patricia Hendricks Sensei, 6th dan, of the Aikido of San Leandro
Dojo. This is a celebration of Tai Sai, the 40th anniversary of
Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei's passing.

Saturday and Sunday will be a mix of weapons and taijutsu. We
will have a cash bar reception at the Sea Pearl Lounge in Fairfax
on Saturday evening.

Save the date! Please see the attached flier for details.
Respectfully,
John Nguyen Sensei
Aikido of Fairfax
571-213-5604

http://www.aikido-of-fairfax.com
 

February 2009 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:
progressions

Taijutsu:

ushiro ryo kata dori

Weapons:

shodan weapons
10 Kumi jo
7 ken tai jo
6 kumi tachi

all tanto dori from
tsuki, shomen, yokomen, slash, knife held at throat; at the back and
kubishime

Announcements:
1) Just a reminder about the February 21 & 22, 2009 California Aikido Association (CAA) semi-annual meetings and trainings. The Division I training & meeting happens at Pat Sensei's dojo on Saturday 2/21/09. On Sunday 2/22/09 Divisions I, II & III train and meet together at Aikido of San Jose.

2) Mike Sensei will have coverage for the classes occuring on Friday 2/20/09 & 2/23/09.


January 2009 Dojo Curriculum


Concepts:

I-N-S-I-K-K-K-K-K-J

Taijutsu:

ushiro eri dori

Weapons:

Kumi jo variations alternating striking with throwing techniques

Announcements:

1) Mike Sensei will be going to Kayla Feder Sensei's Oberlin College seminar on Saturday 1/24/09. The cost for the day will be $60. For more info follow this link or ask at class.
http://clevelandaikikai.com/EventbrCalendar/tabid/725/Default.aspx


2) Just a reminder about the February 21 & 22, 2009 California Aikido Association (CAA) semi-annual meetings and trainings. The Division I training & meeting happens at Pat Sensei's dojo on Saturday 1/21/09. On Sunday 1/22/09 Divisions I, II & III train and meet together at Aikido of San Jose. If you're considering going with sensei this time it's least expensive to order tickets along with me within the next 2 weeks.

December 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:

Kokyu movements everywhere all the time throughout the shodan test prep format.

Taijutsu:

Tachi, Jo and Tanto Dori

Weapons:

H. Saito Sensei's 13 Jo Awase

Announcements:

The dojo will be closed Thursday & Friday 12/25 & 26.

Lets talk after class about the possibility of celebrating New Years Eve together at the ''Saya'' restaurant in Fairborn. NY's eve will be on a Wednesday this year. So, we could make reservations for a half hour after class.

November 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:

Hanmi everywhere all the time

Taijutsu:

Second and fourth kyu test prep format

Weapons:

bokken awases; 31 kata; 1st 10 jo suburi; 1st 5 kumitachi; 31 kumijo & beginning tanken dori

Announcements:

I will be in Florida with family starting on Monday 11/17/08 and will return to Wednesday morning class

on 11/26/08. All classes will be covered.

I'm shooting for testing Megan & Shawn Thomas at the end of November or early December.

The dojo will be closed on Thursday 11/27/08 and Friday 11/28/08 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

October 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:

"Stealing the technique"....a.k.a. imitating Sensei's hanmi, foot work, hip turns and specific focus in each technique.

Taijutsu:

Individualized test prep format

Weapons:

Focusing on parts of your forthcoming test you have the hardest time with.

Announcements:

A special thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Gottfried Kloimwieder's shodan exam. He did an excellent demonstration and passed with flying colors. We'll be going to the Fairborn restaurant Saya after class either this Friday or the next for the official celbratory party. More news to follow.....

I'm shooting for testing folks at the end of October or November.

Eligible examinees are:

Derek,1st kyu;

Megan,2nd kyu;

Kirk,3rd kyu and

Shawn Thomas,4th kyu.

September 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

full hip turns

Taijutsu:

Shodan test prep format

Weapons:

5 variations for each part

Announcements:

We're shooting for Gottfried's shodan exam to happen in the last week of September. So please come to class as often as you can to support his work toward this long held goal.

August 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concepts:

I. Clear differentiation between omote and ura.

Keeping the details from the kihon forms as you demo them in ki no nagare while following this partial list of essential principals...

1. solid and balanced hanmi both vertically and horizontally.

2. energy forward and hands within your peripheral vision at all times.

3. more hip turning; leg and up and down movement than upper body strength.

4. keeping your hands in front of your hips as you turn.

5. full completion of each part of a technique before going to the next part.

6. consistant speed and power throughout each technique.

7. consistant demo of zan shin before, during and after each technique.

8. consistant demo of who initiates different parts of techniques.

9. demo of when to be receptive vs. when to be positive as nage and uke tachi.

10. shoulders and spine down, head up, knees spiraling down toward the small toes and hands in kokyu all the time.

Taijutsu:

Shodan test prep format

http://www.aikido-sanleandro.com/documents/Dan%20test%20requirements.pdf

Weapons:

5 jo dori, 5 tachi dori and 5 jo nage

5 kumi-tachi

5 kumi jo

5 ken-tai jo

Tanken dori

Announcements:

1) All students are encouraged to build their hanmi stabilty and mind-body-spirit coordination through doing

25--50 tan ren uchi strikes and 20 fwd and backward rolls before or after class.

July 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

Saito Sensei's Methodology: learning mind-body-spirit coordination through basic forms

Taijutsu:

Shodan test prep format

http://www.aikido-sanleandro.com/documents/Dan test requirements.pdf

Weapons:

5 jo dori, 5 tachi dori and 5 jo nage

5 kumi-tachi

5 kumi jo

5 ken-tai jo

Tanken dori: gokyo, kokyu-ho, kotegaeshi, hiji osae from tsuki, shomen, yokomen, slash, knife at front,

knife at back and kubishime (sankyo only)

Announcements:

1) All students are encouraged to build their hanmi stabilty and mind-body-spirit coordination through doing

25--50 tan ren uchi strikes and 20 fwd and backward rolls before or after class.

2) the dojo will be closed on July 4th in observance of Independance Day!

June 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

changing our key problem movement patterns

hanmi and kokyu awareness building cancels out many problem movement patterns

Taijutsu:

Shodan test requirement sections

Weapons:

all kumi-tachi

all kumi jo

all ken-tai jo

all tnken dori

Announcements:

1) All students are encouraged to build their hanmi stabilty and mind-body-spirit coordination through doing

25--50 tan ren uchi strikes and 20 fwd and backward rolls before or after class.

May 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

good ukemi and 'mainichi no keiko' leads to a quicker understanding of Kaeshi, henka & oyo waza

Taijutsu:

1-2 standard Kaeshi and henka waza from:

a. shomenuchi ikkyo omote

b. kata dori nikkyo ura

c. shomenuchi sankyo omote or ura

d. shomenuchi irimi nage kihon

e. mune tsuki kotegaeshi

f. yokonmen uchi shiho nage

g. katate dori koshi nage (head under)

h. katate dori kaiten nage (uchi or soto mawari)

Weapons:

Kumi tachi, Kumi jo & Ken tai Jo 1-2 standard variations (aka 'henka')

Announcements:

1) All students are encouraged to build their hanmi stabilty and mind-body-spirit coordination through doing

25--50 tan ren uchi strikes before or after class.

April 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

developing your 'routines'; memorizing chunks and chaining of the requirements for your next test

Taijutsu:

I. ushiro hanmi handachi;

II. shomenuchi irimi nage basic 5;

III. Kata dori menuchi irimi nage basic 5;

IV.  koshi nage head under vs. hips under for:

a) morote dori hi-to-lo & lo-to-hi; 

b) shomen uchi and tsuki kihon & ki no nagare;

c) kata dori menuchi; and 

d) ushiro ryote dori & kubishime.

Weapons:

Kumi tachi, kumi jo & ken tai jo--part to whole

Announcements:

1) All students are encouraged to build their hanmi stabilty and mind-body-spirit coordination through doing

25--50 tan ren uchi strikes before or after class.

2) Please consider attending the Y. Yamada Shihan seminar at Aikido of Cincinnati April 4--6, 2008. For more details go to this site  <http://www.aikidocincy.com/seminars/yamada_2008/>.

3) Please consider going to Pat Hendricks Sensei's Tai Sai O'Sensei memorial seminar 4/25--27/08 at Aikido of Arlington, in Virginia. Go to this site for more info

 <http://www.aikidoofarlington.com>

 

March 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

blending with more than one person at a time

Taijutsu:

Ni and San nin gakki into jiyu waza

Weapons:

Ken Tai Jo 

Announcements:

1) All students are encouraged to build their hanmi stabilty and mind-body-spirit coordination through doing

25--50 tan ren uchi strikes before or after class.

2) Please consider attending the Y. Yamada Shihan seminar at Aikido of Cincinnati April 4--6, 2008. For more details go to this site  <http://www.aikidocincy.com/seminars/yamada_2008/>.

3) Please consider going to Pat Hendricks Sensei's Tai Sai O'Sensei memorial seminar 4/25--27/08 at Aikido of Arlington, in Virginia. Click here for more details.

February 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

transitioning from te katana into a kokyu grip

Taijutsu:

Ryo kata dori progression

Weapons:

transitioning from the 20 Jo Suburi & the 5 count jo kata into the 10 kumi jo

Announcements:

1) Between 2/22 and 2/26/08 Sensei will be in Northern California for the semi-annual CAA trainings and meetings.

2) Instructor coverage for the Friday 2/22 and Monday 2/25/08 classes will be arranged.

January 2008 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

Finding Kokyu movements in each technique

Taijutsu:

Yokomenuchi Progression

Weapons:

Bokken Suburi into the 6 kumi tachi

Announcements:

1) The 2008 YSA 'Kagami Biraki' party will be on Friday 1/11/07 from 7:30pm---?? 

at the Sima Japanese & Korean Restaurant 1771 Woodman Drive in Kettering, OH 

258-7040. Please bring your family or friends.

Directions: http://www.koreanrestaurant.biz/oh/kettering/view/1625

From the Dayton-Yellow Springs Road/I-675 interchange:

a. take I-675 south

b. take exit 11 to 35 West

c. take the Woodman road exit

d. turn left at the top of the exit ramp

e. Sima is between Tama Martial Arts and Research blvd.

2) Testing after Sempai recommendations and beginner's class testing will happen next on Friday 3/21/08 between 6pm and 8pm.

December '07 Dojo Curriculum

Concept:

kihon progressing to ki-no-nagare

Taijutsu:

Shomenuchi Progression

Weapons:

Jo Suburi into the 10 kumi jo

Announcements:

1) The dojo will be closed both Monday Dec 24th and Monday Dec 31st.

2) The 2008 YSA 'Kagami Biraki' party will be on Friday 1/11/07 from 7:30pm---?? 

at the Sima Japanese & Korean Restaurant 1771 Woodman Drive in Kettering, OH 

258-7040. Please bring your family or friends.

Directions: http://www.koreanrestaurant.biz/oh/kettering/view/1625

From the Dayton-Yellow Springs Road/I-675 interchange:

a. take I-675 south

b. take exit 11 to 35 West

c. take the Woodman road exit

d. turn left at the top of the exit ramp

e. Sima is between Tama Martial Arts and Research blvd.

3) Pre-testing after Sempai recommendations and beginner's class testing will happen on Friday 12/21/07 between 6pm and 8pm.

November 2007 Dojo Curriculum

Concept: Osae waza and suburi as basis for all Aikido

Taijutsu: Kata Dori

Weapons: Bokken and jo suburi into awase's and 31 kata

Announcements: 1) Testing available in last week of December. Get with your sempai to prepare and when they think you're

ready they'll get with sensei.

2) All dojo library withdrawls go through Sensei and must be returned within 2 weeks.

October 2007 Dojo Curriculum

Concept Focus:

attacking at speed that your partner offers 

Taijutsu:

Ushiro Ryote dori kihon, ki no nagare, kaeshi waza and henka waza.

 

Weapons:

 a different Kumi Jo each week in kihon, ki no nagare and variations forms.

 

Announcements:

Testing for promotions will be available during the last week of December.

 

A) Adult students (beyond 6th kyu and over 13 y/o) with enough training days should ask a senior student to work with them to prepare for a 'dress rehearsal' around the middle of any month for Sensei.

1. students in the beginners class may ask sensei to test for 6th kyu during the beginners' class on Friday evenings when they feel ready.

 

B) Young people (orange belt or higher and under 13 y/o) will be asked by Sensei to test when they have enough training days and have demonstrated they know the material for their next test. 

 

C) Young people will be automatically yet ceremoniously promoted to purple or yellow, 2nd yellow and orange belt by Sensei soon after they reach the number of training days required.

September 2007 Dojo Curriculum

Concept Focus:

learning through progressions.

Taijutsu:

Ryote dori kihon, ki no nagare, kaeshi waza and henka waza.

Weapons:

 a different Kumi Tachi each week in through kihon, ki no nagare and variations forms.

Announcements:

Testing for promotions will be available during the last week of September.

A) Adult students (beyond 6th kyu and over 13 y/o) with enough training days should ask a senior student to work with them to prepare for a 'dress rehearsal' around the middle of the month for Sensei.

1. students in the beginners class may ask sensei to test for 6th kyu during the beginners' class on Friday evenings when they feel ready.

B) Young people (orange belt or higher and under 13 y/o) will be asked by Sensei to test when they have enough training days and have demonstrated they know the material for their next test. 

C) Young people will be automatically yet ceremoniously promoted to purple or yellow, 2nd yellow and orange belt by Sensei soon after they reach the number of training days required.

August 2007 Dojo Curriculum

Concept Focus:

small group co-training methods

Taijutsu:

**Nidan level basic kaeshi waza for: ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, shiho nage, irimi nage and kotegaeshi,

**Sandan level basic henka waza for ikkyo and nikkyo 

Weapons:

**31 kumi jo 1--31 awase--special focus on:

1) uchitachi's movements 3, 6, 11, 17, 22 & 27;

2) using your 31 kata practice familiarity when doing the 'kata' side, i.e. uke tachi role;

3) uke tachi's movements 15-16, 20-21, 25-26 with no pauses interspersed between all those 2 second pauses;

4) those difficult moves for most uke tachi's: 3, 10, 25-26 & 29;

5) especially hard moves for most uchi tachi's: 1, 3, 5 (positive) to 6 (receptive), 10 (positive) to 11 (receptive); initiating on 13; 17 hand changes; 20 'hyper' hanmi; 22 'very' sideways posture; 24 and 27

**31 kumi jo uchitachi 'kata'

June 18th through July 16th Dojo Curricullum

Concept Focus: attacking ukemi

Taijutsu: kata dori menuchi

Weapons: 31 kumi jo....especially the 2nd half

Announcement:

 During the Monday June 25th class Shawn Webster will take his 1st kyu exam.

 Please come and support him.

May 21 through June 18, 2007 Dojo Curriculum

Concept Focus: keeping a low center of gravity

Taijutsu: Morote Dori

Weapons: kumi tachi and variations

Announcements: Shawn Webster's 1st kyu exam will be

 during the last week of June.

April 16 thru May 20, 2007 Dojo Curricullum

Concept Focus: Two Second pauses during Kihon and Ki no nagare training.

Taijutsu: Hanmi Handachi.

Weapons: The 1st 3 kumi tachi, 2nd 3 kumi jo and 1st 3 ken tai jo and their variations.

Study Guide Suggestion: start your own notebook. Organize it by attack and technique. Do not attempt to describe each 

technique.  Allow a half a page per technique under each attack section of your notebook. Take notes on one aspect of one technique you clearly saw per class. Gradually you will fill up each technique with your own insights. Here is the order by which I practice the basic techniques....ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo, shihonage, irimi nage, kokyu ho, kotegaeshi, kokyu nage, koshi nage, kaitenage, juji garame, tenshi nage. Here are all the basic attacks as I regularly practice them....shomen uchi, yokomen uchi, mune tsuki, morote dori, katate dori, ryo katate dori, mune dori, ryo kata dori, kata dori menuchi, ushiro ryote dori, ushiro ryo kata dori, ushiro kubishime, ushiro eri dori, suware waza and hanmi handachi.

March 20 thru April 16, 2007 Dojo White Board

Concept Focus: working with opponents' joints

Taijutsu: ushiro ryo kata dori

Weapons: kumi jo variations

February 19th thru March 19, 2007 Dojo White Board

Concept Focus: practical ways of grounding oneself while moving

Taijutsu: ushiro eri dori

Weapons: jo dori and jo nage

January 22nd thru February 11, 2007 Dojo Whiteboard

Concept Focus: expressing kokyu through hand movements

Taijutsu: ushiro kubishime

Weapons: tanken dori

Announcements: do you think a 3 week time period of training focus helps you to learn with more depth ?

January 8, 2007 thru January 21, 2007 Dojo White Board

Concept Focus: positive to receptive balance shifts throughout each technique

Taijutsu: shomen uchi

Weapons: kumi jo

Announcements:

 A) Go with Mike Sensei to the Larry Bieri, Sensei Seminar at Aikido of

Cincinnati on Saturday 1/20/07. We'll leave from the dojo at 8:15am

and return around 10pm.

December 27, 2006 thru January 7, 2007 Dojo White Board

Concept Focus: " slower is faster "

Taijutsu: mune tsuki

Weapons: kumi tachi

Announcements:

 ** Amedetto gozaimas! ( a phrase that is used to say 'happy new year' and 'congratulations' for a variety of settings in Japanese).

 ** The dojo will be closed on Monday January 1, 2007.

 ** Consider going to Aikido of Cincinnati with sensei the weekend of January 20th to attend the Larry Bieri Sensei seminar.

 ** Consider going with sensei to San Leandro, California over the last weekend in February for the California Aikido Association (CAA) semi-annual trainings.    

December 11 thru December 22, 2006 Dojo Whiteboard

Concept Focus: Kihon-->Ki no Nagare-->Advanced variation

Taijutsu: Morote Dori

Weapons: 31 kata Kihon sections into Ki no Nagare sections 

Announcements: the dojo will be closed on Friday December 22nd and Monday December 25th.

November 27 thru December 8, 2006 Dojo Whiteboard

Concepts: a) slow, solid and centered attacks=ukemi and

b) kihon 1st week and ki no nagare the 2nd week.

Taijutsu: yokomenuchi.

Weapons: 13 jo kata & 13 jo awase.

Announcements: a) when at the dojo put your current email address on a 3x5 card for the dojo newsletter

b) the dojo is closed Friday December 22 thru Monday December 25th.

November 11th through November 24th 2006

Dojo White Board

Concept: weight shift

Taijutsu: ushiro ryo kata dorib

Weapons: ken tai jo

Announcements: sempai led informal training only on the day after Thanksgiving,  Friday 11/24/06.

October 30th thru November 10th, 2006

Dojo White Board

Concept: hanmi, shtoimei and vertical + horizontal postural balance

Taijutsu: kata dori menuchi

Weapons: kumi tachi

Announcements: joint trip to Japan options under consideration

October 27th thru 29th, 2006

Hitohiro Saito Sensei will lead another seminar in Reno, Nevada. His visits draw the most comprehensive group of 'Iwama style' practioners in the USA. Saito Sensei clearly has his father's technical and instructional skills and is taking them to the next level as he leads us on the path toward O'Sensei's model. In his last visit there he drew Aikidoists from 11 countries. Vince Salvatore Sensei organizes a very fun seminar venue for this wonderful teacher to shine in. Talk to Mike Sensei about travel and housing accommodations. The earlier you decide to go the more options you have. For more info go to www.renoaikido.org.

October 10th thru 27th, 2006

Dojo White Board

Concept: "Weight Under side"

Taijutsu: Ushiro Ryote Dori 

Weapons: 31 kumi jo parts

Announcements: Kirk Wiegand 4th kyu 10/23/06 and Mike Zarecky 1st kyu 10/25/06 

August 26th and 27th, 2006

The semi-annual California Aikido Association(CAA) trainings and meetings. The Division I group will get together on Saturday at Aikido of San Leandro with Pat Hendricks Sensei, www.aikido-sanleandro.com. All three CAA divisions will train and meet together on Sunday at Aikido West in Redwood City, http://aikido-west.org. Talk to Mike Sensei about travel and housing accommodations. The earlier you decide to go the more options you have. For more info go to the events page at www.ai-ki-do.org.

May 26th thru 28th, 2006

Memorial Day CAA Division I Gasshuku at Sunset Cliffs Aikido. This is the 4th time we've had this wonderful opportunity to come together in an intensive retreat format in this beautiful setting in SanDiego. Attendees will get to practice more aspects of Saito Sensei's repetoire in one weekend than is possible in a year of regular training with their own 'Iwama Style' teacher. Bring your notebooks! This year we have the same lineup of Division I teachers with the addition of two more wonderful instructors: Pat Hendricks, Bernice Tom, Kayla Feder, Vince Salvatore, Louis JumonVille, Stephanie Yap, Mark Larson (Minnesota), Mats Alexanderssen (Sweden) and Michael McVey.  Talk to Mike Sensei about travel and housing accommodations. The earlier you decide to go the more options you have. For more info go to http://sunsetcliffsaikido.com.

April 29th and 30th, 2006

Pat Hendricks Sensei will be at Aikido of Virginia Beach for the annual Virginia Tai Sai Seminar. This will be the 9th consecutive annual seminar held on the anniversary of the passing of Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei. Pat Sensei always draws a diverse group from across Virginia and the east coast. Plus, there are more practioners of 'Iwama style' in Virginia than any other state in the USA outside of California. This adds a particularly comprehensive feel to her seminars there. Talk to Mike Sensei about travel and housing accomodations. The earlier you decide to go the more options you have. For more info go to www.aikido-of-virginia-beach.com.

April 7th and 9th, 2006

Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan will be at Aikido of Cincinnati. Mike Sensei and other YSA's will be making our annual short trek south-west to train with this inspiring master teacher and the diverse group of Aikidoists he draws. For more info go to www.aikidocincy.com.

February 25th and 26th 2006

Mike Sensei and other YSA aikidoka attend the CAA semi annual trainings/meetings at Aikido of San Leandro and Aikido of San Jose.

January 21st and 22nd 2006

Mike Sensei and other YSA aikidoka attend Larry Bieri Sensei's seminar at Aikido of Cincinnati.

December 23rd and 30th 2005

The Dojo will be closed for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. The class schedule will return as usual on both Mondays December 26th and January 2nd.

November 19th and 20th 2005

Mike Sensei will be attending Pat Hendricks Sensei's seminar in Rhode Island at Ocean State Aikido in Kingstown, RI.  Contact Alan Morton Sensei at 401-294-9898 for more info.

 

October 8th and 9th 2005

Mike Sensei will teach a seminar at Noh Shi Martial Arts in East Stroudsburg, PA. The focus will be on "Aikido and It's Applications to Karate". For further information contact Senseis Janet and Bob Molerio at 570-421-3847.

 

September 12, 2005

Mike Sensei's profile is on the Swedish Iwama-Ryu Newsletter at this web site www.iwama-ryu.se/page/186/188/601. Many thanks to his new Swedish friend Mats Alexanderssen Sensei.

 

August 27 & 28 2005

Mike Sensei attended the CAA trainings and meetings. Go to the following web site to see some photos of this

fun trip http://www.stockholm-aikido.nu/sf_web/

December 2004

Optional quarterly kyu tests during the last week of the month. Remember to ask a sempai to be your mentor outside class so they can help you be ready for a 'dress rehearsal' half way through the month.

Promotions!!

Congratulations to Alisha Marker and Missy Walter on excellent 6th kyu tests. A fine foundation for their future progress on 'the path'.

October 2004

Oct. 1--3 H. Saito Sensei Seminar at Aikido of Reno in Nevada, USA. this looks to be a promising event.

September 2004

Optional quarterly kyu tests during the last week of the month. Remember to ask a sempai to be your mentor outside class so they can help you be ready for a 'dress rehearsal' half way through the month.

August 2004

We celebrated Maggie Krabec's return from music camp and her reciept of her nidan certificate from Hombu Dojo with the traditional ceremony. It is a rare thing in the Aikido world for a 17 y/o to earn nidan.I am very proud of Maggies perseverance and excellent Aikido. I did better this time with no 'cheat notes'.  Opinion was mixed on my desert contribution to the party: mochi ice cream and 'Arizona' Green Tea. Maggie's brownies were a hit as usual.

 

August 14th we did a Kids demo at the Enon, Ohio Community building city council chambers. It was a fun demo with many dojo members helping out with moving mats and taking ukemi for kids. Many thanks go to Mike Zarecky and his sister who organized the event. We look forward to next year's Clark County Library summer events for kids.

 

August 21st I took part in the day of celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of Aikido of San Leandro. There were many highlights but the kid's demo stands out the most, 'Kowabunga!!' Many thanks to Maggie Krabec for covering 3 days of classes so well.

July 2004

The dojo celebrated the reciept of 4 new black belt certificates with Paul, Greg, Katie and Carolyn. I attempted to memorize the finer details of the certificates so could 'read' them aloud to each person as I officially conferred them. I've heard Pat Sensei do this so many times I committed most of it to memory...."Sho, Greg Reese, migi mono kon pan aikido, shodan o inka su"...A good time was had by all.

February 2004

We had less snow this year for Pat Sensei's seminar. Everyone pulled together to make this another great training experience. Paul

Clark, Greg Reese & Katie Reese all did fine shodan exams. Maggie Krabec & Carolyn Joseph did great nidan tests. We plan on having

Pat Sensei for the last weekend in April, 'Tai Sai'. Alternating annually with her visit to Virginia for that same weekend.

Her next visit here will be in 2006. Tai Sai is the annual shinto celebration and memorial day of O'Sensei's passing in 1969 held

at the Aiki Shrine in Iwama, Japan.

November 2003

Congratulations go to Robbi Weigand (7th kyu), Jason Clark(6th kyu) and Gottfried Kloimweider(2nd kyu) for the hard work they

did in preparing for their tests, as both uke and nage. All three are excellent training partners and busy helping their cohai and

sempai on the path.

October 2003

Clyde Takeguchi Sensei, 6th dan from Capital Aikikai taught a wonderfull seminar at Aikido of Cincinnati. Maggie Krabec, Lee Wilson

and I all went and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Of particular note was how well Takeguchi Sensei brought the concept of

mind-body-spirit coordination to life. Lee Wilson and Richard Treadwell passed their 5th kyu tests. Both are 6:30am keiko

regulars and very helpful ukes for everyone they train with. Thanks guys.

July 2003

H. Matsuoka Sensei Seminar 12 to 4 pm Saturday July 12th near Terre Haute, Indiana. Seminar fee: $50. Contact Mike Sensei

if you're interested in caravanning to this excellent teacher's seminar. Matsuoka Sensei is one of 10th Dan S. Abe Sensei's top

students. Abe Sensei was O'Sensei's calligraphy teacher and one of his closest students.

Paul, Greg, Juan and I had a great time meeting and training with Matsuaka Sensei. He is very humble, patient and powerful.

Howard Sensei and his students were fun and hospitable. We plan to go again next year.

June 2003

Saturday June 21st 10am to 4pm In-house YSA seminar with Susan Monroe, 4th Dan and Paul Francis, 3rd Dan from

Aikido of Cincinnati. Seminar fee $10.

May 2003

I will be one of the Dojo Cho teaching at the CAA Division I Gasshuku at Aikido of Sunset Cliffs in San Diego May 23rd through the 25th. Learn more about this event at

<www.ai-ki-do.org>. Julie and CJ went last October. It was a wonderful seminar, beautiful dojo and wondrous site or should I say beach."

The gasshuku was inspiring and lots of fun. Pranin Sensei's class was fascinating. Larry and Carla Salsa "Shihans" dance class was fun and very easy to learn. We are already looking forward to the 2004 Memorial Weekend CAA Division I gasshuku at Aikido of Sunset Cliffs.

April 2003

"I will be attending the Yamada Sensei seminar at Aikido of Cincinnati the first weekend in April. All interested YSA's are encouraged to go along with me to this promising seminar.

I will be attending either the Aikido of Columbus 20th Anniversary seminar (Mary Heiny & Larry Bieri Sensei's) or the Aikido of Charlottesville seminar with Pat Sensei the last weekend in April. All interested YSA's are encouraged to go along with me to either of these promising seminars or to the Columbus seminar if I don't and you can't go to VA.

Elizabeth Pennell, Scott Lim and the enthusiastic Aikido of Charlottesville membership put on a wonderfull seminar. Elizabeth passed on the leadership of the dojo to Scott with profound humilty. She has given a good 20+ years to the spreading of O'Sensei's art to Virginia. Pat Sensei led us in meditations on surprisingly applicable quotes from The Art of Peace. A moving experience.

March 2003

"I will be attending the Kevin Choate Sensei seminar at Aikido of Central Ohio. Hosted by my old friend Claude Geeroms March 7th--9th. All interested YSA's are encouraged to go along with me to this promising seminar."

February 2003

"On Monday February 3rd I tested 5 YSA folks. All did very well and were promoted with due pomp and circumstance. These great training partners were:

1st kyu-Paul Clark

3rd kyu-Greg Covington

3rd kyu-Kevin Mullhall

5th kyu-Mike Zarecky

6th kyu-Marshall Zarecky"

Class Schedule Announcements:

Friday the 7th Coverage for all classes will be announced as Mike Sensei will be going to Denver for the Hitohiro Saito memorial seminar for his father Morihiro Saito Sensei.

"The Hitohiro Saito Sensei seminar in Denver was amazing! Hitohiro Sensei was inspiring and comprehensive. I was lucky to take ukemi for him twice after a 12 year gap since the last time. Very strong, connected and precisely responsive to my speed and power of attack. I was lucky to get some corrections from both Hitohiro sensei and Stan Pranin. Gaku Homa Sensei's dojo was most welcoming. The food and entertainment were the best. The dojo and the Domo Restaurant were beautiful and amazing in their northern Japanese cuisine and decoration. Stan Pranin's presentation was historical, heartfelt and full of funny stories. The training was rigorous...especially given the altitude. I also got to hang out with many old friends from Iwama Aikido from Texas, Colorado, Oakland, Reno, Florida and Pennsylvania!"

Pat Hendricks Sensei Seminar Saturday & Sunday 2-15 & 16-03:

Friday the 14th and Monday 17th classes canceled for preparation and clean-up.

"The Pat Hendricks Sensei seminar was a great success on several levels if understandably not in numbers attending! It will go down in YSA history as the "Blizzard seminar of ' 03". Most rewarding was that we all got to spend more individual instruction time with Pat Sensei. Scott Lim came from Charlottesville, VA. He brought the exciting news that he will be continuing the tradition of excellent teaching begun by Aikido of Charlottesville founder Elizabeth Pennell when she moves to Oregon. Scott will host Pat Sensei April 26 &27. I'm considering going to support him. Stephan Barton Sensei came with his wife Toni and his uchideshi (Michael & Nathaneal) from Kitchener, Ontario. Fun folks and great training partners all. Bogdan Rumas (Aikido of Warsaw, Poland) came from visiting his mother in Chicago. A big surprise for Pat Sensei as she had not seen him since 1995. Bogdan and his wife Ewa were uchideshi with me in 1991. I had not seen him since then. It was a joy to get to hang out and to train with Bogdan again.

Some of the other highlights of the seminar were: Toby Eshelman testing for Nidan (excellent test Toby!); Pat Sensei making nori rolls and soup from Saito family recipe's learned long ago; Connor having so much fun with the Mullhall family & Dani Reese; the inspiring Saito Sensei & O'Sensei power point Shomen produced by Greg Covington and the excellent jobs done by CJ, Mike Zarecky, Julie and Gottfried! "