Aikido World

*This picture is from when S. Toyoda Sensei had previously visited Ikushinkan dojo this year at San Jacinto College in Texas.

In an increasingly divided and tribal world, Aikido is a vehicle for achieving social unity just as it promotes the Aikidoka’s individual unity (connecting the physical, emotional and causal bodies of each person).

The mutually dependent and linked role of Uke and Nage, learning to forcefully commit, open to the other’s energy, and reacting to the technique is a great example of how the physical intimacy or connectedness in Aikido increases our individual sensitivity.

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The following kids’ promotions are from tests held at Aikido Dojo del Norte in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on 11/19/07.

The following adult promotions are from tests held at Ikushinkan dojo in Friendswood, TX on 11/15/07 and 11/20/07 and at Aikido Dojo del Norte in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on 11/19/07.

With the 40th anniversary of Kobayashi Dojos coming up in 2008, I know a lot of aikido students are thinking about attending the celebrations in Japan. It’s going to be the aikido trip of a lifetime, and for many of you also your first Japan trip.
Here are some suggestions for getting in the Japan mood and learning some things you’ll find useful, whether or not you decide to go:

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The Japanese Ambasador in Slovenia and Matjaz Dobravec Sensei [dojo cho of Shodokan Dojo]. His Exelence will now be an Honour Member of Shodokan dojo.

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Pictures from the Croatia Seminar in Split taught by Steve Rehrauer Sensei.

Click here for entire set.

Last weekend, I attended Shinjinkan Dojo’s fall seminar in The Woodlands, Texas. Instruction was split between many different instructors, including Stephen Toyoda Sensei, Michael Black Sensei, and Cesar Aguirre Sensei. The main instruction, however, was given by Manabu Masuda Sensei, guest instructor from Japan!

Learning the same techniques and concepts that we practice regularly from an entirely different perspective was a great learning experience, and incredibly interesting. Masuda Sensei taught us basic jo strikes which we had never practiced before, and his bokken work was phenomenal. There were five dan tests; two nidan, three shodan. My friends Luke Bahar, Michael Nguyen, and myself all tested for shodan, while George Hutchinson and Julie Auman are the new nidans!

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This past weekend’s seminar at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Aikido club.

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