Snake River Aikido News

Missoula Seminar April 20-22, 2012

2012-01-30T07:20:00.000-08:00

http://aikidomissoula.com/Seminars/Imamura/Imamura_Seminar_12.html

This is the information on the seminar in Missoula.

Announcing a special seminar with

April 20-22, 2012
hosted by Aikido of Missoula

To preregister, please request a flyer & registration form by calling (406) 549-8387, writing Aikido of Missoula at P.O. Box 8633, Missoula, MT 59807, sending an email request to aom@aikidomissoula.com, or by downloading our application form. To print the form from your computer, you will need to first getAdobe's free Acrobat Reader. It is also possible to register at the door.

Seminar Schedule
Friday, April 20	6:00-6:45 pm 7:00-8:30 pm	Registration Keiko
Saturday, April 21	10:00 am-12 noon 3:00 pm-5:00 pm 7:30 pm -10:30pm	Keiko Keiko Potluck & Party
Sunday, April 22	10:00 am-12 noon 2:30 pm-4:30 pm	Keiko Keiko

Cost: $130.00 with preregistration, $140 at the door for all or part of seminar.

For accommodation, there are a number of lodging options close to the dojo
Transportation and limited housing may be available with dojo members. Please check back soon for more information. To request housing, either preregister or call Roger Harvey at (406) 721-1180 before April 13th, 2012.
If you would like transportation to or from the airport, please call Mark Miller at (406) 544-4523.
See Facility and Location for directions and a map to the dojo.

We look forward to seeing you!

Aikido of Missoula
(406) 549-8387
dojo: 208 E. Main, second floor
email: aom@aikidomissoula.com
mail: P.O. Box 8633, Missoula, MT 59807

Japanese - Natsukashii

2011-02-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

As I was looking more into this word I found this wonderful explanation. It is non-Aikido related but interesting.

http://letsjapan.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/natsukashii/

It's like nostalgia, but describes a feeling more than a thing.

2011-02-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

Here is the info again for the seminar in Jackson that was emailed out. I am planning on attending as many of the sessions as I can, so if someone wants to carpool with me they can. Also, here are some videos if you're interested: http://www.santarosaaikido.com/video.html

Katori Shinto Ryu and Aikido Spring Training @
Jackson Hole Aikikai, Jackson, WY

When March 17-20, 2011
Schedule Thursday 6pm-8:30pm Katori
Fri 10am-12 Aikido 2pm-4:30 Katori
6pm-7:30 Aikido
Sat 12:30pm-3 Katori 3:30-5:30 Aikido
Sun 9:30-11:30 Katori

Costs $15/class or as affordable

Instructors scheduled: Bill Plank, Jay Bell, Eric Zmarzly, France Hoang, possibly Mark Jones, Jeff Hempel

Lodging Several options Wyoming Inn of Jackson rooms around $100. Well reviewed.
Less expensive $70-80/nite Parkway Inn, Pony Express Inn, Elk Country Inn
Some space at dojo for those who need

Address Jackson Hole Aikikai 290 N. Millward Street
Jackson Hole, WY 83001
307- 200-4388
E-mail www.jacksonholeaikido.com

Contact Russ Bodner 815-739-1684, russellb@m-o-i.com
Support the continued efforts between Capital Aikikai and Sugawara Budo.

2010 year-end news

2010-12-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

2010 has been a year of growth for Snake River Aikido. We celebrated the promotion of Michael Cardwell to shodan, the first student to advance to shodan in our dojo. We look forward to Brandon Cole achieving this rank in 2011. The dojo will be on break from Dec. 16 to Jan. 4. Have a great holiday and we hope old students and new will join us for training with renewed spirit in the new year. Thanks to all who have made the second year at the 16th and Curtis location a success!

Year end schedule

2009-12-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

With only a few weeks left till the end of 2009, I just wanted to let everyone know we will have class through Dec. 22, and then resume classes on Jan. 5, 2010. Thanks to everyone who has made the transition to our new space a success (hard to believe it will be a year in January!)

I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and happy 2010.

Frank

Aikido BBQ

2009-09-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

So Brandon, whats the plan, is this still going to happen?

New Class Schedule Starts Sep. 8

2009-08-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

A reminder for current students, and information for new/prospective students: our class schedule will be changing from Monday/Wednesday 7:30-9:00, to Tue/Thu 7:15-8:45. This will allow the Idaho Falls School of Ballet to accomodate additional dance classes, and may help us to attract new students. I'm hoping this will work for all existing students, and appreciate everyone's willingness to give this a try.

Summer Aikido BBQ [Cancelled]

2009-07-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Due to scheduling conflicts the BBQ for this weekend has been either cancelled or postponed. We will revisit it mid-August.

Summer Aikido BBQ

2009-07-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

We are once again having a summer Aikido BBQ!

We will be having it the last weekend of July, so either July 31st or August 1st based on what works best for everyone. As we get closer to the date we can coordinate any food or drinks that people would like. I'll be providing enough burgers and beer brats/hot dogs for everyone along with chips, soda, etc. Spouses and children are welcome. I'll need to get a head count a few days early to get appropriate supplies. There is also a large park next to my house with playground equipment if your interested.

4170 Morning Mist Dr, Idaho Falls, ID 83406
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4170+Morning+Mist+Dr,+Idaho+Falls,+ID+83406&sll=37.579413,-95.712891&sspn=53.265092,79.013672&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=A

Summer Aikido Workshops and Camps

2009-06-19T06:42:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder to everyone that there are several opportunities for advanced training with outstanding senseis this summer. Bill Plank Sensei, godan and dojo cho at Jackson Hole Aikikai (also chief instructor at Capital Aikikai in Washington DC) is scheduled to return for the summer later this month. You can find the dojo training schedule at jacksonholeaikido.com. You'll also find a flyer for the August 22-23 seminar presenting Francis Takahashi Shihan. See the flyer for more details.

Boulder Aikikai is hosting the 29th annual Aikido Summer Camp in the Rockies, to be held in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, from July 19-26. It's too late to register, but Sensei, Mike, and Brandon will be attending (this may be an opening for the first all-women classes at Snake River Aikido!) The instructors this year include Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, head of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, and direct student of O Sensei, Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, dojo cho of Boulder Aikikai, Frank Doran Shihan, dojo cho of Aikido West and Division II head (our division) of the California Aikido Association. Guest instructor is Morihiko Murashige Shihan, dojo cho of Jiai Aikido in San Diego.

Finally, Doran Shihan celebrates his 50th year of Aikido this November! See the following link for more details:
http://aikido-west.org/anniversary/anniversary.html

Women outnumber men for first time at SRA

2009-06-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

It was a memorable class this past Wednesday, as women outnumbered men on the mat for the first time in Idaho Falls! Heather, Angie, Mary, and Alicia trained with Mike and Sensei for this historic class.

Upcoming Seminars and Summer Camps

2009-04-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

The weekend of Apr. 24-26 is busy with two great seminars in the Northwest:

Bob Nadeau Shihan, CAA Division 3 head, will be at 3 Shapes Aikido in Boise - http://www.3shapesaikido.com/index.php?page=home

and Jerry has sent along the information for Doran Shihan's seminar in Seattle that same weekend -http://twocranesaikido.com/html/Seminars/Doran%2709.html

I'm also posting links to the CAA summer camp in June, and Colorado summer camp in July:
http://cityaikido.com/summer09/retreat/index.html

http://www.boulderaikikai.org/content/view/170/1/

Frank

No class March 23 and 25

2009-03-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

The studio at the IF School of Ballet will be closed for spring break this week. Make-up classes are scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 21 (this past Saturday) and Apr. 4. Classes resume Monday, Mar. 30.

Happy New Year/New Dojo!

2009-01-02T15:32:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to all current and prospective students of Snake River Aikido. 2008 was an exciting year for me personally, and for our dojo. I was promoted to 4th dan after giving a comprehensive demonstration at Aikido West in Redwood City (home dojo of Doran Shihan, head of our division in the California Aikido Association). Many thanks to all the students who helped me prepare as I worked through material the past few months, and particularly to Michael Cardwell and Heather Peterson for traveling with me to Aikido West and playing a large role in my demonstration. I received several very nice compliments about their performance, which makes me proud to be their sensei. A special thanks to Cyndy Hayashi sensei as well, who gave me advice, moral support, reviewed my demo during her vacation in Idaho, and recruited uke for my randori the day of my demonstration at Aikido West!

The big news for everyone is that we are moving from EITC after 18 years. We will be renting space/time at the Idaho Falls School of Ballet, 410 W. 16th Street in Idaho Falls. They have a nice link that provides directions (http://www.ifballet.com/web/) You can also learn more about their instructors. Over the holidays I purchased enough foldout mats to cover a 20'x40' section of the main dance studio floor. I encourage anyone interested, and current/former students who might not be ready to train yet, to come and see the new facilities. We'll be conducting classes at the same time they were held at EITC, Mon-Wed 7:30-9pm. We will also have the flexibility of rescheduling classes when I'm gone for work, and also having additional classes. Right now I'm planning a women's self defense class for teenage girls that will be held the last weekend in January, and Cyndy Hayashi sensei has also volunteered to conduct her well-respected self defense workshop as a fundraiser for the dojo sometime later this year.

Speaking of Hayashi sensei, she and her husband have a condo on Ski Hill Road going up to Targhee, and we were very fortunate to have her be the first high-ranked sensei from our organization to visit this past November. Now that she's broken the ice, we hope to have her back during her visits to Idaho in the future, and have also planted the seed hoping to have Doran Shihan visit us (at least to fish the Idaho rivers!) this coming summer.

Thank you all for your continued support and commitment to Aikido. I hope that this move will help us all to train harder and reach new heights in our Aikido training!

Frank

Week of October 20

2008-10-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Students,

Just wanted to let you know that I will be absent both Monday and Wednesday this week due to work travel. I'll be back next Monday, Oct. 27. In the meantime, I'd like you all to work on things that you need to refine - beginners, things like rolls, basic technique; advanced students, techniques appropriate to your rank and next test. Advanced students, it's VERY important that you incorporate any advice you received from Hayashi sensei into your training.

Thanks to all of you - beginners and advanced students - for your enthusiasm and spirit this semester. It has been a great start, and I know those who were able to attend class Wednesday and train with Hayashi sensei are experiencing some new thoughts about your own aikido.

See you next week,
Frank

2008-09-01T13:39:00.001-07:00

Class on Labor Day?

Fall semester at EITC

2008-08-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

Attention all aikido students!
Classes for the fall start Monday, Sep 8 - 2 weeks away. EITC is now serious about having a minimum of 7 students signed up, and ideally before the first night of class (in fact they called to cancel the summer class on the first night since only 1 person had signed up).

Please be sure to sign up as soon as you can so that we can have a class indoor this fall, and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Frank

Neck injury

2008-08-20T17:40:00.001-07:00

Not really serious, but I wont be in tonight. It happened on a very slow, easy roll, just tweaked it a bit.

2008-07-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

hey guys,

I'm not sure who is going to be able to make it to class this week, but i'm up for training if anyone else is, so please let me know if anyone is going to be at class tonight so i'll know to show up.

Mike

Summer Camp

2008-07-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Students,
Just wanted to let you know if you haven't been coming or were absent Monday that I'm leaving for the summer camp in Colorado Sunday, and will be there training all week. Unfortunately, I also have a meeting in Poky tomorrow afternoon, and then a trip to DC when I get back, so won't make it to class till Aug. 6.

If you come to train at EITC (in the grass for those who haven't been there this summer), train safely and productively. I hope to learn new things to share w/you this week!

Frank

Status

2008-07-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

I've wont be able to make it in this week as I'm working on a couple of presentations I have to give @Dixie college in St. George, UT next week and I've also got to get a test data load figured out. I'll should be done so I can make it next Monday, but we may be leaving on Tuesday, so I might not make it next Wed.

2008-06-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hello all......sorry that I have not been in class forever......things got really busy for me and there is no end in sight. Jen and I had our baby on Sunday so it will be a while before I will make it back to class but I fully intend on doing so. It was awesome to have a baby on fathers day! Anyway I did not want you to think I had been taken by aliens or that I had given up on class.

Karl

Next Week

2008-06-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

My wife and son are going on a trip to Washington D.C. next week. I'll probably be bringing my little girl to class, which is ok cuz she loves coming to Aikido.

Enroll for class ASAP!

2008-05-22T05:09:00.000-07:00

Students,
With only 2 students enrolled, I got the dreaded call earlier this week about not meeting the minimum enrollment. Thanks to Heather and Brandon for signing up on time. We need 5 more students, so I'm hoping those of you who've been regular will sign up right away if you intend to train this summer. It would be great if you could do it today, or no later than next Wednesday, May 28.

We will not have class on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and will be out on the grass due to a schedule conflict with the room on Wed, May 28. If the weather's bad, we'll decide what Plan B might be.

Have a great weekend, and entice your friends and family to train w/us this summer!

Thanks,
Frank

My status this week

2008-05-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

Boy do I feel bad writing this after that last post! We're pulling the plug and moving this weekend so we're going to be packing up the house and doing a whole bunch of stuff with that. At least we're gonna get it all done prior to next week so I can get a little more stability in everything. With my wife's birthday on Wednesday, a huge software upgrade that I'm working on, and moving, I wont be able to make it in this week. I've effectively got two evenings to get everything together for the move.

Summer classes

2008-05-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

Dear students,
Attendance was amazingly low this past week for the first week of the summer semester. I'm concerned we won't meet the minimum number of students to conduct class, so please sign up if you haven't already, and come to class! I know Michael was sick, so he is excused.

On another note, Bill Plank confirms that there will be a Katori Shinto Ryu workshop at Jackson Hole Aikikai this weekend, starting tomorrow, May 17 through Monday morning, May 19. It sounds like there won't be many people, so it could be a great opportunity to learn about this classical weapons style.

Classes are 10-12, 1-4:30 Sat/Sun, and Monday 9-12 if you can make it. I will be going tomorrow if you're interested in carpooling.

Frank

absent

2008-04-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys but i'm going to be absent from class tonight, i had to work the nightshift last night and I didn't get enough sleep to feel good about driving into town.

Michael

Still sick

2008-04-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

Sore throat has progressed to bad cold. Sorry to miss again, but will see you next week.
Frank

Sore throat

2008-04-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry to miss class tonight. I spent 12 hours in airports trying to get home from California yesterday, and managed to come down with a very sore throat. I hope it's not the crud that took everybody down a few months ago. Train safely and I hope to see you Wednesday.
Frank

Slackers

2008-03-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

Lacy won't be making it to class tonight, she got hit by accute lazyness. On a side note we had a pretty good class on Wednesday.

Michael

Put in an offer on a new house

2008-03-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Kinda busy lately as we've just gone through 3 hours of paper signing, contract negotiating, numbers running, etc. Won't be in Wednesday either as we've got a lot to do. All this time off is at a good time as my neck is still really not good, but it's getting better. Lots of ice and heat. I appreciate everyone who practiced with the gimp last Wed! Wish me luck...

2008-02-06T12:37:00.001-08:00

Wont be in to class tonight. Had a previous engagement get rescheduled.

Class week of Jan. 28

2008-01-27T12:41:00.000-08:00

Students,

I will be leaving for San Antonio tomorrow morning, and not returning till Friday evening. I'd like Michael to teach Monday, and Brandon Wednesday (or vice versa if they have a preference).

Training in Jackson was great yesterday. Bill Plank sensei covered some interesting perspectives on use of atemi, and also on body and sword position. I'm going to try and attend his class on Friday, Feb. 8th, weather permitting, so if anyone wants to come along, let me know.

See you all Monday evening, Feb. 4.

Frank

Joint class with Jackson Hole Aikikai

2008-01-25T11:33:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,

If you end up needing an aikido fix this weekend, just a reminder that Jackson Hole Aikikai will be having a four hour training session, with Bill Plank, Fred (a sandan from Capital Aikikai) and me teaching 1 hour sessions. Classes start at 10:30 am tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 26) to 12:30, a lunch break, and then classes from 2-4. Plank sensei says you can come late, and just join a class when you get there, so hope to see a few of you there.

Frank

ML King/ID Human Rights holiday

2008-01-20T20:33:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Mike and Karl for bringing up the holiday issue. Campus is closed tomorrow for the holiday, so I'm guessing we won't be able to have class. See you all Wednesday.

Sorry,
Frank

Class Tomorrow

2008-01-20T15:03:00.001-08:00

I was wondering if we are having class tomorrow because it is a EITC holiday?

Karl

Back to Class!!

2008-01-10T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone....I will be coming back to class on Monday! I will have to be a little careful though because my right shoulder and elbow are a bit messed up still. Anyway...I look forward to seeing you all and getting back to Aikido....I have missed it.

Karl

2008 Classes begin

2008-01-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

Students,
Just a reminder that classes begin again next Monday, Jan. 14. If you haven't done so already, you may want to sign up for the semester with EITC.

2007-12-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Wont be in on Wed and this weekend is out. I got my big toe pretty good last night, and while it's not too serious, it'll definitely need to heal.

Frank Roberto featured on NPR this morning

2007-11-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

Couldn't find the link on NPR, but there was an interview with Sensei Frank Roberto on NPR this morning. I was half asleep when I heard it but I seem to remember it being about teaching micro organisms to learn to blend with chimney soot in Yellowstone, or something to that effect. :)

Aikido in Jackson Hole

2007-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Bill Plank sensei has graciously offered use of his new dojo to promote exchange with his students, and add a few more training days each month for both our dojos. Here's the link to Jackson Hole Aikikai: jacksonholeaikido.com
Go to the "where and when" link at the top of the page to get a detailed map showing the dojo location in downtown Jackson, 290 N. Millward. We'll get started at about 10:30, and I'm going to try to be there about 10am. Bring your weapons if you have them, and I'll also bring a few spares.

Frank

Thanks for your flexibility

2007-10-22T17:16:00.001-07:00

Dear students,
After working w/EITC to rearrange things, it appears the dance class that had the overbooking decided that the gym would not work for their class, so we are back to same time, same place (the new schedule was to have taken effect Wednesday).

Thanks again to all who responded for your understanding and flexibility.

Frank

Possible Class Time Change - Important!

2007-10-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

Students,
If you happen to be checking the blog this weekend, EITC has a scheduling conflict, and wanted to know if we'd be willing to move our class to later in the evening (say starting about 8:30 or 8:45). It might be a good idea if this would work w/your schedules to help us build some good karma w/the administration. We would have class till about 10pm in this case.

It works for me, but it also needs to work for you. I need to know by Monday, so will also try to contact those of you I have phone numbers for, and also by email.

Frank

2007-10-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry I was absent on Wed. My daughter, Kylee, had her tonsils and adnoids removed and I wanted to be home with her.

New semester enrollment

2007-09-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who showed up for the new semester last night. We had 6 students,including 2 new students. EITC says we need to have 8-10 enrolled to keep the class open, so please sign up if you haven't already (only 4 as of Monday), and if you're sitting on the fence, come out and train!
Sensei

New Semester is here

2007-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that we need to get people signed up for the class.

On another unrelated note, today was my last day of work for the INL. I am now an employee at ISU. Friday is my first day. I'll be commuting to Pocatello five days a week.

To see what I'll be working on, check out www.isu.edu/erp

2007-08-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Yes, Mike and I were the only ones to show up two Wednesdays ago. I took that as an indication that everyone's busy getting their last vacation in before Labor Day. We held class outside due to EITC once again parking all kinds of stuff in our mat space. We can't really complain because we're not officially in session. Stay loose and in shape, and don't forget to register (and bring your friends, since we're on the hit list again for not enough students). We start again after Labor Day.
Frank

2007-08-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a short vacation. As far as I know from Mike, they've used our space as storage for the interim between semesters. I've not heard anything official yet; we did discuss taking the month of August off, but I'm not sure what the final say was on that.

Class Tonight?

2007-08-13T16:32:00.001-07:00

Hey there everyone.....I was wondering if there was class tonight of it had been decided to take the rest of the month off.....I am assuming if that ws the case it would have been posted but I thought that I would check.

Karl

Aikido Seminar, 28-30 Sept, Missoula Montana

2007-08-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

There is an aikido seminar in Missoula, MT featurin Mitsugi Saotome sensei. It is $100 for part or all of the 3 day seminar. I have already reserved a single room right across the street and am already planning on going. There are lots of double rooms left at the hotel and it's only $20 more to upgrade if someone would like to go too. If you'd like to go but doesn't have enough cash, I can help out some.

Here is the link to the info:
http://www.aikidomissoula.com/Seminars/Saotome/Saotome_Seminar_07.html

Jerry and I went to last years seminar with Ikeda sensei and it was a great time. There's a bit of shopping downtown and since it's a college town, there's some good coffee shops. On Saturday night, they have a big potluck with lots of food and beer, which makes having a room right across from the dojo a very nice thing to have. They also had two masseuses from the college giving free massages that night.

Brando for Wed

2007-08-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

I called and left Sensei a message since I can't post to the blog from work. We had our MS Exchange database die and we finished getting everything back up just past 11pm. Sorry I couldn't be there. What's the plan for Aug?

Monday

2007-07-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'll be there tonight! Did you guys see my last comment to Karl's post?

I will be there!

2007-07-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

Sensei,

I will be there tonight and I hope that there are others as well!

Class tonight

2007-07-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Karl,

I haven't heard back from anyone, obviously. I'll show up tonight and I guess we can gauge interest by who else shows up (maybe that's harsh - gauge availability).

Frank

Class Tonight?

2007-07-25T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if we were going to have class tonight or if we were going to take a break as Sensei suggested we might want to do. I am fine with whatever is best for everyone else in class, I just want to know so that I do not drive 35 miles to class and find out that we are not having it. I hope that everyone is doing well and not working to to hard and overly stressed out! Anyway, let me know!

Karl

Class in August

2007-07-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the updates on status, students. Hope things are not too hectic for you, but they sure have for me. Sorry to have missed class Wednesday. I showed up tonight, but no one else showed, so wonder if we want to take the month off, as EITC would like us to? Let me know. I will be gone Wed, Aug 8.

Brando for Monday

2007-07-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

I will not be in again tonight. If you've read the paper recently, you'll understand why..

Brando status for Wed

2007-07-17T20:20:00.000-07:00

I've got some very pressing issues at work and there is a possibility that I will either be late or not make it at all on Wed. Then again, the stars may align and I'll be off work on time..

Class Tonight

2007-07-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

I am still not feeling well enough to make it to class tonight, but I will be there on Monday no matter what! Brandon, do fifty extra rolls for me!

Karl

Class tonight

2007-07-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

Sensei will be absent tonight, and so will I. Brandon is planning on being there however, so class will still be held.

Mike

Late tonight

2007-07-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but I'm running late, and am still at work. I hope to be at class tonight, but will be late. In case I don't make it, remember that Wednesday is the 4th of July, and we won't have class. Enjoy the celebrations, picnics, and fireworks, and use your ki in daily life!

CLASS NOTES for Monday, 18/Jun/2007

2007-06-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

In attendance:
Brandon

Class time:
7:05 pm - 7:35 pm Jo
7:35 pm - 8:15 pm Warmups w/50 rolls
8:15 pm - 9:00 pm

Since I was alone tonight, I decided to get in some suwari waza practice. I think it's been a while since I had done any extended suwari waza practice. I haven't been practicing it and also haven't been hiting the treadmill lately and I could really tell tonight. Reading the testing requirements also stated that I need to keep a log of training days for any eventual shodan application. I hadn't thought of that.. do Mike and I need to keep a log of our training time? Here's what I went over. (omote/ura, irimi/tenkan)

SUWARI WAZA
shomen uchi - ikkyo through yonkyo
yokomen uchi - ikkyo through yonkyo
kata dori - ikkyo through yonkyo

TACHI WAZA
shomen uchi - ikkyo through yonkyo
yokomen uchi - ikkyo through yonkyo
kata dori - ikkyo through yonkyo
shomen uchi - irimi nage
shomen uchi - kote gaeshi
shomen uchi - kaiten nage
tsuki - irimi nage
tsuki - kote gaeshi
tsuki - kaiten nage
yokomen uchi - irimi nage
yokomen uchi - kote gaeshi
yokomen uchi - kaiten nage

Some interesting videos

2007-06-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

Doran Sensei
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8017562798133224282&q=doran&total=495&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Iaido (sword drawing)
In Japan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8566157551057113966&q=iaido&total=674&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Good demonstration of applied sword drawing.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1487093840029613198

Jerry on Vacation

2007-06-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

FYI, Jerry will not be here the 18th and 20th of June. Maybe if he takes some pictures of him taking ukemi on a white water rapid or something, we can get it posted here...

CLASS NOTES for Wednesday, 13/Jun/2007

2007-06-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

In attendance:
Brandon
Jerry
Zach

Class time:
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm Jerry and Brandon Tai-no-henko practice
7:30 pm - 9:05 pm Main class
9:05 pm - 9:45 pm Jerry and Brandon Kokyu ho practice

Prior to class, Jerry and I worked on tai-no-henko blending exercises to reinforce concepts from Ikeda's seminar and looking at how we use them every day in our class. We also worked in the movement Sensei showed us last week from the Jackson seminar. We worked on the footwork that Sensei showed us for how to lead uke around.

During warmups, we put in extra time with Zach on footwork. I thought it might also be interesting to do the tai-no-henko turn with the jo so we incorporated that too.

After warmups, we went up to the punching bag and worked on shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, and tsuki. We discussed what an "honest" attack is. If doing an attack at 1% speed and power, it will still hit the bag and not go off to the side. We practiced hitting all three strikes on the bag which I'm finding pretty useful. I got the impression that Jerry had never seen how effective a blow a shomenuchi or yokumenuchi can be. I emphasized hand placement when attacking and demonstrated the difference between a tsuki (punch) in karate and boxing, and also generating power from your center/hips.

After that, we went outside for sword strikes. We went over posture and te/ashi sabaki (hand/foot position). We also went over the first few ken suburi.

Techniques:
Gyaku te dori kokyu ho, one variation review

Kata te dori shiho nage omote review
Zach stated that he got to try this one out on his dad after Monday's class to good effect. From my experience, my loved ones stopped letting me show them techniques after the first couple of years. Enjoy it while it lasts.

kata te dori shiho nage ura
Jerry and I did with this great emphasis on efficient and correct footwork. I worked with Zach on just the footwork portion of this technique.

At this point we ended class at 9:05. Jerry and I stayed and worked exlusively on three of the gyaku te dori kokyu ho until around 9:45.

I got a lot of great training from tonight. Thanks Zach and Jerry.

CLASS NOTES for Monday, 11/Jun/2007

2007-06-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

I thought that while Sensei is gone over the next two weeks, we can post some class notes as to keep everyone up to date on what's happening.

In attendance:
Brandon
Shawn
Jerry
Rodger
Zach

Class time: 7:35 pm - 9:05 pm

Footwork:
Practiced normal footwork + ikkyo ura footwork going up and down the mat

Ukemi:
Shawn worked with Zach on rolls and footwork. Thanks Shawn!
Jerry, Rodger, and I did 50 rolls. We incorporated the forward roll to back roll on the last 10. We discussed using one's rolling energy and form when standing up from the roll to make our rolls more efficient.

Techniques:
For all techniques we discussed and placed an emphasis on good posture, breathing, and terminology

Kata te dori kokyu ho #1 (side hand grab breath throw)

Gyaku te dori kokyu ho, one variation (opposite hand grab breath throw)

Kata te dori shiho nage omote (side hand grab four corner throw in front)
Here, we emphasized how to blend by connecting and turning one's center slightly to extend uke and take balance. Proper positioning by staying close when going under uke's arm, and turning the center to get uke's arm around to their spine for the take down.

For next class we will continue gyaku te dori kokyu ho and reviewing shihonage omote. We will also add in shihonage ura.

We also discussed starting class at 7pm for the next three classes only. If enough people read this and show up at 7, I'll be there and we'll start class then.

Some terminology review:
kata - side
gyaku - other or opposite (side)
te - hand
dori - grab

kata te dori = side hand grab
gyaku te dori = opposite (side) hand grab

(Hopefully, I don't confuse anyone with this next bit)
Counting
1 - ichi
2 - ni
3 - san
4 - shi (yon, fyi alternate reading)
5 - go
6 - roku
7 - shichi (nana, fyi alternate reading)
8 - hachi
9 - kyu
10 - ju

Counting up to 100 works this way:
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9..
10 = ju (10)
11 = ju ichi (10 1)
12 = ju ni (10 2)
13 = ju san (10 3)
14 = ju shi (10 4)
...
19 = ju kyu (10 9)
20 = ni ju (2 10)
21 = ni ju ichi (2 10 1)
22 = ni ju ni (2 10 2)
30 = san ju (3 10)
40 = yon ju (note the alternate reading) (4 10)
50 = go ju (5 10)

for one hundred:
100 - hyaku

Now it works exactly the same
152 = hyaku go ju ni (100 5 10 2)

Reminder

2007-06-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Just as a reminder to everybody, there is a seminar coming up this month in Salt lake City on the 22nd through the 24th. Here is the link for the info: http://www.utahaiki.com/calendar.html

Not a lot of details there yet however.

Schedule for June 11/13, 18/20

2007-06-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but it looks like I will need to be absent tomorrow, Monday June 11, and then on the next 3 class sessions as I indicated last week. Please continue to practice the omote/ura (or irimi/tenkan, if you are familiar with those terms) variations for entry into kokyunage, ikkyo, and shihonage. I will be back on the mat June 25.

Sensei

Sensei's schedule for June 4/6

2007-06-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

I'm in town this week. Michael Cardwell and I will try to recall technique highlights from Clyde Takeguchi shihan's workshop held at the new Jackson Hole Aikikai dojo Saturday. It was a very good seminar, and the dojo, while not yet completely finished, already has fabulous mats and is a dedicated facility. We enjoyed the interactions with Bill Plank sensei and his students.

Dojo blog

2007-06-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hello current students, and visitors interested in aikido in Idaho Falls. I'm trying a blog as a means of communicating information on my schedule, and any other information that might be of interest to you. For the time being, I'd like to keep posting limited to dojo members, and have visitors send me an email instead. Let me know what you think of this mode of communication.

Frank