There are currently openings for Adult and Children students. Interested candidates are invited to observe a class. The dojo is co-located with the Toledo Zen Center at 6537 Angola Road Holland, OH 43558 jayrinsenweik@gmail.com

Aikido is a non-competitive martial art that can be practiced by almost anyone. Aikido techniques do not rely on physical strength but rather develops relaxed power through the focus of intention and Ki. The result is a creative method of non-destructive conflict resolution.

Aikido is practiced on many levels. The first level is includes the development of stamina, flexibility, and learning how to focus one's intention. The second level is built on the first and stresses self-defense techniques that teach the natural order of movement. In this process the students also become adept at ukemi, the art of rolling, falling and protecting oneself. Aikido provides the opportunity for the development of the entire person. It is a workout of the entire body and mind and results in increased strength, overall physically fitness, flexibility and centeredness.

At the third level students are gradually introduced to the secrets of receiving and harnessing the power of ki, they also develop spatial awareness and learn to judge proper timing and distance. During this training the goal is to establish and maintain an energetic connection to your partner and to lead them off balance. This eliminates the need for more destructive means of resolving situations.

The highest level of aikido is mind over matter. This involves the use of visualization techniques, the power of intention and ki, breath control and meditation. Aikido is truly a spiritual martial art that explores themind - body - spirit connection. This advanced level of training at Shobu Aikido reaches a level not easily found elsewhere. The student learns how to manifest power and effectiveness by the focusing of intention alone. This level depends on and can only be reached through the refinement of technique and the students own deepest feeling. For this reason it alternates between the physical and the spiritual.

In the process of practicing aikido, students inevitably find themselves less stressed and more energetic, better equipped to manage life's many conflicts with calm control. Aikido is great for adults and kids alike because practice encourages respect for self and others, self control, cooperation and responsibility.

Gasshuku or weekend long intensive seminars with William Gleason Sensei are available seasonally.

Children's aikido classes provide a friendly, non-competitive environment for students to become more physically fit, agile, flexible, aware, focused, and relaxed. They learn how to safely fall, roll and perform a variety of self-defense techniques in a supportive, comfortable setting, and parents like Aikido because kids learn how to be powerful without becoming destructive.

Oberlin Seminar


Come out and show your support for Mike and Robert during their shodan test.

Article on Japanese Sword making, and more


I thought this was a good article...enjoy!

also this about Musashi

and this about "togishi" (sword polishers)

World T'ai Chi Day: April 29th

Tomorrow is World Tai Chi and Qi-Gong Day! If anyone is interested in learning more about this internal martial art of the Chinese, the Wolf Creek YMCA appears to be holding a T'ai Chi event at Wildwood Metropark on Central Avenue in Toledo at 10am tomorrow (Tuesday - see link above).

Wish I could skip work to check it out...

Condolences

Condolences go out to Gary Laderach and his family for the loss of his father, "Bill" Laderach, on Monday.

class schedule change


to accommodate more students' schedules, keiko on tuesday and thursday mornings will now be from noon to 1. class will be the regular format.

Morning Keiko


In an attempt to make morning keiko accessible to more students, I suggest we move the tue/thurs morning keiko to a different time. Please let me know if an 11-12 slot (or other suggestions) would benefit anyone. Thanks, Danny

Gasshuku with Gleason Sensei


Last week we had a very successful Gasshuku. Forgive the cliche', but for the few of us who have been training at the Chikyokan Dojo long enough, the experience was "like the good ol' days" as it has been about four years since Gleason Sensei last visited us for a weekend seminar. Sensei was very impressed with the turnout as this was probably the largest Gasshuku we ever had. He was also pleased with the amount of progress that this dojo has made since his last visit. Thanks to everyone who made the extra effort to clean the dojo before his arrival and to everyone who attended the seminar, especially those who made it through the entire weekend. Furthermore, our dojo would like to thank our friends from Canada (www.seikokan.com), Cleveland (http://pages.prodigy.net/clevelandaikikai/), and Columbus (www.aikidoschool.org) for visiting and training with us. And of course, a special thanks to Gleason Sensei for his brilliant teaching and demonstrations. We sincerely hope that he will return to our humble dojo on a regular basis.

Gleason Sensei and Jay Sensei are continuing to conduct the special Okugyo retreats. The next one will be held at Vermont on April 23-27. There is another retreat to be held here at Ohio from July 30 to August 3. For more information, please visit the Shobu Okugyo website at www.shobuokugyo.com.

And for those who still can't get enough of Gleason Sensei, you can purchase his book The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido at our dojo store or his video Aikido and Japanese Sword at http://www.shobu.org/DVD.php

And now here are the photos from that weekend.

After the first class on Friday night, we went out to Sakura, a hibachi-style Japanese restaurant in Toledo.










After a few Guinness and Ichiban beers and some sake served in a pink bottle(?), we decided it was Bob's birthday. And so the restaurant staff came, sang him a song, and gave him a birthday cake. Banzai!!!




Okay, now here are the photos from the mat. I tried to get some good action shots, but it was difficult when you don't have the type of camera that Roy uses. (http://roykatalan.blogspot.com/)

































Saotome

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