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.

Toledo Zen Center Community Weekend Retreat


At long last, we have found a location for our Toledo Zen Center Sangha to hold our first overnight retreat. The retreat will be held at Lourdes College in Regina Hall. There are two possible dates that would work, December 5-6-7 and Dec 12-13-14. Please leave a comment as to which of these dates are possible for you to attend. I expect that check in will be between 5-6pm on friday with a light supper and zendo set up from 6-7. The retreat sessions will start at 7pm. The schedule for the rest of this Zen retreat is in development, but you can expect lots of Zendo time with liturgy, talks and deepening of the our Zen practice. Any Aikidoka is welcome to join in if this is something you are interested in developing.

The fees at Lourdes are more than reasonable. They are asking $10 per person per night for lodging - this includes your own private bedroom. The kitchen will cost us $12 per day, and the conference room that we will use as our Zendo will cost $50 per day. We will be responsible to bring and prepare our own food, and Do'on will be coordinating these efforts. Dana for the TZC is on a sliding scale, with a suggested donation of $50 per day. Scholarships are available for those who may need them. The days are calculated thusly: 1/2 day on Friday and 1/2 day on Sunday plus 1 full day on Saturday.

Please let us know which of these dates may work for you by commenting below and we will get this set up soon.

Bows,

- Jay Rinsen

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Rob from Canada here; both dates work very well for me. Count me in regardless of which it turns out to be.

November 3, 2008 at 11:04 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Saotome

Blog Archive