2009 Seminar and Weekly Training Schedule

Here are the seminar dates for 2009, Please note that we are fortunate to host Bill Gleason Sensei twice this year:

Jan 31 Basics
Feb 28-Mar 1 Weapons
Mar 27-29 Gasshuku (Gleason Sensei)
Apr 25 Basics
May 30-31 Weapons
Jun 26-28 Gasshuku
Jul 25 Basics
Aug 29-30 Weapons
Sep 25-27 Gasshuku (Gleason Sensei)
Oct 31 Basics
Nov 28-29 Weapons
Dec 18-20 Gasshuku

Here is the new weekly training schedule for 2009:

Monday
5pm Adult Basics (Krohn Sempai)
6pm Adult Aikido (Krohn Sempai)

Tuesday
11am Adult Aikido (Kline Sempai)
4:45pm Kids Aikido
6pm Adult Weapons (Weik Sensei)
7pm Adult Aikido (Weik Sensei)
8pm Advanced Aikido (Weik Sensei)

Wednesday
3:30pm Kids Aikido
5:45pm Adult Aikido (Weik Sensei)
7:15pm Toledo Zen Center

Thursday
11am Adult Aikido (Kline Sempai)
6pm Adult Weapons (Kline Sempai)
7pm Adult Aikido (Kline Sempai)

Friday
5pm Adult Basics (Mulvaney Sempai)
6pm Adult Ground Techniques (Mulvaney Sempai)

Saturday
10am Adult Aikido (Weik Sensei)

Onegaishimasu

Just five days to Christmas. I did some Christmas shopping today but not before heading to keiko practice this morning at Shobu. It was chilly in the dojo this morning and the body was achy but once we got into the business at hand it is amazing how the body gets the job done.

Today we examined a cousin of ikkyo. The attack that we used included kata tori (lapel grab) and katate tori (single hand) grab. The connection point was an interesting aspect that we needed to move toward (irimi) the attack in order to maintain the proper connection. Seisei made several references to jiu jutsu and grabbing. What we want to maintain in our Aikido practice is connection rather than grabbing uke’s wrist or arm when doing the technic. This requires one to really be sensitive to where you and uke are in order to maintain proper connection. This has to do with the ittai (one point) and that we can create a vortex or an empty space to draw uke into. Connection is the responsibility of nage and uke to maintain.

Connection in life is important and maintaining a healthy connection with the important people in our lives. During this time of the year it is important that there is a spirit of gratitude for the many blessings that are bestowed upon us. The relationship between uke and nage is a relationship where one needs the other. I think that it is interesting that we say onegaishimasu (please do this for me) when we partner up. To me, it signifies a spirit that this person is allowing me use their body for some Aikido technic in order for me to grow in the art and I respond in kind to help them with their growth offering my body and ability. It is a wonderful gift that I receive from my partner in order to grow in the way. I wish all of the people at Shobu, their families and the important people in their lives a happy and safe holiday. See you all in the new year!

Peace to all,

The Maestro

Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday time! Remember "if you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your family." -Ram Dass

My Martial Journey

Happy Holidays All,

We had a very interesting advanced Aikido class last night. Danny and Doug worked with me on ukemi and how to move more efficiently from the center. It got me really thinking what is ukemi and how to receive from the hara. Not an easy thing to do. So much of good ukemi is staying connected and being aware and prepared to fill an opening if one is presented by nage while moving. They were talking to me about having heavy hara on light feet. Again not so easy because of the paradoxical nature of heavy and light in the same body. But I find this to be the case in many Aikido concepts, Heaven and Earth, water and fire mudra, and so on.

And the other aspect that we worked in class were kokyu throws and the importance of getting uke off balance by taking the center. Of course timing is very important but this also develops Kime or spirit. A belief that this particular approach in dealing with this conflict will result in a resolution. Especially with the kokyu technics this is absolutely key to them effecting uke’s center. It was good food for thought.

Peace,

The Maestro

Gasshuku Dec 19-20-21

We will be hosting out last seminar at the dojo for the training year 2008 the weekend of December 19-20-21. We will work closely with the principle of Aikido, and I look forward to the training together.

The schedule is:

Friday 6-8pm
Saturday 10-noon and 3-5pm
Sunday 11-1pm

The fees for those who are not on the inclusive membership are $100 for the weekend or $50 per day.

See you on the mat...

- Jay

Something to do Friday Night

Hey everybody, this Friday night, December 5th there is an art event going on at the Secor Building at 425 Jefferson. It starts at 5pm and goes till midnight. I am performing musically there at 8pm on the 1st floor. There is all sorts of good local art and interesting music. I play a musical style I like to call Tribal Ambient Trance Space Music with keyboards, synths, didgeridoos, drums and whatever other instrument I bring along. Here are the links for the front and back of the flyer.

http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/jerrythegray/?action=view¤t=secorholidaycardNEW55x4frontFLAT.jpg

http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/jerrythegray/?action=view¤t=secorholidaycardNEW55x4backFLAT.jpg

It be great to see some of you there.
Peace and blessings,
Andy

New Years Keiko and Celebration!

There will soon be a sign-up sheet at the dojo for anyone interested in participating in the New Years Keiko this year. It typically goes from 10 to midnight on New Years Eve and is a very nice way to welcome the coming year. Also, it should be noted that Sensei's birthday is on Jan. 1 and this one happens to be the anniversary of his 40th year!