The Basics seminar that was schedule for this Saturday, October 31st has been cancelled due to influenza. We will, however, hold the regular class this saturday from 10 to 11:15am.
Basics Seminar Cancelled
The Basics seminar that was schedule for this Saturday, October 31st has been cancelled due to influenza. We will, however, hold the regular class this saturday from 10 to 11:15am.
dojo membership
This next Wed., 11-04, I am hoping to have two, maybe three, prospective dojo members show up for class. If you know of anyone that you can invite, please keep that in mind. Maybe in the last five minutes we could have a total and complete head shaving ceremony for Phil-san, whaddya say?!? LOL
What a weekend...
Well if you don't know by now, Gleason Sensei, was in town this past weekend. Whenever Sensei makes a trip into town it always seem to leave me, as well as others, incredibly humbled and with a list of a lot of stuff to work on to improve my aikido training. This weekend was no different!!! But this weekend was unlike any other in the fact that I was testing for shodan, and Doug was testing for nidan. As if it wasn't intimidating enough just taking ukemi from Gleason Sensei, I was tasked with testing in front of him. Needless to say I was quite frightened. The test went very well and both Doug and myself passed!!!! I cannot write in words what an honor it is to be the first to test for shodan in front of someone from our direct lineage of aikido instructors.
This accomplishment does not belong to just me though. Our dojo has seen some good times and some bad times... and no matter what we've become a stronger dojo family from them both. This is not a victory for myself alone, but for all of us. I would not have completed the mountainous task laid in front of me on Saturday evening if it were not for all of you giving your blood, sweat, and ki on the mat with me in the months and years leading up to it. Thank you for the honest feedback, the patience, the impromptu morning test reviews, the dedication in this tough time. For that I am truly grateful.
There has been a lot of new ways presented to us at the dojo recently, and testing in front of Gleason Sensei is another one on that list. Despite the nervousness Friday, the absolute fright on Saturday all day, and the relief and soreness on Sunday, we were all still very victorious. Victorious in the sense that we all made one hell of an effort to take up the gauntlet that Gleason Sensei continually laid down for us this weekend. Even Gleason Sensei this was an "advanced seminar." I can promise you that I will continually add depth to my practice and increase my feeling, as long as I continue to have a great uke backing me up and responding honestly. I know all of you will continue to do the same. Thank you all for this, and for the making the dojo what it is.
Philip Behnfeldt