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.

Sunrise Keiko

Hi - I suppose I could have brought this up during a post keiko circle but this will give people more time to think before answering and might lead to a more in depth examination of my proposal.

I've been reading "The Spirit of Aikido" and it dawned on me that perhaps we could try something out that might help with making the dojo more accessible to those with day jobs, families or those living the american dream. I was reading about the Doshu's amazement over class participation at Hombu Dojo. Regardless of the season - snow, freezing weather as well as summer with it's hot conditions practitioners show up regardless of the weather. My focus was on the time frame involved. Obviously the size of our dojo doesn't compare to Hombu but I'd like to throw this out for Shobu community feedback . . .

Would anyone be interested in Aikido classes daily at 6:30 am?

Granted I'm not a morning person (yet) but I would gladly sacrifice a few hours of sleep in order to free up more evenings for my family. There is no doubt in my mind that if I could somehow go to keiko more often without impacting my relationship with my wife and kids that I would. As it stands now going three times a week has at times created serious implications with the relationships in my life. I think an early class would be great and allow for more time on the mat. What do you all think??

-Bob

2 comments:

Chuck Greer said...

Bob,
a few thoughts. It's a worthy idea. I wonder if 6:30 is early enough? an hour keiko, change clothes, driving time, it would be hard to get to work (for me) by 8:00. Are you thinking an open mat situation? Would sensei ask a senior student to be there?

December 20, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Rev. Jay Rinsen Weik said...

All Interested Aikidoka -

I would almost never be able to lead these classes. On one hand, I think that the more training the better. On the other, I think that if people started to just do the morning classes and I was no longer working with them personally it would be a loss. In my experience, there tends to be two outcomes. Either the classes just die out after a month or two, or a "mornings only" group starts to form as a subset with in the dojo community. This happens when people who otherwise wouldn't join the dojo do so because they can only attend the early mornings. Perhaps this seems like a good thing, and possibly would be from a financial point of view, but from a training point of view, if I'm not able to guide these folks directly then I'm not so sure about it.

Another issue may be what happens to the current 10am morning classes? There may be people for whom these work that could not make an earlier time.

Bottom line is that I really don't want to dilute the concentrated quality of the training that is happening now. I'm not saying no, but if enough people want to give this possibility a try we will have to discuss it face to face together first.

- Jay

December 20, 2007 at 10:14 PM

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