Shobu Aikido of Ohio: 2/1/08

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.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Thanks to Dale-san for bring this to our attention!:
Jewel Heart is recruiting volunteers to help with the many arrangements involved with His Holiness the Dalai Lama's April 19-20 visit and would greatly appreciate any time, talent, and energy you can donate toward this effort for pre-event activities as well as help during that weekend. Please fill out the Volunteer Registration Formlocated on Jewel Heart's website at the link below:http://www.cabrennan.com/cgi-bin/VolunteerForm.pl [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0017nIZjpWUZZvgjGUgCRXKsn7uAhV_tuN1RAfRDbcEuncKL7AnCyVEKUN-Xsbvf9G6kdl_APCZzEn8DCWGKblumPq_KS96dl8ob6IiOjMg01laXMMVc66nM9gkCSQ5kBXfpQpzzpZp6idAEdlJkSzoFw==](If you have already been contacted regarding volunteering for a specific committee or task we ask that you also fill out this official form and make a note of it inthe 'Skills' section) You do not need to be a Jewel Heart member to volunteer.*Free attendance for ushers to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's April Talks If you're willing to stand & work as a general usher all day on either Sat April19th and/or Sun April 20th (including the Wege lecture) you may attend the event that day for free. Attendance at Saturday morning training session is required. Usher volunteers are recruited and trained by University of Michigan staff. Please fill out the Volunteer Registration Form located on the U of M website at the linkbelow:http://sitemaker.umich.edu/dlvolunteering [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0017nIZjpWUZZt0XpqWUL2Ay9xk19LHUxxT5gUYi5XSgd10trAFSzOsN0feLFUGWN7ShMHY5Q_eusW5dPeWKAlLylv9wZczuyBuzyBHn3pSiCFS4akNY2kdnsFxvCvXI4PEJsZezEfT3N8=]Hope to see you! Volunteer Committee Jewel Heart On Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, 2008, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama will visit Ann Arbor where over the course of three sessions in two days he willteach on "Engaging Wisdom and Compassion" at the Crisler Arena of the Universityof Michigan. The teaching is being co-sponsored by Jewel Heart, The Tibet Fund, and the Garrison Institute.The two-day educational program will be held in conjunction with a public talk, the Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability, on environmental issues presented onApril 20th by the University of Michigan at the Crisler Arena in celebration of Earth Day.H. H. the Dalai Lama "Engaging Wisdom and Compassion"Crisler Arena, University of Michigan Campushttp://www.dalailamaannarbor.com/Saturday, April 1910 AM - 12 PM2 PM - 4 PMSunday, April 2010 AM - 12 PM"Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability"Crisler Arena, University of Michigan CampusSunday, April 202 PM - 4 PMTickets available from tickemaster.comor the University of Michigan Ticket Office (734-763-TKTS) - from $15 to $1000Special donor/sponsor seating available by contacting 734-994-3387 or dalailamaannarbor@jewelheart.org [mailto:dalailamaannarbor@jewelheart.org]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~http://www.jewelheart.org/ Jewel Heart 1129 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 734-994-3387

Dojo Child Care Opportunity

The Dojo is looking for someone who is interested in taking on a part time job looking after the kids while the adults practice a few evenings a week. Please email me if you have anyone you know that may be interested in exploring this possibility!

Thanks,

- Jay (jayweik@gmail.com)

Big Snow, No Keiko Today!

All -

Big snows today, so classes are cancelled!

All should be back to normal tomorrow...

- Jay

Perfect, Like Vast Space.

Perfect Like Vast Space
Jay Chikyo Weik presents a talk and leads a discussion at the Toledo Zen Center on December 19, 2007.

"The Way is perfect like vast space / where nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess. / Indeed, it is due to our choosing to accept or reject / that we do not see the true nature of things." -Seng T'san, Faith Mind

"You will never understand Aikido until you can become empty like the vast sky."
- O'Sensei

moving party Roy & Sacha

march 8 12 pm

aikido photos 2008

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roykatalan/sets/72157603962647533/show/

samurai dog armor

Here is a picture of an authentic set of Japanese armor for a dog! The site I got this from said it was likely a daimyo from the feudal era who had the money to pay for armor for his pet, but the website said it is the only certified example of dog armor they have ever seen or heard about!

Michigan Aikido Blog

The club is in its 6th week and doing well. I've created a blog to keep the community updated at www.michiganaikido.blogspot.com. There are also some photos of an early gasshuku at shobu aikido of ohio. arrigato, danny

Zori (authentic Japanese sandals)

Authentic Japanese Zori mens's sandals for sale. 10.5 inches long, never worn. They cost me $36.50, same for you, $28 + 8.50 shipping.

Saito Sensei - Jo Waza Part 1

Aikido weapons classes in Toledo Ohio.

Saito Sensei - Jo Waza Part 2

Aikido instruction in Toledo Ohio.

Saito Sensei Aiki Jo

Raising the level of martial arts in toledo.

Yamaguchi Sensei Video Link

Yamaguchi Sensei was my teacher Bill Gleason Sensei's main teacher while he trained in Japan. Have a look here. Here is clean, beautiful Aikido!

- Jay

New Drinking Gourd Podast Available: Obstacles to Practice (3 of 3)

Jay Chikyo Weik offers a presentation entitled "Obstacles to Practice (part 3 of 3)" given at the Toledo Zen Center on December 2, 2007.

"There are four basic ways that a bodhisattva will guide or help or engage sentient beings to the purpose of helping to relieve suffering. The first one is called Giving, the second one is Kind Speech, the third one is Beneficial Action, and the fourth one is called Identity Action."

Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony will happen on Friday, Feb. 29th at 7:30 P.M. at BGSU. Please go to the Toledo Zen blog for more information.
Thanks.

Owens Japanese Club

We are pleased to welcome the Owens Community College Japanese Club to the dojo on Saturday, March 15th. They will join us for our usual keiko at 10:00 a.m. and we will have lunch after class at the dojo, so please join us for that, too.

Smoke on Water

Deep Purple, a classic rock tune, and ancient Japanese instruments...ICHIBAN!!!
here

Obstacles to Practice (2 of 3)/BodhiDharma Videos

For those who are interested:

1. The next Drinking Gourd podcast dealing with 'Obstacles to Practice' is now available via itunes or at:

www.thedrinkinggourd.org

2. There are several video posts of me dealing with the teachings of Bodhidharma that will be posted over the next week at:

www.toledozen.org

Thanks,

- Jay Sensei

Maumee River Restoration Talk

For anyone who is interested, this talk is going on tomorrow (Thursday) night. It is something that is very timely for the community:

"Great River, Great Lakes: Demonstrating Great Lakes Restoration in the Maumee River Basin," by Margaret O'Dell, Senior Program Officer, The Joyce Foundation, February 7, 2008, 7:00 PM (Open to the Public)

The Joyce Foundation is donating five million dollars to a variety of programs to restore the Maumee River which is a major source of pollution for the great lakes. (And the source of our drinking water)

Directions to the Lake Erie Center can be found here: http://www.utoledo.edu/as/lec/

-Joshua

The Drinking Gourd Water Keepers Initiative

Shobu Aikido of Ohio and the Toledo Zen Center in partnership with the MultiFaith Council of NW Ohio have begun the work of creating a collection program aimed at reducing the quantity of unused pharmaceuticals entering the environment and reducing the amount of drugs available for diversion, theft, or accidental poisoning.

If you would like to have a look at the conversations and progress that have happened to date or join the email group for this project please go to this Google Groups Page.

It is important that as a community of practice we reach out in meaningful ways to help the world around us, please get involved to whatever degree you can. Even if you are nowhere near the Toledo area, your keeping in the loop with the google group is itself helpful. Better still, if this effort works out well, perhaps it could inspire a project in your dojo?

Bows,

- Jay Sensei

hakama info for new 6th kyus

Click on the title above to go to bujin where you can purchase your new hakama. be sure to order the navy-colored classic twill hakama with a regular front panel and the traditional koshi plate. See sizing chart to determine whether you need a small, medium, or large waist. Length measurement is the distance from the top of your obi (belt) to the top of your ankle.

Obstacles to Practice (1 of 3)

Obstacles to Practice (part 1 of 3)
Jay Chikyo Weik offers a presentation entitled, "Obstacles to Practice," given at the Toledo Zen Center on December 2, 2007.

"Today, our mission is to talk a little bit about the things that might get in the way of maintaining a spiritual practice; now that we have a sense of what the practice is, what kind of things arise that actually get in the way and obstruct and hinder us in that effort; and then some solutions. What can we do to help that?"

For more information about the Toledo Zen Center, please visit toledozen.org. The Toledo Zen Center is a member of the Hermitage Heart Sangha, online at hermitageheart.org.

saotome sensei

naoko added this link to the blog and the comment below...

In the very beginning, you will see his kotegaeshi against a tsuki. This is what Jay sensei today (Saturday, February 2) referred to in contrast to Yamaguchi Sensei's. Anyway, we should realize that it depends on the position (low, high, etc. ?) of the attack how we respond to it.

Kyu Testing Highlights

here are some brief highlights from the tests on 1/26/08. the complete dvds are ready and will be at the dojo this week. enjoy.

Sunrise Keiko

All,

I'm pleased to announce that starting February 11th there will be an early morning keiko 3 days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday's from 6:30 - 7:30am. Doug (Taisho) has offered to instruct class and invites all to attend.

This could turn out to be an exciting opportunity to practice more often and also prepare mind and body for the day ahead.

See you on the Mat

Bob

Jay Weik Sensei began to study the martial arts in 1977, and in 1987 began the practice of Aikido with Bill Gleason Sensei at Shobu Aikido of Boston.

In 2001 he moved back to his hometown of Toledo to found Shobu Aikido of Ohio, and in 2005 he began co-leading intensive Shobu Okugyo retreats with Gleason Sensei which focus on Kotodama and Aiki principle.

In 2013 he was awarded the rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) by Gleason Sensei.

Jay appears extensively in Gleason Sensei's 2001 video 'Aikido and Japanese Sword' as well as his 2009 book "Aikido and Words of Power."

Gleason Sensei and Jay Sensei also study Internal Power/Aiki with Dan Harden.

Shobu Aikido of Ohio