News and Notes
Fall Bridge Seminar 2009
29 June 2009
Arizona Aikido is pleased to announce our Fall Bridge Seminar in Prescott, Arizona September 10 - 13, 2009. We begin on Thursday evening and end Sunday at noon. This year's featured instructors are Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 7th dan, from Boulder Aikikai and Mary Heiny Sensei, 6th dan. Additional instructors include Kirk Fowler Sensei, 7th dan, from Arizona Aikido Ki Society; Tsuneji Sakakibara Sensei, 6th dan, from Arizona Aikido; and Judith Robinson Sensei, 5th dan, from Aikido at the Center. The cost for the full camp is $275 and includes dormitory-style housing and meals. You will need to bring bedding, toiletries and a towel (limited bedding and towels are available at a $10 charge). If you want to pay for the seminar online, you may register and pay here. You can download a flyer here.
Special Beginner's Classes at Ro Ho En
13 June 2009
Time Change! Arizona Aikido is conducting beginner's classes at the Japanese Garden (Ro Ho En) on Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on a week-to-week basis. The classes include beginning Aikido plus Aikiken (Aiki sword) movement. Total cost per class is $10.00. No need to preregister; just show up!Even though the Friendship Garden is closed for the season, they are allowing us to continue these classes. Parking is on the east side of the Garden at the Irish Cultural Center [just off Central Avenue north of Roosevelt].
Click here for a map to Ro Ho En, which is located at 1125 N. 3rd Avenue in Phoenix.
Arizona Aikido offers children's classes at the "Awakening Seed School"
9 May 2009
For the month of April, Arizona Aikido was invited to teach the "Art of Peace" to children between the ages of seven and nine years at the Awakening Seed School. Classes focused on empowering children to listen to their bodies, developing a greater choice of response towards conflict and effectively improving communication skills. Children were supported to use their body as a means for self evaluation and self regulation. Classes focused on the exploration of breath, movement and non violent communication, as a means of attaining a centered, relaxed response to conflict. The concept of developing an intimate relationship and attunement with their body was used to further support the idea of future adults gaining greater awareness of themselves, of their emotions and feelings, and even their human spirit. In essence, children had the opportunity to learn that, behind each conflict lies an unmet need. Using empathy, sensitivity and compassion, all conflicts can be resolved in a non violent manner. Thanks go to Moylan Ryan Sensei for providing these classes to the Awakening Seed School!
Change to Tuesday Class Schedule
6 April 2009
We have rearranged the class schedule on Tuesday. We will have beginners' classes (foundation/basic classes) from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be an advanced class (4th kyu and above or permission of the instructor) from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Please note that there is also a beginners' class on Monday night at the same time as the advanced class. Click here or on the Schedule link at the left to see the entire class schedule.
Travelers Return
1 April 2009
Our travelers returned from Japan on March 31 at about 4:00 p.m. and are recovering from the jet lag! We are looking forward to stories and pictures from the trip! Welcome home!
Japan Trip Update!
30 March 2009
Here's the last update from our travelers before they begin the trip home! Everything is great. We have done so much since I last reported. After we left Kyoto, we met up with Sensei in Nagoya along with some of his friends. Sensei had left Kyoto a few days early because he was visiting old friends and relatives. After we met them we went to Nagoya Castle and then off to lunch. After Nagoya, we went to Atami, which is by the ocean, to stay at a hot springs resort. It was amazing. After having a fantastic night we left for Kamakura to see the second largest Buddha in Japan. On the way we were able to visit Mount Fuji and it was beautiful. After seeing the Kamakura Buddha, we went to the Bamboo Forest Temple, which was pretty cool. After that we went to Tokyo, which was the last location where we were staying over night. The day after we got all settled in Tokyo, we went to Yokohama to meet our old friend Hide Yamamoto in China Town. We had lunch and then went site seeing. We left to come back to the hotel to get freshened up because that night we went over to Hide's house for dinner in his home town. It was great. We had dinner and then we came back to the hotel in Tokyo. Yesterday, some of us took a day trip to a part of Tokyo called Ginza which is translated as "Silver Street". It was cool experience. It could be compared to our Scottsdale. Today we went to Nikko, which is famous for the Eiko falls and the grave of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Its was pretty cold. There was some snow on the ground. Oh, before I forget we also went to Hombu Dojo to take a class with Doshu. This trip has been amazing and Yoshi has done a truly fantastic job of arranging it. Thank you, Yoshi!
Update from Our Travelers!
23 March 2009
After we arrived in Osaka we went to the train station and took a train to Kyoto. On the second day Yoshi sent Yon, Amy and me to go look at the shrines and castles that Tom, Wayne and Sensei had already seen on a previous trip. The shrines that we visited were Heian Temple, Rounji Zen Temple, and a Shinto Shrine. We also went to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and Nijo Jo Castle. Later that day we caught up with the other travelers and went to the Kyoto Art Museum and Kyramizu Temple, otherwise known as "clear water temple".On the third day, we all went to the Samurai and Ninja Movie Park. Then we went to Saihonji Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple. After that, we went to a small dojo in downtown Kyoto. It was amazing.
Yesterday, we went to Osaka to see Osaka Castle. After that, we went to a sumo tournament. Afterward, we went out to eat at a famous food district in Osaka and then returned to Kyoto.
I'll send more updates as the trip progresses!
-- Stephen
Kyu Promotions
19 March 2009
Here are the results of the testing conducted in the first half of March 2009. Congratulations to the following people: Adrian - 6th Kyu
Alireza - 6th Kyu
Foruhar - 6th Kyu
Helen - 4th Kyu
Jim - 5th Kyu
John - 3rd Kyu
Justin - 6th Kyu
Paula - 5th Kyu
Qammer - 6th Kyu
Skip - 1st Kyu
Stephen - 3rd Kyu
Zohair - 6th Kyu
We're proud of your progress!
2009 Trip to Japan!
19 March 2009
Our intrepid travelers left for Japan this morning, March 19, 2009 at 4:00 a.m. (Well, the flight was at 6:00 a.m.). They will return on March 31, 2009. They will have an opportunity to see Kyoto (Aikido keiko), Osaka (Sumo), Himeji (tour the castle), Nagoya, Kamakura, Tokyo (Aikido keiko at Hombu), Yokohama, Nikko! It will be an amazing 12 days. We wish them a safe journey and look forward to updates along the way. We also look forward to hearing their experiences upon their return!
Fall Bridge Seminar
1 March 2009
Start planning now to attend the Arizona Aikido Fall Bridge Seminar featuring Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan and Mary Heiny Sensei. This popular camp is always held on the weekend after Labor Day, this year September 10 - 13, 2009. We start on Thursday evening and train through Sunday noon. The cost of the camp, yet to be determined, includes housing and meals. We'll continue using the Aikido Bridge format (thanks Jiai Aikido and Boulder Aikikai!) that we started using last year. Watch this space for updated information!
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