Aikido Kenkyukai Sydney City
       & Bondi Beach - News Articles

Bondi Beach Dojo Isshunen Godogeiko and Enbukai 2004                                          Bondi Beach Dojo Isshunenshiki Participants (L-R, front row: Fiona Hawke, Mike MacGregor, Nev Sagiba, Bruce Lowes, Stephen Seymour, Tasha Sudan, Berin Mackenzie, Chicko Xerri, Stephen Nugent, Clare Engle; 2nd row: Paul McKey, Tony Cox, Geneveive Autret, Vaughn Duncan, Laurie Nash, Monty Gallagher, Oyama Kazuyoshi, Adam Dawkins, Yoshida Hikari; back row: Abe Rina, Helde, Trina Cleary, George Kamencak, Stephen Rodwell, Clinton Manukau, Paddy Flynn, Rodney Bereshezckiy, Gustavo Alvarez and Dave Williams) It was around 1am on a warm spring evening, mid-May, in Kamakura. We had said good-bye to our friends after a fantastic keiko at Higashi Totsuka and naorai at Mugi House in Ofuna, and three of us - Jean-Rene, Lia and I - dropped into this underground izakaya called Wara Wara for 'one quick one'. What seemed like only moments later, we heard the familiar call of 'raasto ooda' (last order), signalling it was now 5am, broad daylight outside and time to leave! We'd had one of those nights only possible in Japan where something else, something so magical and almost palpable, comes into play and carries you away (astray?). We stood there, swaying a little in the breeze, the sake in our a bellies lending us rhythm, and making us smile uncontrollably as we stared at the brilliant pink and purple haze of the azaleas in bloom on Wakamiya Oji, the main boulevarde of Kamakura. I'd had zero sleep and had next to no chance of being sober in 3 hours time when I was due at work (not to mention the scorching hangover that awaited me mid-afternoon, just in time for evening keiko!) but I felt great! There was such an energy in the air that morning that I couldn't help but stay out in the street and chat to Jean-Rene for another hour. On rare occasions in Japan, senpai will turn to you out of the blue and drop a piece of gold in your lap, a tiny hint or glimpse of something you can't see or feel yet, and if you catch it, it can set in motion a vibration that changes your Way forever. I will always be grateful for that morning and for that little push... A short time later, I packed up my futon and moved back to Australia. Within my first week back, I found myself by chance on Bondi Beach, walked into the Pavilion, and moments later emerged with a receipt for our first month's rent. Now twelve months on and looking back to our opening night (the first day of Spring), it's amazing to see how the group, and the space itself, have developed and grown. The dojo has been blessed by an extraordinary group of warm-hearted and open students who have walked through its doors over the past year, especially Genevieve and Peter, whose dedication and commitment is a gift far beyond anything I could have hoped for. It has been an eventful first year that has seen an unprecedented rate of exchange between our local dojo, and between Australia and Japan, as well as the USA. Just before I moved to Japan, another one of my favourite senpai and a dear friend, Daiyu Sensei of AKI Tatebayashi Dojo, told me it was an exciting time to be coming. He said he felt a new wind was gathering that would bring with it amazing things and a fresh new energy to the world of Aiki. His words had a distinct resonance with me at the time but even then I had no idea just how right he would be! That wind has delivered and now, more than ever, AKI is enjoying such a strong sense of connectedness and family that surmounts any and all distance between us. After being a part of AKI Australia for nearly 10 years and drawing so much from the tireless efforts of its founders and leaders, it was a real honour to be able to give something back through hosting the godogeiko and enbukai. I thoroughly enjoyed the keiko and it was an honour (yes, another one!) to have Chicko Xerri and Stephen Seymour lead classes in the space they had each had a hand in creating. The enbu were fantastic with everyone offering something unique and beautiful to the group, especially Big Mike and crew. It felt like watching a storm build as the shidosha enbu progressed, the intensity increasing as the line of extension between uke and nage - the nobinosen - became ever sharper and apparent. What shone through most though at the end of the day was the warmth and freedom with which we as a group, as Aikido Kenkyukai International, practice. Takeda Sensei's vision, illustrated so beautifully through his choice of kanji on the kakejiku - simply 'Aiki' (harmony) with the 'do' (the Way) unwritten and left for each one of us to find for ourselves - is a truly magical gift. I'm not sure who else closed their eyes as Tash and the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the kyotaku brought us full circle to close but if only you could articulate that feeling to people when they ask, "What is Aikido?"!!! It was pure magicE I will always be grateful to my mother, Gail Mackenzie, for opening the door to the Way, and to my teacher, Takeda Yoshinobu Sensei, for illuminating the path so brightly and for instilling in me the joy and magic of Aiki. I thank Tash for her generous support, patience and encouragement, and my students for theirs as I learn how to be a teacher. And I thank all of you for making the AKI Bondi Beach Dojo isshunenshiki (first anniversary celebration) such a wonderful success. Here's to that wind continuing to blow and bringing us many more opportunities like this! Kokoro kara kansha shite orimasu - thank you from the bottom of my heart.     - Berin Mackenzie Messages from overseas AKI Japan Dear Berin, Greatest congratulations and heartiest thanks for your enthusiastical Aiki-journey at Bondi. I always feel that human activity is something like a gathering and expanding spiral energy as below: * Gathering is collecting invisible materials of the universe through dreaming, * Expanding is sharing of your innovation or creation to others,    while, fermentation continues between them. Through above movements, we are drawing a picture of various colors and styles on our life-canvas such as: clear, pure, bright, hopeful, emotional, powerful, dynamic, senseful, warm, helpful, etc., or the reversal pictures depending on our will. And those pictures exactly influence other people's mind as a resonance. I am very grateful for your joyful journey and 1st anniversary with above ideas, which is gathering such a many people from many places. Regards, Y.Takeda     - Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, AKI Honbu Dojo Dear Berin, Congratulations on your first anniversary!! I hope your dojo will be a great dojo and make great aikidoka for next generation. I am looking forward to seeing you in November. Best regards, Uncle Yass     - Suzuki Yasuyuki Sensei, founder of AKI in Australia Congratulations for Bondi Beach 1 year anniversary! The location of the dojo was just excellent and amazed me when I first visited your dojo. Keeping dojo going is not as easy as it sounds so having pass one year is wonderful. Hope Japan and Australia get involved more [spur each other on] and evolve our friendship through Aikido for the future. I will come to finish my bottle [of whiskey] in Berin's house soon! Congratulations.     - Hiroshi Yamamoto, Kanazawa Hakkei Dojo AKI Canada To Berin Sensei and members of Bondi Beach Dojo, It is with delight that I take a few moments to write about a friend whom I first met only a few years ago. It did not take me long to realize that Berin was not only an outstanding student on the mat but that he also practiced Aikido in his daily life. His enthusiasm in promoting the Art and in sharing its principles demonstrate the depth of his dedication and understanding. One year may not seem like a long time but 12 months of existence marks an important threshold for a dojo. The life of a student doesn't necessarily prepare one to become a teacher. A lot of new skills must be acquired and instructing Aikido is a long and arduous path in which one never ceases to reflect on the deeper meaning of the Art. Just a few months ago, Berin was in Santa Barbara co-teaching a seminar with Lia and me. It was the first time for me to see Berin instructing at a seminar. By the end of the weekend, I was totally inspired and elevated by his clear approach and the ease and comfort with which he can move himself and his partners. My intent in writing these few words is not to flatter him but to emphasize an important aspect Berin has shown all along and that is the love for the Art and the clear dedication in his practice. Congratulations from all the members of AKI Canada.     - Jean-Rene Leduc, Kootenay AKI Dear Berin Sensei, "The Art of Peace is a celebration of the bonding of heaven, earth, and humankind. It is all that is true, good, and beautiful."                                                        - O Sensei Rich and I want to offer our congratulations for the first anniversary of your dojo. All the best to you and your students at the Bondi Beach Dojo. May the next year bring continued growth on the path of peace. Love, Marilyn and Rich     - Marilyn and Rich Claxton, Kootenay AKI Participants' impressions It was a beautiful spring day, storms and sunshine, for the Bondi enbukai, and it was a beautiful setting in which to play the kyotaku; I felt like I could smell the sea when I breathed through the bamboo. The kyotaku opened the enbukai and closed it, and it reminded me of what Uncle Yasu had told me once about training at Hachimangu in Kamakura - at the beginning of class, when everyone makes two claps and bows, the sound is scattered and out of time, but at the end of class, the sound is all in unison. At the beginning of the enbukai, the kyotaku song felt shakey and separate, but at the end, it was in unison with everyone; we were all listening, playing, being played together. It was wonderful to see so many different Aikidoka all together, and reminded me very much of the enbukai at Hachimangu. The day at Bondi captured that same feeling of togetherness and joy in the training, and the same feeling of respect for everyone's different and unique expressions of the Art. I was very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of that feeling, and I am particularly grateful to Berin for bringing back so much of what he and I and the members of our group fortunate enough to train in Japan experienced under Sensei's guidance. The day demonstrated to us that Berin is a teacher of all aspects of the Art, helping us to train in custom and etiquette just as much as in the form and spirit of Aikido. It's a joy to see Sensei's teaching so beautifully, and uniquely, emulated in Bondi.     - Tasha Sudan AKI Bondi Beach The first anniversary of our dojo, AKI Bondi Beach, was just great. Berin's genuineness, his ability to show vulnerability as well as his warrior qualities created a refreshing atmosphere. He beautifully demonstrated that a martial artist does not need to hide his sensitivity. Tasha's exquisite piece of flute playing clearly enhanced the particular quality of our instructor's style of teaching, his art of weaving playfulness into teaching effective moves, expanded lines of direction and staying with center. Having three instructors true to their style and personality made the day a very enriching experience. Chicko's teachings embodied the principle of 'being there', right in the center of the action; small moves, big effect - he was awesome. Steve's sharpness and precision, especially in the last demo was truly impressive and, I must add, it blew away any doubts someone in the audience had about the effectiveness of Aikido techniques. So, until next event, happy birthday to us and happy Aikido to everyone.     - Genevieve Autret AKI Balmain The first anniversary keiko of Bondi Beach dojo was an opportunity for friends, both old and new, to meet and practice together. Without these organised activities we dont get together enough. The training and enbukai was most enjoyable and took place in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and understanding. It was also a rare chance to celebrate the strength of character and immense effort of Berin. To achieve 1 year with carrying mats, laying them and retieving them and constantly dealing with tight schedules for the hall hire and then ongoing turnover of students takes great tenacity and resilience. I commend and congratulate Berin on his success and look forward to the second anniversary.     - Stephen Seymour Enbukai was a very good event to share our daily training with others. All instructors have lots to give! I don't get to see all instructors skills and it is good to see many people has so much influence from each seminar with Yass-sensei and Lia sensei. This kind of event should improve all dojo and encourage teachers and students. And spring is the best time to do an intensive training! Thank you for organising this.     - Rina Abe AKI Orange It was an honour for Orange Aikido to be part of the Isshunen Aikido Enbutaikai held at Bondi Beach Dojo on 19 September 2004. Orange Dojo has been in existence only a little longer than Bondi Dojo and has benefited from the support and friendship of Bondi's chief instructor, Berin Mackenzie. Berin spent three years in Japan furthering his understanding of the Art and has brought back an energy and enthusiasm that is helping to grow Aikido Kenkyukai in Australia. Everyone brings something unique to Aikido and one of Berin's gifts is his openness and natural warmth; qualities that people are drawn to. Berin's obvious love of Aikido and his experience training intensively in Japan, are strengthening our ties with Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan and bringing an added dimension to Aikido in Australia. The opportunity to be part of Bondi Beach Dojo's first anniversary celebrations was eagerly grasped by instructors and students of Orange Dojo, and proved to an extremely valuable experience. The three training sessions led by Berin, Chicko Xerri and Stephen Seymour provided great input and were unified by the theme of working along the line. Letting the energy flow, allowing full expression of the direction and intent of uke's attack, and working at not disturbing the line, are principles being explored at Orange Dojo following the Bondi Beach experience. The enbutaikai was a first for many participants and an excellent way to connect with the traditions and etiquette of Aikido in Japan, and to formally acknowledge the first year of Aikido at Bondi Beach Dojo. Tasha Sudan's playing of the kyotaku to start and finish proceedings was a perfect counterpoint to the physical activity of the keiko and enbu. It helped bring us full circle and to settle and centre, before heading off on our respective paths. Thank you Berin for all you give.     - Stephen Nugent and Fiona Hawke My first enbukai was great. The instructors allowed us (beginning students) to express our understanding of Aikido. We studied with real senseis (masters) who taught us well. I'm glad to have them as my instructors. Thank you.     - Clinton Manukau For my first enbukai, it was great and after I felt enlightened. It's made me want to come to more enbukai in the future.     - Rodney Bereshezckiy (14 years of age) Blue Mountains Way of the Peaceful Warrior Aikido School Dear Berin, Thank you for inviting us on Sunday 19th September 2004. It was indeed an honour and a privilege to participate in the enbukai and meet all those nice people. And it drove home the consciousness of the immense responsibility of throwing seeds into the winds of existence and the far-reaching effects, consequences and repercussions that may eventuate. It moved me. Especially when an individual makes the decision to catch a slender thread which may start that person on the Aiki way. As your old teacher I merely pointed the way. But I did so for many. Few took upon themselves the courage and heart, the 'kokoro', to actually embrace the sometimes seemingly tenuous great vision of Aiki on the far horizon, and then walk the walk to that point of fruition where you can give to many others. Everything is relative. From one viewing point it may seem like a huge leap, from another, a small step. But know this: In the vast scheme of things it has immense value! Particularly because you are sharing and imparting the ultimate benefit to other human beings, the opportunity to reclaim themselves! The spiritual evolution and progressive enlightenment of humanity is no small thing. We may choose to add to it, detract or do nothing. What you have achieved is a milestone! Make no mistake of that. Sure, in 100 years you may see it as a small one but as the saying goes: ' The journey of a 1000 miles starts with one step.' And it's my observation that you have taken several good steps.' You must know by now the value and the misogi, of serving to work with people to uplift their hearts, minds and health, through the shugyo of regular Aikido training. It transforms the world because everyone who attends the dojo goes home vivified and vibrating differently than when they arrived. It touches the deepest aspects of ourselves and the highest; and it purifies the consciousness and increases clear thinking and understanding. Warmest Regards and Best Wishes for the Future.     - Nev Sagiba