Aikido Newsletters: e-Aikitsushin Volume 2, January 2005 (Online Newsletter of Aikido Kenkyukai)

Welcome to the first e-Aikitsushin of the new year! The Aikido Kenkyukai International events calendar for 2005 is already filling up fast with this year set to see an unprecedented rate of cultural exchange between AKI dojo across the globe. The end of 2004 was also very eventful for our group as you'll soon see!

In this issue, we feature:

AKI Honbu Dojo - Message from Takeda Shihan;

AKI Australia - Spring Kyu and Dan Promotion Weekend;

AKI Australia - Visit by Suzuki Sensei and Yamamoto Sensei;

AKI Japan - 2005 Higashi Totsuka Dojo Gasshuku;

AKI New Zealand - Brief update from Wellington;

AKI U.S.A. - Gasshuku with Kirisawa Sensei

AKI U.S.A. - From Santa Barbara to Sydney

AKI U.S.A. - Last one off the mat

To join the AKI mailing list, or to send articles, comments or suggestions
for future issues, please contact aikidosydneycity@gmail.com

AKI Honbu Dojo, Japan

Centre

Cultivation of your inner land with Aikido takes you to the source of life, rather than seeking a dazzling outer world.
Centre relates to all Ways.
Your 60 trillion cells and DNA will be transformed into free energy accumulators, suddenly or gradually, if you practice properly.
Just enter into the "Present, a Centre", not the future or the past.
"Centre" has no conflicts but gives rise to much energy as a vacuum of physics.
Stay in centre and enjoy the current of life energy.
Aikido is the easiest and most enjoyable way to take us to the center together with our partners.
Centre exists today and now.

Y. Takeda
January 2005

AKI Australia

Spring Kyu and Dan Promotion Weekend

The Grading Gasshuku held in Orange NSW in October 2004 and led by Stephen Seymour 4th dan and Mike MacGregor 4th dan, saw a number of firsts for Aikido Kenkyukai in Australia.

It was the first gasshuku under a new program where gradings are conducted twice a year to coincide with spring and autumn gradings in Japan. Another first was for our fledgling dojo in Orange. It was our first major gasshuku hosted in Orange following a smaller training weekend the previous year. For a number of our students, it was the first time they had been involved in hosting a gasshuku. In many ways, it was a "coming of age" for Aikido Kenkyukai Orange and a defining moment in our short history.

Thirty-five Aikidoka hit the mat over the weekend and 14 people undertook gradings ranging from 4th kyu to shodan. The gasshuku was structured a little differently than others, with the gradings being integrated throughout the weekend, and a major focus being given to reviewing grading techniques for the benefit of all in attendance.

Aikidoka journeyed from Sydney, Canberra, Queanbeyan, south coast NSW and Melbourne to be with us and to join in the training. Off the mat, we experienced the beauty of the surrounding country (very green at this time of year), a car convoy to Mt Canobolas and a country-style dinner at the Mountain Teahouse (with a fire-twirling show and impromptu performances thrown in).

We hope this will be the first of many gasshuku that we host in the Central West as the spirit and energy of Aikido Kenkyukai International extends into new territory and continues to grow. View the article from the local newspaper here.

- Fiona Hawke and Stephen Nugent (AKI Orange)

Visit by Suzuki Sensei and Yamamoto Sensei

The Australian AKI Gasshuku in November with Suzuki Yasuyuki Sensei and Yamamoto Hiroshi Sensei was very successful. Fifty people attended from around Australia and, for the first time in many years, we had some split classes for kyu grades and dan grades. Yamamoto Sensei taught the kyu classes while Suzuki Sensei taught the yudansha. This was possible because we had two separate mat areas next to each other. This way we were able to use the two mat areas combined for the general class.

The gasshuku was held in an indoor swimming complex in the center of Sydney. After keiko, people could enjoy a swim or spa as well as various water fountains. The outside of the centre had Hyde Park next to it. This is a large and beautiful park in the middle of the city.

On the Saturday night we attended a Japanese restaurant and ate and drank so that we would survive the next day's keiko. Stewart Letford, who founded AKI Australia, also attended so we were able to unite Suzuki Sensei and Stewart once again to celebrate 25 years since they first became friends.

Founders of AKI Australia

On the Monday following the gasshuku, Hiroshi Sensei decided he wanted to try hang gliding. The launch site overlooked some beautiful beaches and cliffs 1 hour's drive south of Sydney. He wasn't afraid to try it and Suzuki Sensei thought that it wasn't exciting enough so he stayed on the ground. Berin also flew like a bird and they were both flying for abou 40 minutes. Amazing !

We are so lucky to have the friendship of all the AKI people and these are the only times that we get together in such a big group. Thank you Suzuki Sensei and Yamamoto Sensei

- Stephen Seymour (AKI Balmain)

AKI Japan

2005 Higashi Totsuka Dojo Gasshuku

On the 12th and 13th February, the Higashi Totsuka (AKI Honbu) Dojo held a gasshuku with Takeda dojo members only in Onjuku, Chiba prefecture. This was the second ever Takeda gasshuku and 12 people attended.

Because of the small group of people, training was substantial and full. Takeda Shihan led the afternoon class on the 12th and the morning class on 13th, focusing on "entering into your partner's movement" and "entering into the neutral point where you can find balance between you and your partner", without thinking about form or technique, to grasp the essence of Aikido. It was not an easy concept but the more we tried, the more we gained.

At night, we watched a video of demonstrations we filmed during the day's classes. It is stimulating to see our own movement as we don't often get the chance though it seemed like it gave each one of us something to think about.

Recently, each dojo here in Japan is able to have its own separate gasshuku. It obviously shows growth in numbers at each dojo and shows the development of Aikido itself. Such gasshuku enable us to enjoy the good company of fellow dojo members and provide stimulation through high quality training. I hope this type of communication spreads into wider areas and extends our Aikido world.

- Hiroshi Yamamoto (Kanazawa Hakkei Dojo)

AKI New Zealand

The Wellington group trains away, three times a week now, happy in the knowledge that other like-minded people are doing the same around the world too. Our only news is a plan to hold a second gasshuku, led by Numata Sensei, in the first half of this new year. More details will be forthcoming as they become available, and will be posted on the events page. Everyone will be welcome. Why not come and get rained on in windy Wellington!

- Ralph Pettman (AKI Wellington)

AKI USA

Pennsylvania Gasshuku with Kirisawa Naoki Sensei

AKI Pennsylvania's 2004 November gasshuku was a great success. We have two new members - Rob McGann and Jon Napolitano who had been training since May, and they had never experienced an AKI gasshuku. Lia Sensei and Nick came all the way from California to offer their support and energy and having them with us made all the difference. Kirisawa Sensei's keiko were high energy and lots of fun. When a gasshuku is small like this one (7 core members plus two or three one-keiko-visitors), the feeling in the group becomes very strong and connected. It was a very intimate kind of gasshuku.

At the last keiko, Rob and Jon both tested for 5th kyu and did a great job. We had powerful keiko every day and great food and drinks every night: the perfect gasshuku schedule!

The Pennsylvania dojo is really very lucky. Next year, in 2006, we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary. It's been difficult at times to keep this little dojo alive, but with the support and hard work of Lia Sensei and Kirisawa Sensei, we are still here! In the past, we've had Jean-Rene Sensei visit too, and we hope to invite Paul Sensei down from Cape Cod sometime soon.

Having Nick come to the gasshuku from California was very special. His visit helped our new members feel more of a connection to the larger AKI group. Maybe having Nick visit us was the most special thing of all - he made a great effort and showed us all the meaning of dedication and spirit. We're hoping all the Pennsylvania members will be able to come to Santa Barbara this Spring for Takeda Sensei's gasshuku. See you all there!

- Steve Trinkle (AKI Pennsylvania)

From Santa Barbara to Sydney

The November Gasshuku in Australia with Yasu Sensei was the first time I ventured from the comforts of my home dojo with Lia Suzuki Sensei in Santa Barbara. Training with Yasu Sensei was exciting and fun, sending me home with different and unique feelings to explore.

I travelled to Australia with Richard, another Santa Barbara member. We were welcomed with kindness by so many people. We started our adventures with Berin taking us canyoning in

the Blue Mountains. At the end of this great day in the rainforest we all shared the most delicious pizza and amazing sunset. It was as if the sky was on fire.

The next morning before the Gasshuku there was a special training with Hiroshi Sensei. It was a wonderful way to start this crazy gasshuku day. In the evening we were able to meet some of the crazy people we trained with and shared lots of food, spirits, stories and laughter.

The second day of Gasshuku was still full of huge energizing smiles everywhere to smooth over any tired aching feelings. After the gasshuku was over, we were happy to find out that we still had more opportunities to train with Yasu Sensei and Hiroshi Sensei at the Balmain dojo. What a treat.

We wanted to explore more of Australia so we rented a campervan and went up and down the coast. We stayed at one beach where we didn't see anyone for three days. We even found a beach named Santa Barbara. It was a very relaxing time, but we were still excited to train more with people we met at the gasshuku so we stopped in Canberra for a night. Big Mike's dojo in the bush was so beautiful.

My heart smiles to have shared Aikido with so many wonderful people from Australia and Japan.

- Belinda Guarisco (AKI Santa Barbara)

Last one off the mat

We arrived at the Sydney airport on November 17 and took a 4 hour bus and train ride to Berin's place. Two hours later, we started training at the Bondi Beach Dojo. It was good to be training with Berin again. We met Hiroshi Sensei on Friday the 19th, then went to the Blue Mountains to swim, hike and climb in the rain forest. It was awesome.

At 7:30am the next morning, Hiroshi Sensei was teaching at the Bondi Beach Dojo. I really had a great time training with Hiroshi Sensei. The Australian Gasshuku was next - Wow! Yasu Sensei was the guest of honor. I had so much fun training with him that I didn't want it to ever stop. I tried to be the last one off the mat. It was lots of fun to party with Sensei and we shared three bottles of wine together.

I also trained with a lots of other great teachers. This trip was the best trip I'd ever had. I had so much fun. When Belinda and I came back to Santa Barbara, somehow we were changed for the better. When asked who we had learned from, I told them I didn't know because I'd had so many great teachers and that I learned something from everyone.

- Richard Lynn (AKI Santa Barbara)

- May peace prevail on Earth -