January AikiWeb Columns Now Available
Posted 1/24/2010 10:33am [from Jun Akiyama]
I am happy to present the first batch of columns of 2010 from "The Mirror," Ross Robertson, and Lynn Seiser. The columns, as usual, is available at: http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75. As always, please leave your thoughts for the authors and for others in the discussion section below each column. Enjoy!

Article: "Surrey's at-risk youth go under Wrap"
Posted 3/05/2010 2:28pm [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "Surrey's at-risk youth go under Wrap" describes the Surrey "Wrap" aikido program, "a pilot project where school, community and police have come together to surround kids who may be lured into gangs with more positive life forces." From the article: "Because we are a police-school partnership and I think some parents are adverse to the police component," Rai said. "But by and large, the parents that we work with may be resistant up front but when they see the program in action and it is all about support, resiliency, building self-esteem, setting up networks, supports, resources. We have only had one parent say no outright and stick to it. Ninety-nine per cent of the parents want the best for their children and they agree to the program."

Event: Brooklyn Aikikai Fundraiser, Film Premiere, March 12, 2010 in NY
Posted 3/04/2010 2:49pm [from Scott Ashen]
Please join Brooklyn Aikikai for our Spring fundraising event to benefit our scholarship fund. We are raising funds to help four women from the dojo travel to Japan to train in aikido and misogi at Hombu Dojo and Ichikukai Dojo in Tokyo. This will be the New York City premiere of a 2010 Sundance Festival award winning film - Homewrecker. Cast and crew will be on hand for a Q&A after the movie concludes. The premiere is Friday, March 12 at 7:00PM at Founders Hall, St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, New York City. Please visit our website for more details about the event and to purchase tickets. Tickets are only available online.

Event: John Cornish retires after 52 years of aikido
Posted 3/03/2010 11:29am [from James Wyatt]
John Cornish has decided to retire and his last lesson will be at the Budokwai on Friday 19th March. As ever all are welcome to come and practice. We would particularly like to invite everyone whom knows Cornish Sensei and has received his wisdom and humour over the years. Some of his more memorable comments: If a train is coming what do you do...get out of the way Fingers are for gripping... If you have two legs move two legs and if you have three move three You can never be low enough John Cornish originally started with boxing and judo around 1950 and became a student of Trevor Leggett and went to the Kodokan and Hombu dojo in early 1958 (at the same time as Chiba Sensei). He took daily practice with Osawa Sensei as well as lessons from Tohei Sensei, Waka Sensei and O'Sensei whom graded him. In Judo he is renowned for his technical knowledge with particular emphasis on judo kata with him being one of the few westerners to hold the licence to teach and examine in all the katas. James

Article: "Japanese dancer and fighter enchanted by Moscow"
Posted 3/03/2010 10:41am [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "Japanese dancer and fighter enchanted by Moscow" introduces us to Morihiro Iwato who is a ballet dancer at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow who also teaches aikido in Moscow. A nice video clip is included.

Article: "Aikido instructor shared skills with soldiers, Steven Seagal"
Posted 3/03/2010 10:41am [from Jun Akiyama]
This article entitled "Aikido instructor has shared skills with soldiers, Steven Seagal" highlights Hiroshi Isoyama sensei (8th dan). From the article: "Isoyama recounted how he'd surprise the Americans with victories against men twice his size. He said his feats were so remarkable that U.S. Army doctors wanted to examine him to figure out how the smaller Japanese man was beating such larger men."

Seminar: Aiki Taisai and Ireisai, Tsubaki Grand Shrine in WA, 4/23-25
Posted 3/03/2010 10:41am [from Rev. Koichi Barrish]
To achieve happiness and real improvement in our lives we must activate our KI or spiritual energy. When we can generate and harmonize with KI we become Genki/ filled with vitality and able to function at a high level of life power. Sarutahiko Okami, the main Kami of Tsubaki Grand Shrine is Ancestor Kami of Aikido and Kami of KI. Through the movements of Aikido, gifted by Sarutahiko Okami we will be filled with wisdom, power, courage and great KI. This Year 2010 is Heisei 22, Kanoe Tora, Happaku Dosei Chugu. In 2010 Kannagara Aikido will conduct the annual AIKI TAISAI April 23-25. May I invite everyone to come train our KI together at Aiki Taisai 2010. Friday April 23 Registration and open Mat: 5:00 to 6:00 PM Aiki Keiko and Yuuhai: 6:00 to 8:30 Group dinner in Granite Falls Saturday April 24 Misogi Shuho: 8:00 am Chouhai (morning ceremony): 9:00 Chinkonsai (Shinto active meditation) 9:30 Aiki Keiko: 10:00 to 1:00 IREISAI (Memorial for Mitama of O’Sensei: AIKO-NO-MIKOTO) 1:15 Naorae (potluck party) at Tsubaki House: 6:00 to 10:00 Sunday April 25 Misogi Shuho 8:30 Chouhai 9:30 Chinkonsai 10:00 Asagohan (Japanese breakfast [Mrs. Chika Barrish will prepare) at Kaikan 10:30 to 11:00 Aiki Keiko: 11:00 to 1:30 Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu Koichi Barrish Tsubaki Jinja

Seminar: British Birankai N.E. Aikikai Friendship Course, 3/28/2010
Posted 3/03/2010 10:41am [from Joe Curran]
The British Birankai N.E. Area is holding a one day Course in Durham. Instruction by J.Curran 6th Dan Shidoin.Arthur Lockyear 4th Dan Shidoin, Malcolm Blackwood 3rd Dan Fukoshidoin and Eddie Hodgson 3rd Dan Fukoshidoin.The date is 28 March 2010. 10 am -2,00 pm.More details of venue can be found under courses on British Birankai Website.This course is ope to all associations.Cost £5.00 for the day .