A Call for Donations for Devastated Sumatra Aikido Dojo
Posted 10/15/2009 1:18pm [from Jun Akiyama]
November 6, 2009: I am happy to report that the donation drive was a great success, owing to the generosity of folks in the US, Norway, Singapore, Germany, Russia, and beyond! We managed to raise $1,855 total and was able to send out 165,000 yen (about $1,824 after PayPal fees, etc) to the Kobayashi Aikido Dojo in Japan to send over to the devastated Padang, Sumatra dojo in Indonesia.

I received a wonderful e-mail from Hiroaiki Kobayashi sensei with his appreciations for everyone's donations. He will be heading over to Indonesia later this month with the collections.

Special thanks go out to Ms Hiroko Tojo who facilitated the transfer to Kobayashi dojo's bank account.

Thank you, everyone, for your support for this donation drive!

Dojo News: Toyoda Center Accepting Uchideshi Applications in MI
Posted 10/27/2009 10:17am [from Toyoda Center/Yushinkan Dojo]
The Toyoda Center of Aikido and Kendo in Grand Rapids, MI is now accepting applications for the uchideshi (live-in student) program. The Toyoda Center has had a successful uchideshi program since 1994 and has openings for 3 new uchideshi. Accepted candidates will participate in the Aikido and Kendo programs primarily, with opportunities to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. More information at the link provided.

Dojo News: Aikido in Kenya
Posted 10/27/2009 10:17am [from Marcin Chlystun]
This is to inform everyone that first Aikido section in Kenya has been initiated at the Embassy of Japan. Practice takes place on Friday at 5pm at the Cultural center of the Japanese Embassy. We welcome and invite everybody who would like and contribute to the development of Aikido in Kenya. We also welcome help and assistance in acquiring equipment and mats, which we still do not have. Looking forward to see you in Kenya. With best wishes, Marcin and Mateusz

Seminar: Aikido Sydney City to host Jean-Rene Leduc Sensei (AKI Canada)
Posted 10/27/2009 10:17am [from Berin Mackenzie]
Aikido Kenkyukai Sydney City is pleased to be hosting a visit by Jean-Rene Leduc Sensei, 5th dan, of AKI Canada. Leduc Sensei will be leading special classes at Sydney City Dojo throughout November 2009, in addition to four weekend seminars in NSW and South Australia. Leduc Sensei is one of Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan's leading students and is internationally renowned for his dynamic, joyous and flowing Aikido style. All Aikido students are welcome to join us for training. For posters with full details, please consult our online events calendar!

Article: " Ariana Strozzi – A martial artist making a difference"
Posted 10/24/2009 12:13am [from Jun Akiyama]
Another article in examiner.com's "martial artists making a difference" series, this time on Ariana Strozzi. From the article: "While studying Aikido she realized that the principles she was learning were similar to the principles she practiced while training horses. This notion opened up a whole new way of practicing horsemanship that could be applied to self-development for leaders. Her background and love for horses slowly merged with her experiences while training leaders."

Article: "Friends and Allies"
Posted 10/21/2009 11:22pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Here is an article entitled "Friends and Allies" which recounts a story of the author's encounters with bullies back in fourth grade. From the article: "Deeply affected by Aikido's philosophy of non-violent self-defense, bolstered by my newly acquired church teachings to "turn the other cheek," I had become militantly pacifistic. So, I refused to fight. If they persisted, I'd use the Aikido techniques I'd learned to defend myself. But only that. They didn’t know what to make of it. Who was this weird kid who refused to fight, ignored their taunting, and acted as if they didn’t exist? It was a challenge, so they upped the ante - and I couldn't keep up."

Article: "Aikido: Mansfield Senior High graduate a hit in Japan"
Posted 10/20/2009 2:42pm [from Jun Akiyama]
Here's an article entitled "Aikido: Mansfield Senior High graduate a hit in Japan" which highlights Josh Ramsey, a Tomiki aikido practitioner, who "became the highest placing American in tanto randori aikido in more than 30 years, finishing in the top four" in the recent Eighth International Sport Aikido Tournament last month. From the article: "He picked up fans along the way as the non-Japanese in the crowd found a rooting interest to follow as 'The Football Player,' as he was dubbed in Kyoto, wound up in the semifinals. Because of his size compared to most of the competition and his dominating success, he was also dubbed 'Joshzilla.'"

Seminar: Shihan Hiroshi Kato, 8th dan in Houston, TX Nov 6-11, 2009
Posted 10/13/2009 3:22pm [from Jorge Garcia]
Shihan Hiroshi Kato, 8th dan will be in Seminar from Friday, November 6 through Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in Houston, Texas. The seminar will be at the new dojo of the Shudokan School of Aikido at 17111 Kieth Harrow, Houston,Tx 77084. This will be a limited participation seminar and only 50 people will be allowed in the building on Saturday, November 7 so if you would like to attend, you must pre-pay by sending a check for $100 made out to Shudokan Aikido Association to 17106 Carshalton Court, Houston,Tx 77084. This will allow you to attend every session for the entire week. Please act now before all the space is taken. We normally have 90 to 100 participants but are limiting the number again this year. For more information, call 281-630-0361