One fine day at the Shindai Dojo

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[Dennis Hooker]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this but I just wanted to share it with you.

This Saturday past was one of the finest and enjoyable days of budo I have experienced in years. We had our dojo Kagami Baraki and it was an all day event going on into the evening. The Shindai Dojo is an Aikido dojo of course but we also serve as a budokan. We have been lucky enough to associate ourselves with some very fine instructors from MJERI, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Toyama Ryu and Batto Do. Our venue is big enough to have two sessions going at once with 1100 sq. ft. wood training surface that can be fully matted or all wood. In its standard format it is half matted and half wood which allows for two sessions to go on at the same time.

On Saturday we started at 11:30 a.m. with a meeting of all the instructors to set the main agenda for the coming year. We then started the celebration with MJERI (our own Gil G. Sensei teaching), followed by Kendo and then Judo. After a short brake we did Karate followed by Aikido and then Toyama Ryo and Batto do. Each session had a short demo and then everyone was allowed to take a class. The dojo was packed with members and their families and the floor was jammed for each session. It was such fun watching people from the highest ranking to family members set egos aside and enjoy the experience of new things. A great deal of fun was had by all. I love children (even though I don't teach them) and I was overjoyed seeing so many children from the other classes there. They got to interact one on one with a variety of very high ranking instructors from several arts and see them look a little awkward trying new things and having such fun at doing it and I hope it buil!t lasting memories for them all.>> The last session was Toyama Ryu with Bob Elder Sensei and his top students. An awesome demo of cutting and kata and then Elder Sensei held and impromptu cutting torment for all the other instructors. Of course safety was of utmost concern. Watching the Judo, Kendo and Karate instructors cut for the first time in their lives and enjoy their successes and failures to the extent they did was great fun.>> One of the ladies in Toyama Ryu does face painting and that evening she did all the children. She was quite busy with all those kids. We had a feast with four long tables full of deep fried turkey, pulled pork, smoked ribs, ham, and smoked pork and a varity of other stuff. Oh we had some veggies for the none meet eaters, and a lot of beer and soda.>> What a great Day!!>

[Budd]

Hooker Sensei,

Thank you very much for sharing that - it sounds like a wonderful day!!

Best,

[Ron Tisdale]

Sounds like mucho fun! Wish I coulda been there...

Best,
Ron

[James Davis]

Thank you, Hooker Sensei. I had fun at your dojo during the Aikiweb seminar, and from the looks of things, the fun is rolling on.:) I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself. Take care.

[crbateman]

...and then Elder Sensei held and impromptu cutting torment for all the other instructors.I know this is just a typo, but I had to chuckle for a moment as I wondered if your Freudian slip might be showing... :D

It's a great thing when MAers of different backgrounds get together to exchange ideas and experience training from the perspectives of others. Congratulations on a memorable event!

[Randy Sexton]

I believe we all enjoy hearing of fun times in the Dojo when people come and share their martial arts knowledge and food! I'm sure that I would have had a great time!
Doc:)

[Dennis Hooker]

hay that was some slip up on my part. I think it was fun rather than torment. However knowing Elder Sensei like I do that may have been his intent and I just picked up on it.

Besides torment or tournament what's the diff.

See ya Bateman

Hooker

I know this is just a typo, but I had to chuckle for a moment as I wondered if your Freudian slip might be showing... :D

It's a great thing when MAers of different backgrounds get together to exchange ideas and experience training from the perspectives of others. Congratulations on a memorable event!

[George S. Ledyard]

hay that was some slip up on my part. I think it was fun rather than torment. However knowing Elder Sensei like I do that may have been his intent and I just picked up on it.

Besides torment or tournament what's the diff.

See ya Bateman

Hooker
Happy New Year my friend! What great event that must have been... sure wish your weren't so far away. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks though... we can hoist a brew together then.
- George

[crbateman]

we can hoist a brew together then.Biroonage! One of the secret techniques... :D