Hello Everyone! New Aikidoka Here!

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Jean-Marcel Broussard]

I just want to take a moment to say hello to everyone on this website. I am very excited to be here. I am also on MySpace, and Facebook, but I think that this is going to be much different. I have used those sites to keep in touch with current friends, as well as to contact friends who I haven't seen in over 20 years. I look forward to making new friends here, and developing long lasting friendships.

I am originally from New York City, but I have also lived in Boston, Laguna Beach, Garden Grove (CA), and North Carolina. I currently reside in Winston-Salem. Besides my career as a graphic artist, one of the reasons I came to this area was because there are a lot more martial arts schools in this area than where I lived previously, which was Morganton.

I have studied Tae Kwon Do briefly, very briefly--enough to know the 2 basic stances, 8 basic blocks, and some strikes and kicks. But, as a TKD black belt once told me and I've heard before, without that--you basically have nothing. So at least I experienced the foundation.

I studied Tomiki Style Aikido, at the Hildebrand Aikido Club, under Larry Hildebrand, many years ago. Although I earned a yellow belt, it's been soooo long, that I wouldn't even think of wearing it today. I know that some of you are thinking that I should because I earned it, but I just don't feel that way--sorry.

I have been researching the schools around here. I've been checking out all the styles, with an emphasis on both Kung Fu, and Aikido. I found one Kung Fu school, but I have serious doubts about it. I have found three Aikido schools, and I am planning on joining Kodokan Aikido of Greensboro, as soon as I'm able.

That said, if Susan Dalton Sensei is reading this, I want you to know that I have read about four posts from your column. I really enjoyed them all. I look forward to meeting you. Well, I'm getting ready to email you anyway, if my son doesn't kick me off of my own computer! LOL!

Well, that's my long and lengthy introduction. I just want everyone to know, that it's great to be here. I look forward to growing with you all.

Sincerely,
Jean-Marcel Broussard

[akiy]

Hi Jean-Marcel,

Welcome to AikiWeb and thank you for your introduction.

-- Jun

[lifeafter2am]

Welcome to the site!

I also studied TKD, although for around 5 years! Good luck in your Aikido journey!

See ya around!

[nagoyajoe]

Welcome to Aikiweb. Happy posting!

[dalen7]

I have been researching the schools around here. I've been checking out all the styles, with an emphasis on both Kung Fu, and Aikido. I found one Kung Fu school, but I have serious doubts about it.

You know, I think Kung Fu is one of the original arts I wanted to take up. Almost did when I lived stateside in Atlanta...

Checked it out again in our small city, but for various reasons decided to go Aikido, despite the fact that it was opposite of the type of style I was looking for. (i.e., was wanting a good striking and kicking style.)

A year on and I enjoy Aikido -

As for Kung Fu there is only probably one place that I would take it where I think it would truly be beneficial. And that is back in Atlanta at Sifu francis fongs academy. (He is the guy I almost trained with...but it was a good distance from my house to his dojo at the time.)

The guy used to train special forces and mixes BJJ, Thai boxing, and has dan Insanto (spelling?) teaching JKD.

But anyway...welcome back to Aikido...enjoy. :D

Peace

dAlen

[Jean-Marcel Broussard]

Hello Dalen, and thanks to all for welcoming me,

Dan Inosanto, but yes, I know who you're talking about. Yes, that would be a great school to join. He was one of Bruce Lee's best friends, if not THE best friend. Kung Fu is both soft and hard, that's why I am interested in it. But, the way I see it. I know the basics of TKD, so if I really need to hit someone, I already know how to do that efficiently. I just need a punching bag perhaps, to practice on an conditioning my knuckles. I want to return to Aikido, because it's more in line of how I feel about life, particularly related to violence. If you can end a conflict without actually hurting someone, then they will respect you more due to the fact that you were so in control of the moment. If you just pummel the crap out of someone, and they live, then they're just going to want to go home and workout some more, so that they can return to beat you next time. That's no way to live. The Way of Harmony is much much better.

Thanks for replying to my intro.

Jean-Marcel Broussard

[j0nharris]

Hope you have had time to check out the Greensboro dojo. I didn't have time to meet some of the new faces I saw there for the testing this weekend, but I think everyone did very well, given the 150% humidity in the place (much better than usual, I might add).

[Cynrod]

Welcome aboard :) .

[Larry Cuvin]

Welcome to Aikiweb Jean-Marcel. Good luck on your search for a dojo.

Larry