Dan Harden Returning to Orange County Aug 4-5th [Archive]

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05-31-2012, 09:47 AM

Hello everyone
I would suspect this is going to be filled up fairly soon. Attendence is limited and I will make space for a few newbies like I always do, but the focus is on prior attendees who are working with me, so we can buckle down and just work. Lately, I have changed the venue to more repetition and deepening of the work. There is no dog and pony show and introductory material. I am pleased to say people are getting heavier and softer and thinking more clearly.
Location:
Orange County Aiki Kai
2525 N. Grand Avenue, Suite Z
Santa Ana, CA 92705

I may be throwing in a free Friday night class- it depends on the dojo fee for the weekend.

Costs
Price is up a bit for this one due to travel costs and fees that have to be paid.
$195.00 to PayPal homeoffice@charter.net
Registration to dojoseminars@gmail.com

Close out for registration is by July 1st.
Hope to see you there, and I can't wait to see some of you again on the mat and at the Saturday night dinner!! :D
Dan

Byron Foster

05-31-2012, 08:06 PM

It will be great to have you back here in SoCal.

Chris Parkerson

06-06-2012, 10:46 PM

Hi Dan. I sent you an email requesting to attend the Orange County seminar. I look forward to joining you all.

Hoka Hey,

Chris

07-01-2012, 07:54 AM

Just a follow up note that this is filling up. For those of you who have or are training with me, please take the time to tell me if you are intending to come. You have first option, otherwise you might be out. I have some rare down time so I will be sorting and responding to emails.
I intend to do some testing and follow up individual work as well as answer and demonstrate application value in waza and freestyle forms at this venue.

Registration/contact to dojoseminars@gmail.com
$195.00 to PayPal homeoffice@charter.net
Hope to see you there
Dan

Keith Larman

07-02-2012, 10:05 PM

I am still annoyed that this is happening the same weekend as the San Francisco Token Kai. Ya just had to pick the one weekend a year I will certainly be out of town. Sheesh.

07-03-2012, 11:13 AM

I am still annoyed that this is happening the same weekend as the San Francisco Token Kai. Ya just had to pick the one weekend a year I will certainly be out of town. Sheesh.
You and everyone else. MANNN did I pick the wrong weekend!!!! Oy!

Subsequently, there are still some openings left.
Dan

BWells

07-03-2012, 01:43 PM

Won't make this one, but see you in Sept at ADV:D

Thanks
Bruce

Keith Larman

07-03-2012, 02:11 PM

07-03-2012, 04:00 PM

And lord knows I really need some guidance. Might have to make the trek out and visit Gary now that I'm finally feeling relatively healthy. Then I can suck horribly in his presence... ;) And share stories... And hopefully beer. ;)

Have a good time, guys. Honestly, since the economy sucks so very bad I was very tempted to skip the sword show for this. But then my wife and daughter reminded me that they wanted to go with me to the show so they could shop, lounge about the pool, etc. Which makes it even more painful for my wallet... Sigh...
I think you know how I feel about missing you......:(
The great news for me is that my body is still rocking it. IP/aik...on the ground as a healing and martial power builder at the same time? Yeah baby!!!

Maybe I am back in the fall, I dunno. I am swamped these days and have family issues to boot!!! Oy!
Dan

Keith Larman

07-03-2012, 09:29 PM

I think you know how I feel about missing you......:(
The great news for me is that my body is still rocking it. IP/aik...on the ground as a healing and martial power builder at the same time? Yeah baby!!!

You make it in the fall and I"ll be there.

I must admit that various solo exercises along with some stuff I've put together for myself have been quite helpful with my degrading spine. Thank goodness for those elastic band exercisers giving all sorts of ways to create a pull in some odd direction. Fun trying to maintain that structure in a relaxed fashion when the bands are pulling you backwards or sideways, or diagonally. I've got a number of the things hooked on the shelves, roof support beams, the base of a heavy table, etc. in my workshop. And I'm finding the increased ability to maintain structure has gone a long way in allowing me to use my body better. Which takes stress off the back and I"m finding I'm now able to do it more and more in motion with some ugly goon hanging on or trying to knock me over. And then just hanging up my heavy bag again and completely relearning my punching... Kind of like punching by starting from your little toe... But I'm still having trouble getting the damned hips coordinated. I don't know if its the tightness in my hips or that I'm simply a tight-ass. Probably a bit of both. ;)

Frankly I'd probably be done training by now if it weren't for this stuff. So I'm a happy guy. With complete respect and thanks.

07-03-2012, 09:43 PM

You make it in the fall and I"ll be there.

I must admit that various solo exercises along with some stuff I've put together for myself have been quite helpful with my degrading spine. Thank goodness for those elastic band exercisers giving all sorts of ways to create a pull in some odd direction. Fun trying to maintain that structure in a relaxed fashion when the bands are pulling you backwards or sideways, or diagonally. I've got a number of the things hooked on the shelves, roof support beams, the base of a heavy table, etc. in my workshop. And I'm finding the increased ability to maintain structure has gone a long way in allowing me to use my body better. Which takes stress off the back and I"m finding I'm now able to do it more and more in motion with some ugly goon hanging on or trying to knock me over. And then just hanging up my heavy bag again and completely relearning my punching... Kind of like punching by starting from your little toe... But I'm still having trouble getting the damned hips coordinated. I don't know if its the tightness in my hips or that I'm simply a tight-ass. Probably a bit of both. ;)

Frankly I'd probably be done training by now if it weren't for this stuff. So I'm a happy guy. With complete respect and thanks.

Wow, Keith. That was, perhaps, one of the best things I've read here lately. Really great to hear that this stuff is helping you in a lot more ways than just the martial. Thanks for posting that. Hope it continues.

Mark

07-26-2012, 10:34 AM

Gary David

07-26-2012, 03:18 PM

Hi Folks
Due to me picking the worst weekend possible (It's not my fault!! :o ) there are still some openings for this. Let me know if anyone is interested.
Gary is going to arrange a Friday night training at a local beach at sunset, and post details today!
Contact: dojoseminars@gmail.com
Payment $195.00 by PayPal homeoffice@charter.net -or in person provided you contact me first.

Everyone else...I'll see you soon
Dan

Folks
We will meet by the Pier in Seal Beach......the next little town below Long Beach. Looking like we will be meeting up at 6:30. It can be cool and breezy.... good places to eat/drink afterwords. I'll put up better directions after I get home. See you there...

Gary

gregstec

07-26-2012, 05:28 PM

Folks
We will meet by the Pier in Seal Beach......the next little town below Long Beach. Looking like we will be meeting up at 6:30. It can be cool and breezy.... good places to eat/drink afterwords. I'll put up better directions after I get home. See you there...

Gary

Yes, Seal Beach is a good place for that from what I remember from my Navy days stationed in Long Beach - too bad I won't be able to join you all - have fun!

Greg

Gary David

07-26-2012, 06:20 PM

Yes, Seal Beach is a good place for that from what I remember from my Navy days stationed in Long Beach - too bad I won't be able to join you all - have fun!

Greg

Folks
Further directions.......... Seal Beach is just south of Long Beach on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
and north of Huntington Beach through Sunset Beach....

From Los Angeles take the 405 Freeway (Fwy) or the 605 Fwy south to where they connect, go around the corner and exit to Seal Beach Blvd South.

From Orange County go north on the 405 Fwy or west on the 22 Fwy to where they combine and exit on Seal Beach Blvd South.

Go south on Seal Beach Blvd to PCH and turn right (you are in Seal Beach proper). Go to Main St. and turn left....3 blocks to the pier and the beach. Find a place to park (take care as parking on Main St. has time limits and they will ticket)

I would suggest mapping Seal Beach to give yourselves a picture of the area...

Of course if you are familiar with the area....get there however.......see you....

Gary

Aikibu

07-26-2012, 07:14 PM

Oh Well. Hopefully you will let me attend if you come back in the Fall or Winter. :)

William Hazen.

SeiserL

07-27-2012, 05:24 AM

chillzATL

07-27-2012, 06:59 AM

Was just out in Seal Beach for Father's Day.

Lived 1 block from the sand for 11 years and had an office above the Ice Cream shop on Main Street.

If I were still in the OC, I would so be there.

Enjoy.

But you're in Georgia and we can't seem to get him down this way. Does aiki wilt at 100 degrees and 80% humidity?? :) Sorry Dan, couldn't resist. :D

07-27-2012, 11:11 AM

But you're in Georgia and we can't seem to get him down this way. Does aiki wilt at 100 degrees and 80% humidity?? :) Sorry Dan, couldn't resist. :D

I promise this spring. It has been a very...VERY....crazy year for me both good and bad. :freaky:
Dan

07-30-2012, 04:21 PM

Please note*
Friday night is ONLY for those paying to come to the seminar

Hours for sat. and Sunday are 10-6 with a lunch break
I'll be wearing a white shirt with black cargo shorts on the beach at 6:30pm Frid. till whenever..... :cool:
See you there
Dan

Anthony Loeppert

08-01-2012, 09:18 AM

08-02-2012, 07:53 PM

Posting here in case my email isn't read for whatever reason. I am once again compelled to (as recommended to me recently on this board to travel and research) attend - assuming space and I am welcome.

See you all there?

I'm just waiting for a confirmation to transfer funds.
Anthony
I just saw this. No problem with you attending at all. I hope we meet as friends. There are plenty of people here who can tell you that I will offer you an open hand and lots of laughter....at myself and others!
Dan

Anthony Loeppert

08-02-2012, 08:26 PM

Anthony
I just saw this. No problem with you attending at all. I hope we meet as friends. There are plenty of people here who can tell you that I will offer you an open hand and lots of laughter....at myself and others!
Dan

Looking forward to the experience. Hopefully I can keep up. I puked this morning after a training session. :(

Janet Rosen

08-02-2012, 10:48 PM

Anthony, I hope you feel well and can make it to the seminar. WELL worth it.

08-04-2012, 11:05 PM

I had a wonderful time training with Anthony and folks from Australia and England
I forget sometimes how this stuff brings people together from I Li quan to Koryu to Aikido....time after time.
Dan

Anthony Loeppert

08-05-2012, 07:42 AM

I had a wonderful time training with Anthony and folks from Australia and England
I forget sometimes how this stuff brings people together from I Li quan to Koryu to Aikido....time after time.
Dan

Likewise. Once I have some time this evening and a computer instead of a tablet, I may write more. Or I may wait and process the experience. But I now have some idea what Dan does/teaches I can say unequivocally what he does he does extremely efficiently and his model is empirically driven. I respect the hell out of that.

mathewjgano

08-05-2012, 02:03 PM

Likewise. Once I have some time this evening and a computer instead of a tablet, I may write more. Or I may wait and process the experience. But I now have some idea what Dan does/teaches I can say unequivocally what he does he does extremely efficiently and his model is empirically driven. I respect the hell out of that.

I'm looking forward to your impressions, if you choose to share them! Dan is a very good teacher and has distilled some essential lessons on how to use the body in an interesting way. Like he said earlier, it's pretty cool how so many different groups are getting together to study this stuff. I think a community of learning is essential; to not only learning budo, but everything. It was this sense of community that stood out to me in the seminars at Ledyard sensei's dojo (...partly because I'm still pretty blind to the material being covered).
Glad you had a good time!
Take care,
Matt

Anthony Loeppert

08-07-2012, 11:55 AM

I'm looking forward to your impressions, if you choose to share them! Dan is a very good teacher and has distilled some essential lessons on how to use the body in an interesting way. Like he said earlier, it's pretty cool how so many different groups are getting together to study this stuff. I think a community of learning is essential; to not only learning budo, but everything. It was this sense of community that stood out to me in the seminars at Ledyard sensei's dojo (...partly because I'm still pretty blind to the material being covered).
Glad you had a good time!
Take care,
Matt

To the tone of the seminar:
As the first day started we all gathered around at the designated time, Dan asks "Questions?"... silence for about 5-10 seconds... someone: "How old is that shirt?" I understood the urgency and relevance of the question, but I wouldn't be so presumptuous to ask myself. ;)

Teaching method:
He opens himself to scrutiny and observation, allowing - even insisting - attendees to touch the various muscle groups as they fire when he's demonstrating something.
No lazy students! If you ask a question, you will get an answer. Then you WILL be requested to explain said explanation at a later time. If you can't you don't understand the idea well enough and he will explain it again... and you will be quizzed again. If you don't ask too many questions, don't worry he'll call on you.

If you have a difference of opinion, up you come front and center to explain. He will try hit/throw/whatever and you try the same. I don't think any attendee explanation ever bested Dan's.

If you prod and poke him a bit on the internet first, (I got the feeling) you get some special treatment on your first seminar! :) Leave any shoulder chips at home though, should you have any. Being able to laugh at yourself is required for attendance.

I'm a firm believer that the phrase "practice makes perfect" replaced with "perfect practice makes perfect". Dan constantly challenges all movement. What is the purpose, how is it supported, etc. If the answer doesn't pass the criteria then drop it like a bad habit because it probably is. He tries to equip attendees with this self critical eye because in the end (as he said many times), it is just you and yourself doing (or not) the work post seminar.

I have some ideas to incorporate the feelings and movements from the weekend into my continued exploration of the principals inherent in the Yoshinkan Kihon Dosa.

To those that haven't attended and are curious to the specifics, as I'm a total novice to Dan's methods, it would be folly for me to even attempt to describe or explain any of the specific exercises. I had a hard enough time repeating back what I had just heard the previous 5 minutes in the seminar.

I guess that is about all I have to say about that.
Anthony

Gary David

08-07-2012, 12:34 PM

To those that haven't attended and are curious to the specifics, as I'm a total novice to Dan's methods, it would be folly for me to even attempt to describe or explain any of the specific exercises. I had a hard enough time repeating back what I had just heard the previous 5 minutes in the seminar.

I guess that is about all I have to say about that.
Anthony

I'll add a small bit here..........
- Smallest group I have been involved in......... About 16....... It was the most fun....this being my 4th
-Most information I have retained (for me notes don't help later)
-Drove home the understanding (for me) that if you want to make your Aikido really effective you need to do this work,
-If not (and that is ok) then stick with the timing blending model
- There are others doing this work, Dan is not the only one
-It takes a lot of time and hard work to get any results
-It is not about waza......it. Is not about Dan
-We were give some individual solo practices to help us along........
-if you want them (this is me talking here) then take the time to hook up with Dan....... If not then don't worry about it......
-Dan Is a real real gentleman

Nothing more than that........... Mark Freeman was there....... He is a gentleman also

Gary

phitruong

08-07-2012, 01:01 PM

you guys out on the beach. anyone wore thong? does that help with the aiki? :D

Chris Li

08-07-2012, 01:03 PM

you guys out on the beach. anyone wore thong? does that help with the aiki? :D

Trust me - Dan in a thong does not help anybody. :D

Best,

Chris

Keith Larman

08-07-2012, 03:42 PM

you guys out on the beach. anyone wore thong? does that help with the aiki? :D

I was going to post that I was overwhelming depressed that I had to be out of town for the token kai the same weekend. But with that quote... Hmmm, considering the god-like bodies of most of us (Buddha, mostly)... :eek: That's not a mental image I need to keep...

Janet Rosen

08-07-2012, 05:48 PM

Trust me - Dan in a thong does not help anybody. :D

Best,

Chris

Well, he DOES use humor effectively as a teaching tool :-)
VERY glad Anthony L and Mark F made it!

Byron Foster

08-07-2012, 08:08 PM

This was a great seminar with a great bunch of guys! Everyone had fun and learned a lot.
Since the last time I was at one of these workshops, it seems that Dan’s teaching strategy has evolved. To me it seems that he has put a lot of thought into developing a teaching syllabus that progresses in a logical way. He steadily built up the techniques from simple :) and kept adding layers to it. It was very good.

On Sunday we had a two hour question and answer period. No matter what we threw at Dan, he managed to explain everything in a detailed way. He would explain the anatomy, the theory, then how to and how not to practice something, and then a practical example. I was very impressed with his detailed understanding of each movement in his body and how it worked. I did not realize that I needed to study anatomy to be a martial artist.

Dan went out of his way to make sure the new students had hands on experience feeling what was happening. Everyone walked away from this seminar with better understanding of his training principles and theory. Plus plenty of homework. I plan to last more than two seconds during the push test next time….:freaky:

Dan encourages for everyone to bring a notebook and takes notes during class. He even brought out a whiteboard to assist with some of his anatomy explanations with visual aids.

I am not an artist. On one page I have something that looks like a gingerbread man with a bunch of vector arrows radiating out from it with “This is Important” written underneath. On another page I have what looks like a corkscrew with more vector lines and “This is More Important” written underneath.

My wife now thinks I went to a cooking class.

Mark Freeman

08-07-2012, 09:50 PM

-Dan Is a real real gentleman

Nothing more than that........... Mark Freeman was there....... He is a gentleman also

Gary

Hi Gary,

I think that Dan will agree with me, you are the true gentleman of the weekend. Serving the finest Tequila to have ever passed our lips, as well as feeding, ferrying and putting us up, proves it. Thanks again to you and your lovely wife for the hospitality.

Some great reviews of the seminar already posted.

I am currently decompressing on the beach at San Clemente. By the end of the seminar, I was on aikido/aiki overload, from 12 days of practice every day. I will have things to write in my blog, that will be relevant. I'll make some time, in the next few days, inbetween bodyboarding in warm Pacific waves and reading a damn good book.

regards,

Mark

chillzATL

08-08-2012, 09:12 AM

Hi Gary,

I think that Dan will agree with me, you are the true gentleman of the weekend. Serving the finest Tequila to have ever passed our lips, as well as feeding, ferrying and putting us up, proves it. Thanks again to you and your lovely wife for the hospitality.

Some great reviews of the seminar already posted.

I am currently decompressing on the beach at San Clemente. By the end of the seminar, I was on aikido/aiki overload, from 12 days of practice every day. I will have things to write in my blog, that will be relevant. I'll make some time, in the next few days, inbetween bodyboarding in warm Pacific waves and reading a damn good book.

regards,

Mark

Looking forward to reading your report on all this voodoo! :)