Hello from Michigan.

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[Ben_t_shodan]

Hello,

I have been practicing aikido for a number of years. At first I didn’t know that I was suppose to introduce my self first. (no one told me)

If any one has any questions I will be happy to answer any of them.

thank you

Ben

[rachmass]

Hi Ben,

Nice to know of yet another person training in Michigan! Where do you train? What style? When did you start? Was it difficult finding aikido in Michigan?

Best,

Rachel from Ann Arbor

[akiy]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for your introduction! It sounds like we've been getting a lot of folks from Michigan in these Forums these days. Welcome!

-- Jun

[Ben_t_shodan]

well I practice Seidokan Aikido in Battle Creek. I think I started in '88 or '89. I’m not quite sure.

I actually got started after my mom did so I didn’t need to find a dojo or anything.

[rachmass]

Thats great, means your mother does aikido too? I started in the same dojo as my mother as well, although she was studying karate. I was never interested in karate (except the instructors :-) ), and aikido was a natural alternative. I started in either 81 or 82, not quite sure either. Looks like there is a good group of people out there!

[Bronson]

means your mother does aikido too?

His mom doesn't just do aikido, she does great aikido. I love it when the little people with no upper body strength make me go "Hey, why am I laying on the floor and why is her thumb in this very painful pressure point behind my ear?" :D

And Ben, for being a young punk, doesn't do too bad either :p Just kidding Ben, you know how much we all love you. If we didn't we wouldn't pick on you so much. ;)

Bronson

p.s. Ben is one of the few people I've seen who can leap straight up in the air and then dive straight down into the floor head first and turn it into a silent roll. Weird to see the first few times.

[Bronson]

It sounds like we've been getting a lot of folks from Michigan in these Forums these days. Welcome!

Michigan is the great undiscovered martial arts country. Well, at least where I'm living now is. The town I grew up in is the great martial arts backwater of the state. I've been really surprised/pleased to find the number of high quality instructors in a variety of arts since moving to southwest Michigan.

I didn't really have anything to say. Just wanted to make my 100th post before going to bed :p

Bronson