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<blogEntries>
<blogEntry id="4050">
	<title><![CDATA[Three Things You Should not do in Class!]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[One, Two, Three....Three things you should never do in class because it makes you look stupid! That's right, plain out, STUPID!!! 

The first thing you should never do, which by far makes you look the stupidest of all, is to never, ever in your right mind, ever try to teach someone that's been doing Aikido longer than you have, even if you know they're doing it wrong. It could be that your partner, that's been taking Aikido longer than you have, is just focusing on something else and, needs the space to experiment. It could be that your partner just had a bad day and is not totally with it, and you need to just keep quite and respect them by letting them work it out. It could be that your partner that's been doing Aikido Longer than you have, just had a brain fart, realizes it, as long as you are attacking in a sincere way, and wants to move on. It could be that your Partner that's been doing Aikido longer than you is not being attacked, by you, in a sincere way....So many, "It could be that your partner, that's been doing Aikido longer than you have....." 

Why don't you come up with a few and post them in the comments.

The second thing you should never do in an Aikido Class is try and hold your fart.....I've tried it.....and.....guess what.....it just made it louder. Now a days, I step off to the side and try a silent, but deadly fart...you know, you relax your muscles, relax your stomach and let out the gas............hopefully no one is close enough to smell it. You can always use the excuse, "whoever smelt it dealt it." And don't forget, it's not that bad, most you'll get is a good laugh if it's too loud!

How about some comments, has it ever happened to you..........It happened to me once when I was doing suwari waza kokyu ho, and I held my breath instead of breathing out and tried to hold it in, and boy was it loud!

Ok, the last and third thing you should never, ever, ever do in class, because it makes you and your sensei look like a total fool..........

Your Sensei calls you up to perform a technique, and your excited that Sensei singled you out to demonstrate the technique.....you are so excited that you attack, and before Sensei even starts to do the technique, you start to fall...Not sure what's going on in your mind, but you have just made the Sensei look really bad, like Sensei can't perform the technique, and you are taking a dive for Sensei to make Sensei look good, but on the contrary, you've made Sensei look bad! 

If you're going to take a dive for Sensei, at least wait until Sensei is performing the technique, to make it look real.....personally, I think that a Sensei that needs uke to fall, shouldn't be teaching Aikido, but that's simply a personal opinion.

I've done it a few times while I was in Japan, and totally felt bad about it, then focused my mind and energy on simply attacking, not worrying too much about what was going to happen to me, and guess what ended up happening........Sensei use to call me most of the time to demonstrate techniques....I guess he liked an honest, sincere attack!

&#12288;
I've got a few more videos up, please enjoy them, hopefully they will give you a new point of view on Aikido:

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBiHlBj09Jg"]Suwari-Waza Shomen-Uchi Nikyo[/URL]&#12288;

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>10-30-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4027">
	<title><![CDATA[The Untold Secret of Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Catchy title, isn't it.  I thought it up on my way to the post office to mail some certificates to some students that recently got promoted to 5th Kyu.

So I guess by know you are wondering what they are, those "Untold Secrets of Aikido".........Well, I guess if I knew what they were, then they wouldn't be "Untold Secrets," now would they.

OR

Even if they were the Secrets of Aikido, they wouldn't be secrets anymore, or if there were secret training methods to learn secret techniques, they wouldn't be a secret if they were taught or told, now would they.

And, the hardest thing in the world is to keep a secret!

Well, let me let you in on a secret.......there are no secrets.  There are no methods better than others.

Like the famous story about a New York Business man that put out an add, that if a yogi could actually float he would give him a million dollars...from what I here, people lined up around the building to prove that they could float and guess what ... no one actually could, "For Real."

But, let's add an interesting twist to that story.  If the Yogi, could, really float, then what the hell does he need a million dollars for!

Put your mind into your training, seek for truth, justice and righteousness, give God all the credit and you'll be on that secret path to untold truths!

Please enjoy another video I made:

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y55Q7dbOnmw"]Suwari Waza Shomen-Uchi Ikkyo[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>10-04-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4020">
	<title><![CDATA[The Ultimate Rush]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[The Ultimate Rush

I stepped off the train onto the platform at ShinJuku Station, fighting through the crowd to get to the exit. My heart was racing, from a mixture of nervousness and excitement. I was on my way to my Aikido class at the world headquarters of Aikikai. A dojo headed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba.

It was a thirty minute walk to the dojo, which took me through the noisy pleasure district of ShinJuku. Lights and color flashing everywhere, street Yakuza ganges and huge tv screens mounted on buildings. It was always a rush walking along thousands of people to get to my destination.

On my way to and fro the dojo, I would always pass a small temple. I loved walking by this temple. It was always so peaceful, with a water fountain and a stone statue of a dragon. I would always feel like I went back in time a few hundred years and was the best preparation for my intense workouts at Honbu dojo.

Walking through the main entrance, the smell of Tatami would always fill my nostrils and images of the mat covered with canvas would always enter my mind. "Can't wait to get on the mat, " would always cross my thoughts, "All I have to do is change, now."

I'd walk up the three flights of stairs to make it to the men's changing room and change. Wondering who I would get to train with that day.

I would bow into the mat and sit there patiently waiting for class to begin, trying to relax and get my rest because I always knew what waited when we'd start.

Class was always such an intense rush, the pace was incredible. I couldn't seem to stop, I'd attack, get thrown and get up as fast as I went down to attack again. The pace was mind blowing! The only time we would stop, was when the Sensei clapped his hands to spend 30 seconds to a minute demonstrating the next technique. Reminding me of my high school track training, when we would run 100 meter sprints with 1 min rest in-between, the only difference was that know I was sprinting 2 - 3 minutes at a time instead of 10 seconds.

While training there, I was in phenomenal shape. My pulse at rest was in the 50's. I could run up a mountain side without even breathing heavy. I ran a 10K with a marathoner having never trained for distance.

Being and training at Honbu Dojo was the Ultimate Rush, each and every day! Being physically fit, meeting the most authentic people and making amazing friends.
&#12288;

Here is another video to enjoy:  

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQqeyMEiGcA"]Aihamni Katate Dori Shihonage[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>09-22-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4014">
	<title><![CDATA[Ryote Dori Shihonage]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I like shihonage.  The idea is to learn to protect yourself all around on every corner.  

Is it possible?  To create a technique so powerful that you are protected all around all the time.  

Trying to develop this kind of technique over the years has taught me many humbling lessons.

Shihonage is one of the more difficult techniques to perform with multiple attackers.  It's much easier to perform kokyunage, or tenchinage, or ikkyo kokyunage.  It's hard getting around the idea of having to turn your back when you have more than one person attacking.

The funny thing, is that when it is performed correctly, Uke, or your attacker is the one protecting you!

Please enjoy this clip:

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dLhVhhzu2U"]Ryote Dori Shihonage[/URL]


Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>09-12-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="4006">
	<title><![CDATA[Golden Dragon Acrobats]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last week we got together for a little physical training and enjoy a wonderful evening watching the Golden Dragon Acrobats.

I think a few of the students realized how easy it is to get out of shape and how important it is to get a physical fitness program going.

We only did about 50 pushups, 50 situps, 50 back extensions and a two mile jog/walk, then we did a few sprints up a hill.  

The training was simple, just some pushups, situps, back extensions a jog and a few sprints.  Nothing special, nothing extravagant, no wild names like tae bo, pilates, Yoga...just your basic thing that could get kind of boring, but what I've discovered is that when you are in the company of friends, even the most mundane boring task can be fun!

The Golden Dragon Acrobats are truly amazing!  I wonder if it would be more fun to try that out than to do Aikido?!?!?Maybe not.....Don't think my body can do what they can!


[IMG]http://www.shinkikan.com/shinkikanwebsite/images/hermann2.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://www.shinkikan.com/shinkikanwebsite/images/hermann1.jpg[/IMG]
Erik Calderon, Vinny Nguyen and Rafael Garcia from left to right

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]



PS  Here is another video I made.  Please enjoy it:

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D55V9WxD-84"]Suwari Waza tanken dori gokyo variation[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>09-01-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3996">
	<title><![CDATA[PFT]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[When I was 13 years old, my dad shipped me off to military school.  I went to MMA, Marine Military Academy in Harlengen, TX.  It was, and I believe, still is, an incredible school.  I learned all about discipline and physical fitness.

I went in weighting 90 pounds, three months later I weighed in at 140 pounds and I was able to do 150 push ups in a row under 2 mins.

We had a physical fitness test "PFT" every three months, if I remember correctly...

We would jog every morning, together.  It was awesome.  So awesome that I'm deciding to require students of mine to undergo a PFT, physical fitness test in order to proceed with rank.

I think the Aikido training in itself is enough to get one in shape, but the running, push ups, pull ups, and sit ups just makes the training a bit more exciting.  And best of all, the Army has an incredible website with all kinds of awesome guidelines for the Physical Fitness Test.

Tomorrow is our first PFT training at Memorial Park....I wonder if anyone will show up!

Here's another video - I sure am having fun making these.....



[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPWukLjqPEA"]Shomen Uchi Gokyo[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>08-18-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3993">
	<title><![CDATA[Trix are for Kids....]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I always thought that colored belts were best for kids, up until about 1 month ago.

We're adults, there's no need for colored belts and in Japan, there is no colored belt system for adults.

I think I'm finally realizing that I don't live in Japan anymore and that the colored belt system is very good for measuring progress and setting goals.

The whole idea of getting rid of all desire is great in Japan, but here in America, setting goals for things we would like to accomplish is part of our lives.  

So, I've finally decided to put everyone on a colored belt system, and I am also making physical fitness a requirement.  

I've also uploaded a new video clip, check it out:


[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQOjfaboLAo"]Tanken Dori Kotegaeshi[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>08-17-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3988">
	<title><![CDATA[My Aikido is Better Than Your Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Wow, how many times I've heard this from people, and especially from students who came to my class from another dojo and said, my sensei is better than you.

How misguided people can get sometimes.  Aikido is an art, how can one mans art be better than another.  How can one Aikido work better than another.....

So many questions, so many opinions and so many ways to judge....

I'd prefer to say some people like doing things one way, some people like doing them another.  Some people like McDonalds better than Buger King. 

I personally like Five Guy Burgers better than Smash Burger.  AND OF COURSE, I like my way of doing Aikido better than anyone else's way.  

I'd say, let's not judge one another.  We can always learn from everyone....I even learn from beginners!

Here's another video clip.  

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LpAEShrYV0"]Ryote-Dori Tenchinage[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>08-10-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3985">
	<title><![CDATA[Weapons Training - Is it Needed?]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[In my opinion it is very important to integrate weapons training with Aikido training as an add on and expansion of Aikido.  I think it's important to stick with "Aiki - Weapons" inorder to build a stronger foundation.

I consider any weapon practiced with the fundamental movements of Aikido "Aiki - Weapons."  That covers a lot of ground doesn't it?  

And the possibility to have fun learning Aikido with a variety of weapons also comes into play.

I've uploaded an exercises with the sword to Youtube.   Check it out:

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66--0j6Vxwo"]Kumi-Tachi Tsuki Kirikaeshi[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>08-09-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3981">
	<title><![CDATA[Challenges of Teaching Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Finally got a third video post up.  It's a lot of fun making these and then seeing how my own techniques changes over time.  It's funny because it feels wrong to show something one way then a few months later say, it's not like that, it's actually like this.  It's very humbling to know that I am always learning, changing and improving.  Guess that's what makes it so hard to be a teacher of Aikido.

Check out my new video........

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pex_qibbGyg"]Kumi Jo Ikkyo the 2nd Part[/URL]



Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>08-06-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3978">
	<title><![CDATA[My Second Video Post]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Here is my second Video Post.  Hope you enjoy them.  

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4VFmzjMYEc"]Swari Waza Ryote-dori Nikyo[/URL]

Erik Calderon

[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]Erik Calderon's Martial Arts Program[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>08-01-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3977">
	<title><![CDATA[My First Video Post]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Well, this is my first video post, and actually just a test, so I'm happy to have the opportunity to share this with the community.

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV1QPkN0D90"]Swari Waza Ryote-dori Sankyo[/URL]

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>07-31-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3970">
	<title><![CDATA[Training Part 2]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[IMG]http://www.shinkikan.com/shinkikanwebsite/images/erikandmatt.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.shinkikan.com/shinkikanwebsite/images/erikandron.jpg[/IMG]



Well, not everything works out as planned.  And they say shoot for the stars and at least you'll hit the moon.  That's exactly what happend today.

After running one mile with a heavy back pack, I decided that I was not going to run the full 6 miles and only did about 2.8 miles.

I did get a 21 Mile bike ride and an awesome hour of Aikido!!

The aikido training was incredible!  There is nothing like doing aikido on the hard ground with some great friends.  We sure did get dirty and we threw each other around for about 1 hour.

Hopefully Matt and Ron will get into better and better shape, so that we can start training harder and harder!

Erik Calderon
www.escalderonmartialarts.com

PS. We do this on Sundays, so if you want to join in on the fun, let me know.]]></body>
	<date>07-25-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3969">
	<title><![CDATA[Training Part 1]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Let's see, today I plan to bike 20 miles, run 6 miles and train Aikido for 1 hour.

Will I make it, and I'm usre the blog post in part 2, after the fact, will be quite exciting, that is, IF I can post at the end of the day!

Erik Calderon.

[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>07-25-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3967">
	<title><![CDATA[Just another Average Day]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I actually pulled it off.  I planned to bike and run this morning, but by late afternoon I was ready to go to sleep.  I thought to myself, maybe I should take a break today.  I've been working out everyday, but then it hit me, I was just trying to be lazy.  So I comprimised with myself, and instead of biking and jogging, I just biked, I only did a 19 mile ride, which took me about 1hr and 30min through the hills of Terry Hershey park.

I'm so glad I made it out, and actually I think I may just go for a 2 mile jog tonight.

The bike ride was incredible, with thunderstorms all around and flashes of lightning with clear skies in the distance.  I have to admit that Houston, Texas has some of the most incredible weather in the world.  It can be pouring rain, so hard you can barely see 10 feet infront of you, and 3 miles away it's sunny.  Just like last Sunday, we did an Aikido Training at Memorial Park, which was nice and clear, but 10 miles away were I live it was pouring rain.

Wow, it's great to have Aikido Friends that are willing to train at the park with me!

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>07-22-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3966">
	<title><![CDATA[&quot;Let's Get Physical&quot;]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Yep, remember that song!  Well, I would like to just blog a little about how important it is to stay physical, like doing a bit extra.  Like running a 5K every other day, or swimming a few laps in a pool, or even biking.

I've been keeping up with that kind of training on the side, and boy has it helped my Aikido.  Not only do I feel much better everyday, but my mind is more clear.  I can preceive the techniques much better and my ukes seem to be a bit more afraid of me.

Well, let me just say it one more time:

"Let's Get Physical!"

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>07-21-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3965">
	<title><![CDATA[Recent Training]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Training for me has become pretty intense.  I've added biking and jogging to my routine of Aikido practice.

Never felt better...I'd love to add swimming, and intend to pretty soon!

I do believe that keeping in shape physically is very important for all three, body mind and spirit.

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com"]http://www.escalderonmartialarts.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>07-20-2010</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3444">
	<title><![CDATA[Aikido in Arlington]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Sassan has started an Aikido program in Arlington.  If you live around there, please stop by, try out a class and sign up.

It's nice to see two programs being run so successfully, one at the Katy YMCA and now one in Arlington.  

I had the wonderful opportunity to train last night with Vinny, Rafael and Sassan.  It was just awesome.  It was nice to be around people that appreciate Aikido so much and really want to learn.  

Erik Calderon]]></body>
	<date>02-21-2009</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3277">
	<title><![CDATA[Success At Last]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Getting it right, performing when the time comes, getting it down, it all feels great, but it's nothing more than hard work and sweat!

Yea, I can hear you saying that it's not how hard you work but how smart you work....yea right......but it's true, putting hard work into smart work is the combo that's needed.

If you just work hard without working smart, then it's just hard work, but hard work and smart work can really make a big success.

Do ikkyo 1,000 times in a row, that's hard work, but do it mindlessly and that's not smart!

Think about it each time you do it.  Do it as if it were the very first time everytime, but put that same amount of energy you put into the class the first day of class, and you'll be working smart, again.

Good luck.

Erik Calderon
aikido shinkikan
[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>07-17-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3211">
	<title><![CDATA[Ukemi in Training]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Ukemi in training.

Ukemi, being an important part of learning Aikido, is very important in the development and execution of a technique.

Since Aikido uses the energy of one attacking, then uke's role in making the technique work is extremely important.

Uke then must attack.  If uke is not attacking, then how can one truly learn and experience Aikido?

When learning Ukemi place emphasis on learning to attack and building confidence and trust in the one performing the technique.

The one performing the technique must then focus also on building trust and confidence for Uke to attack.

If you are afraid, or have been made afraid to attack, then you are simply dancing with your partner.

If you can not perform the technique when someone attacks, and can humble yourself to learn, then you are learning Aikido.


Erik Sasha Calderon
[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]
aikido shinkikan]]></body>
	<date>05-22-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3206">
	<title><![CDATA[The Best VS The Worst]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[OK, now I think I'm on to something....

Do you want to be the best student, then just be a person that really wants to learn....

Do you want to be the best instructor, then just be a person that really wants to learn....

Good luck.

Erik Calderon
aikido shinkikan
[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>05-07-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3201">
	<title><![CDATA[The WORST Aikido Instructor]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[The worst instructor is the one that looks for the best students so that he can "look like" the best instructor.

And I should add, the WORST student is the one that looks for the best instructors so that he can "look like" the best student.

Erik Calderon
aikido shinkikan

[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>05-01-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3196">
	<title><![CDATA[The BEST Aikido Instructor]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[The Best Aikido Instructor

I've discovered over time that the best instructors are always on the look out for the best students. 

These are the students that will learn the most and excel like no other in the art that they practice.

And, of course, vise versa, the best students are always on the look out for the best instructors.

I guess, one can not exist without the other.

Erik Calderon
Aikido shinkikan

[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>04-29-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3179">
	<title><![CDATA[My Mission]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I've had my dojo for over 10 years now and I never really sat down to write out what my mission is.

I've always accepted other peoples vision of what they want out of Aikido, but from this day forward, "It's my way, or the Highway!"

My vision and mission is to live to our fullest potential through the learning and training of Aikido.

There it is.  If you don't like it, too bad, it's nothing more, nothing less.

Erik Calderon

[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>04-02-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3172">
	<title><![CDATA[Better Aikido Continued......]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[OK, if you were in class for the past two weeks you got a deep understanding to my 5 steps to better Aikido, if you couldn't make it, it's OK, because I'm in the process to writting a book about it.

This week we are focusing on Tenkan.  So, let's call it Better Aikido through Tenkan.  That's going to be the title to my next book.  

Tenkan.......Step in, pivit, Step back all while you are turning.

Three basic movements to my Aikido - Omote, Ura and Tenkan.

Erik Calderon
[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>03-26-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3160">
	<title><![CDATA[5 Steps to Better Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[IRIMI
Position yourself by turning back once.

Turn forward five times.

URA
Position yourself by turning forward once.

Turn back five times.


Erik Calderon
[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>03-12-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3150">
	<title><![CDATA[I don't want to teach Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I remember in Japan, how often people would ask me, how do you do it?  How can I do this technique?  Which hand goes where?  Where am I supposed to move my feet.

I usually always tried to keep silent and push them by attacking a bit harder.

Today, I find my self having to teach, when all I want to do is learn and become better.

I want to become the best I could ever be.....and the only way to get there is to have honest sincere training partners.  People that will push me further and further the same way I would keep quite and push my fellow students a bit harder.

Erik Calderon
[url]www.shinkikan.com[/url]]]></body>
	<date>03-01-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3139">
	<title><![CDATA[AIKIDO is BORING]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[[B][I]Aikido is Boring[/I][/B]

 

At some point in your training you may reach a point when you say, "Aikido is boring!  I don't want to do this anymore."  

 

I've reached that point many times throughout the 16 years I've done Aikido.  I've even quit several times; but there is just something about the way I learned Aikido and from whom I learned Aikido that completely changed my life.

 

For some reason, I keep doing it.

 

While in Japan, I remember a very good friend of mine, photographer, Mr. Sasaki, once counseled me.  When you reach a wall, you have to find a way to climb over that wall.  In everything you do, no matter what it is, you will usually hit a wall.  That's what separates the quitters from the conquerors.  

 

When you get to that point in Aikido when you start to think it's boring, you've hit a wall.  A wall that shows how limited your thinking is.  Can you get out of that "box"?  Can you climb over or go through that wall?  Are you going to make something out of Aikido?

 

A wall gives us a choice:  #1.  Do I want to quit? or #2.  Am I going to learn something here?  It's up to you to make the choice.

Erik Sasha Calderon
[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com"]http://www.shinkikan.com[/URL]
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>02-02-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3132">
	<title><![CDATA[12 Day Seminar]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last Thursday ended the 12 day seminar I held for the dojo.  It's amazing because the more I do Aikido the more I learn.

I guess it could be very confusing for everyone, because as I learn, my technique changes.

As my technique changes what I did yesterday is no longer what I am doing today.  I guess this is the part that makes Aikido very Zen like.  

Zen is something you can never grasp.  If my students are trying to grasp what I am doing today, and tomorrow I am doing something different, it will be very confusing.

Well, the seminar had a wonderful turn out, and it was amazing how many students stuck with it and came just about everyday.

12 days is pretty demanding, especially since we all have lives outside of the dojo.

Now that the basics are out of the way, we can spend the rest of the year training!

Erik Sasha Calderon
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-22-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3128">
	<title><![CDATA[FEAR]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Courage.

Develop the ability to control your movements when executing a technique.

It is very obvious when you are allowing fear to control your movements.

Consider it deeply and thoroughly, because thinking you are doing something and doing something different is very common.



[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com"]http://www.shinkikan.com[/URL]
Erik Sasha Calderon]]></body>
	<date>01-10-2008</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3113">
	<title><![CDATA[Aikido SUCKS!]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Yep, that's it, it SUCKS……

Why, because I've given up everything for it and I am the happiest I've ever been.

I gave up a good job with a good company….That really Sucks.

I gave up a life of wealth and happiness….That sucks, too.

I gave up traveling the globe…..This one ain't so bad.

I gave up beautiful women……This one has actually saved me a lot of money!

I gave up lunching with friends…..Because I teach at this time.

I gave up going out at night and drinking……..Has this made life boring?

It just SUCKS that I have such passion for Aikido and this has completely changed my life and destiny.

It Just SUCKS, cause I'm so excited and thrilled to be on the mat everyday.

[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com"]http://www.shinkikan.com[/URL]
Erik Sasha Calderon]]></body>
	<date>12-05-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3105">
	<title><![CDATA[Mecca to Japan]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I've finally got the details and the specifics ironed out for our trip to Japan, to visit the World Headquarters for Aikido at the dojo where the grandson of O'Sensei teaches.

It's so exciting to get to go and learn Aikido from the top Aikidoists in the world.  I'm soo excited, and so is Mike and Chris.  

I've planned it out so that we can train many hours a day, and be able to visit some wonderful historical places in and around Tokyo.

I used to walk to the honbu dojo (world headquarters) everyday.  It was  a 30 minute walk from Shinjuku station, everyday.  That's a 1 hour round trip walk and worth every minute.

I used to pass a small temple on my way everyday.  It has a beautiful statue of a dragon.  It was my favorite spot to pass on my way to train.  And boy would I train.  I had some incredibly wonderful times at the Honbu Dojo, I have met some of the most incredible people while training there.

I remember one Friday night, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the founder and late Dosshu, came up to me to show me kotegaeshi.  He was already pretty old and I was worried I might hurt him in my attack, but attacked hard anyway.  He threw me effortlessly, which was not so impressive to me anymore, but what truly impressed me, more than anything that I have every experienced in Aikido, was when he pinned me, it really felt like I had a ton of weight, and I mean a ton in pounds of pressure, smashing me to the mat.  I thought this little old guy was going to put me through the floor.

Honbu Dojo is the mecca of Aikido.  I truly wish and hope that anyone that is really interested in Aikido, tries to make the trip one day.


Erik Sasha Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan

[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com"]http://www.shinkikan.com[/URL]

[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com/seminars/tokyo2008.shtml"]Details on Our Trip to Japan.[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>11-18-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3087">
	<title><![CDATA[&quot;I QUIT!&quot;]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Finally after 10 years of trying to run and manage a dojo, I've decided to quit!  That's right, I quit!  Trying to teach Aikido as a business, just isn't for me.

When I came to Houston, from Japan, I really thought I could make teaching Aikido a business.  If you look at the numbers, it's there:  100 students at $100.00 per month = $10,000.00 per month, after rents and bills that would leave you with $7,000.00 per month.  That's not a bad salary for only a 100 students.  Then imagine if I could double that to 200 students, then with uniform and weapon sales....Wow....

Well, it's been 10 years, and yes I've had over 600 students come and go, some staying......

But, my trip to Mexico, truely had an impact on me and my Aikido.

My technique changed.  My mind changed.  My strength level's changed.

Can't explain it, but my students are complaining about it....

So, I've decided to quit the dojo business.....

Walked into a billion dollar business, anyhow......and focus my time and energy on getting more and more of my students to complain about my Aikido, instead of focusing my energies on the business of Aikido.

Erik Sasha Calderon
www.shinkikan.com
aikido shinkikan]]></body>
	<date>10-25-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3084">
	<title><![CDATA[Back in Houston]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[After a three week journey to the Baja Peninsula, I am back in Houston, back at the dojo, and just about back in shape.

The journey was amazing, and I met some amazing people.  

I met an 84 year old man that built his own 400 passenger ship, with his own hands and a few assitants.  He told me about his adventure in Hollywood and how he made 184 movies in the span of 8 years and all the wonderful actors and actresses he met.  This guy had more energy than two of me put together.  He took my dad in a ride in his helicopter to an organic farm that he built himself.  I can't even begin to express how amazed I was with the amount of things he is doing at the age of 84.

I visited the famous "Hotel California" where the Eagles stayed and wrote the famous song, "Hotel California."  

I met a guy that was given most of the land in Los Cabos, I think I need to repeat that, he was given the land in a lottery.  Now here it get's interesting...He lost the lottery and got the land on the beach!  You see, back then the land on the beach was worth absolutely nothing!  The land on the other side of the highway was the land that was worth something because you could put your cows on it.

Well, that was decades ago, he held on to that land and now he's the one with a lear jet, a super yatch and a lifestyle that we only dream about.

I got to dine in the most incredible restuarants, with the most incredible views.  

Maybe, in 14 years, I'll retire to Cabo.  It's like a dream over there.

Not to mention I've got a store over there selling beautiful Mineral Specimens.]]></body>
	<date>10-18-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3080">
	<title><![CDATA[No Aikido Training Lately]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I haven't been able to train again.  My schedule has been incredibly busy.

I have visited so many places in so little time.  I was asked to start an Aikido Program in a health club in Cabo San Lucas.  I think I may pass on the offer, or I'll set someone up with the opportunity.

It is the most beautiful place here.  The growth is phenomenal.

Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>09-30-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3076">
	<title><![CDATA[Mexico Aikido - &quot;Los Cabos&quot;]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Today I had the wonderful opportunity to visit a dojo here in Los Cabos, Mexico.

http://www.mexicoaikido.com.mx/DOJO/cabosanlucas.html

It was amazing and the students and instructor are the most wonderful and amazing people.  I got to learn about them and train with them.

Beautiful Aikido, clean technique!

The adventure continues.......

I met the Govenor of Los Cabos, I went to a club with some incredible live cuban music.....

www.shinkikan.com
aikido shinkikan]]></body>
	<date>09-27-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3074">
	<title><![CDATA[San Diego Aikikai]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Yesterday morning I had a wonderful time at the San Diego Aikikai dojo.

They have a beautiful building and wonderful mats, although they are a little old and are showing there wear and tear.

There technique is clean and fast, everyone was wonderful.

Hopefully I will find more wonderful dojos to train at durning this new adventure.]]></body>
	<date>09-23-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3067">
	<title><![CDATA[I Have The Answer!]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I went to Japan, wanting to become one of the greatest Aikidoists in the world.   17 years ago at 20 years old, a senior in College, with no idea where Honbu dojo was or where aikido is taught.  I simply left to Japan with a dream.

It took me two months to get situated and find Honbu dojo and nearly 6 years to leave.

I went to Japan with a dream, a thought, I wanted to learn Aikido from the best so that I could be like the best.  

It's been a bumpy road, with lots of interesting turns, lots of stop signs and lots of miraculous outcomes.

I must admit that all this time I thought I was trying to learn aikido but recently discovered that it wasn't aikido that I was learning.

Life is so amazing and beautiful.  

Erik Calderon
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>09-05-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3056">
	<title><![CDATA[Albuquerque Aikikai]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Took a very long and beautiful trip.

I traveled to Sonora, El Paso, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City and Dallas.

I had the wonderful opportunity to finally get in a practice with Albuquerque Aikikai during my trip.

It was wonderful. Fast paced, clean technique and of course a beautiful dojo with great mats!

The dojo has wonderful members, and best of all, it was an hour of training with no talking!

Erik Calderon
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>08-16-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3044">
	<title><![CDATA[How to Explain the Unexplainable]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last night, I taught class again.  I've been trying so hard to stay away from teaching, but when the time comes, I step up and teach.  Funny thing is that I learn so much more from teaching.

It's so hard to explain in words what I realized last night.  Let's just say that it's hard to explain the stuff that you can't explain.  I think that about sums it up.

The techniques that I am focusing on are designed to use the force and the energy of the person attacking to throw, pin or subdue him/her.  The only way to learn how to do this is to actually have someone attack you.  That in itself is a great feat, and the first very important step to learning the techniques.

If you think carefully about it, by trying to throw or pin your partner, you are actually attacking them.

So then, what do we focus on?  Harmony, Peace, Love,……  Easy to say, easy to read, but how do we do it?  

One important point: the person that is doing the technique is the one that needs for focus on these things, not the one attacking, he/she needs to focus on attacking.

Sounds kind of hard to be able to flip your mindset so fast while you are training.  You attack four times, left…right…left…right, then you have to change your mindset to Harmony, Peace, Love, and get attacked four times, then back to attack mode.

I guess that is an important part of learning the technique…..flexibility of mind.

Good luck!

Erik Sasha Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com"]http://www.shinkikan.com[/URL]]]></body>
	<date>07-24-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3043">
	<title><![CDATA[Nirvana]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Had an enlightening experience on Wednesday night.

The sky was beautiful from pink, to red, to firery orange.

Satori.]]></body>
	<date>07-20-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3038">
	<title><![CDATA[Worthless Warrior]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last night, was by far the toughest class I've had to deal with these days.

I started off with 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, 100 back extensions, 50 squats.

I was sore from the previous days work out, and felt like I had no strength left in me for class.

Every single technique throughout the class was impossible. No one could I throw, No technique could I perform.

Totally stuck, with everyone, with every attack.

I felt worthless by the end of the class, exhausted and spent.......

I have to admit, though, I was the only one that made the whole class with out having to take a rest......must be back in shape.

I had the most interesting conversation with Mike W. while he and Panda Conqueror were trying to catch their breaths after training with me.......

Can't remember the exact words, but Mike kind of asked me (because I couldn't perform a single technique on him) Is it OK for me to keep getting you.....

For my personal training and my personal Aikido, it's not how many times you get the technique, but how many times you fail.

If I get attacked 10,000 times and can truly perform the technique once, then for me that's great......why......truly because uke is attacking me.

It doesn't matter how long you've done Aikido, the only thing that truly matters is the moment. A beginner can perform the technique better than someone that has been doing aikido for 50 years, if he is there at the moment. Some people call it luck, some people call it "the zone", it's all the same to me.

Finally brings me back to the same question.....why am I really doing Aikido?

While I was in Japan, Kato Sensei would repeat, "Aikido is not about throwing." Sometimes I wonder, what it really is......

Erik Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>07-12-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3036">
	<title><![CDATA[An Incredible Shihonage]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last night I had a wonderful time teaching the class.  Don couldn't make it to teach, I was a bit disappointed because I wasn't going to get to train, but...........

Towards the end of class I was showing the technique of Yokomen-uchi shihonage.  Anguel was my uke.  He is a tough guy!  Always gives me a hard time and very strong attacks.

He went to strike........I slowly performed the technique of shihonage.

Slowly I picked him up off his feet........took him around and..........threw him to the ground.  The whole time, his feet were about two feet off the ground.  I wish I could have had a video recorder going.

I got home last night and was having a nice conversation with my wife.

For the first time, she told me she is amazed at my movements and the power of my techniques.  She said that my movements are not the same anymore.  


She asked me when I started understanding Aikido......She actually got me thinking about it.........

Wasn't until last night........funny thing is that if feels that way each time I reach a new level...wasn't till I got there that I understood it, and when I look back beyond that point always feels like I thought I had it but must not have.......

Erik Sasha Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>07-10-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3034">
	<title><![CDATA[Another Close Call with Death]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Remembering about Junichi also reminds me of the day I was in the car with Hiroshi Kato Sensei.  He was giving a month long seminar at my dojo.  His month long seminars were the most intense for me.  

We'd drink until 2 or 3 am and wake up at 6 am for training.  I'm sure we all stank like alcohol everyday.

Well, on the way to the dojo, I was driving and Kato Sensei was in the passenger seat.  We were at a red light.

He looked over and pointed.  I didn't know what he was pointing at, but I did notice that the light had turned green, and it was green (you'll understand this one if you read the previous blog.)  

I was the first car in line, and decided to look over to try and figure out what Kato Sensei was pointing at.

Can you believe, that that momemnt of hesitation, to try and see what he was pointing out saved our lives.  A car ran the red light going about 50 MPH.  I couldn't believe it.

Kato Sensei then explained that he was looking at the pedistrian crossing signal and just making a comment.

He never noticed the car that ran the red light.  I tried to explain to him what had just happened.

Erik Sasha Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>07-09-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3030">
	<title><![CDATA[Junichi Saved My Life]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I was thinking about this incident a few days ago, and wanted to include it in my blog.

While I was in Japan, I was training very hard in Aikido.  I would wake up at 4:00 am to make it to the dojo by 6:00 am everyday.  After training I would go to Sophia University campus and go to class or read books in the library.  

In the afternoon, I'd head back to honbu dojo for some more training, or I would go to the Sophia Aikikai club at the Yotusya campus to train some more.

In all, I believe I would put in 4 to 5 hours per day of training.

Well, I'd get home most days after 11:00 PM, so most days I was sleepy, even though I kept pushing myself as hard as I could.

One day, on my way to honbu dojo with Junichi, he just happened to save my life.

I was in a daze, just walking and talking with him.  We were getting close to the street, to cross.

I saw green, and to this day I swear I saw green, but the light was actually red.  I stepped into the street about to cross.  Junichi reached out grabbed me has hard as he could and pulled me down to the ground before I took that step.  That step that would have put me infront of a yellow taxi cab speeding around the curve. He would have never seen me, and I would be dead, if Junichi had not been there walking by my side.

I owe him my life.  He was a wonderful person and very sincere Aikidoist.  I'll never forget that day.

Erik Sasha Calderon
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>07-04-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3028">
	<title><![CDATA[Incredible Adventure]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last week I left for New Mexico.  We took the Mercedes and left at 8:45 PM.

We stopped about 1 hour from San Antonio to rest for the night.

My plan was to go to Albuquerque on business and train in dojo's in El Paso, and Albuquerque.

After about 2 hours from San Antonio in the middle of no where, a town called Balmorehea; population 600, The Mercedes, a 1999 500 SEL, started to over heat.  Maybe because we were driving at very high speeds for a very long time, or maybe because that car just about had it.

We didn't notice until we pulled in the gas station to put some gas in the car.  

The radiator started spitting out all of the coolant.  It was the over flow valve that just allowed everything to dump out.

Nothing was broken, no hoses loose, everything looked OK, but the engine was at over 120 degrees C.

Luckily there was a guy there at the station that claimed to be a mechanic.  He said it was the thermostat, that it was old and it was sticking.  He said for $50.00 he'll take it out for us and everything will be OK.

Amazing how people begin to loosen up and talk as they work.

After dropping one of the bolts into the engine, not knowing where the thermostat is located and four hours later, I learned that him and his friend that was helping out, where both on 10 years parol, and that they had both just gotten out of jail.  He even told us why they both went to jail (rather not post the reason here).

Finally after calling the Mercedes dealer we discovered how to take the thermostat out - 5 hours later, everything was back together and ready to go.

We pulled out of the station, everything looked good, then all of the sudden after 1 mile, the engine started to over heat again.

We pulled off the highway and ended up at another convenience store.  Turned out that the owner of this store was a prison guard that was fired for testing postive for drugs.

The mechanic came to help us out, again.  This time, he took us to a hotel.  It just happened to be a five star hotel in the middle of no where in a town of 600 people.  Incredible detail and beauty went into this hotel.  The Mechanic, really in the mood for talking explained that the whole town was at one time on Escobar's payroll.  The owner of the hotel used to be a sherif in the town, then judge, then after making so much money in the "trade", retired and built himself an incredible hotel.

We towed the car to El Paso, and that's a whole other adventure...............

Erik Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>07-03-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3018">
	<title><![CDATA[You're Playing with the Big Boys now.......]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Can't help it, but that's the song that just kept on repeating itself in my head during the lunch class......

I didn't get to train with Nabil Wednesday night, so today for the first 15 minutes, he was the only student in the lunch class.

So for 15 minute we did suwari waza kokyu ho and shomenuch ikkyo suwari waza, then Vadim came to class.

Well, after the 20 minute marker, Nabil had to rest, and then rest, again rest, and then rest again.

Nabil just started training at the dojo about a month or two ago.  He comes everyday, but today was his day to train with two black belts, myself and Vadim.  Vadim is nicked named, the pit-bull.  He is built like a fire hydrant, short stocky and extremely strong.  He has been training at the dojo for close to 8 years.  I don't think I ever been able to successfully perform a technique on him.  And today, Nabil got the best of him and of me.  Twice as good as a private lesson.

The best classes have been the ones when only one or two students show up.  Always extremely intense, never boring and always exhausting!

Can't wait to train tonight……….

Erik Sasha Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>06-22-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3016">
	<title><![CDATA[Panda Warrior Revenge]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Panda Warrior is a nick name that some of the members of the dojo gave to Marc.  They gave it to him for a reason.  He is sincere in his attacks, has an incredible amount of energy, is extremely strong, and at the same time he is very kind hearted, very soft and very cute.

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with him the first two techniques of class....suwari waza kokyuho and tachi waza shomenuchi ikkyo (oh, inbetween was katate dori tenkan, which was long and intense with Chris).  

Marc really tests me, he truly out weighs me and having to perform a technique against an attack by him makes me feel like how in the world am I going to redirect all this energy without hurting myself and crashing into him.

I feel the same way with anyone that is much bigger and stronger than me.  I just do not have the opportunity to use strength against them, and I definitely don't want to use "the powers of psychology" over them.  I think that defeats the whole purpose of becoming better.

Anyhow, last night was, again, an incredible class.  Don Ramirez, Mike Nguyen, and Vinny Nguyen give incredible classes.  It is an honor to be able to train in their classes and to train with each and every student in the dojo.  Well, I missed training with Nabil last night, but I told him that we need to train together at least once next time.

And on a special note, my wife actually came to the dojo last night and trained.  I trained two techniques with her and had the most incredible time throwing her around, but she got me back real good….came up with a new moto……"Never mess with your wife, you don't have a chance in hell….."


Erik Sasha Calderon
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>06-21-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3010">
	<title><![CDATA[Up to 100%]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[On Wednesday night, Yulia made sure to bring up my statistic to 100%.  I could not perform a single technique on her.  It is amazing and at the same time extremely interesting to discover and experience different people with different levels of strength.

The training on Wednesday night was intense and the techniques hard to perform.  I've always felt like Aikido is a cycle, some days I can perform the techniques without a single problem, then there are the days I can't, I'm using too much strength and no technique.  I have notice though, that although the cycle never goes away, the interval gets smaller and my mistakes go unnoticed and unfelt by uke.

It has nothing to do with anything on the outside of me, and everything to do with what is in me, what is going on in my mind, in my heart, and I wonder how to even begin to work on that.   

Erik Sasha Calderon
www.shinkikan.com
Aikido ShinKiKan.]]></body>
	<date>06-15-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3007">
	<title><![CDATA[Getting into Shape]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Slowly, little by little I think I might be getting back into shape.  I was actually able to make the whole class yesterday without having to actually sit out to catch my breath.

I do have to comment, that Yulia attacked me like she never has before on Friday.  She was committed to making sure that my statistic of 88% went up to 99%.  It was a wonderful feeling to have such an honest committed attack.  I really felt like there was not much I could do.

Don Ramirez is doing a wonderful job teaching the classes...WOW, I am just impressed.  Last night the techniques he taught, the flow of the class and the attendance was incredible.

I got to train with Mike, Marc, Steve, Jordan, Anguel, Nabil, Adam...I'm not sure why Yulia stayed away from trainning with me, and hopefully I'll get to train with everyone next time.

As I looked out before class started, I was so reminded about the nick name Kato Sensei gave my dojo....."The Gorilla Dojo". 

Feels like to the good old times!

Erik Sasha Calderon
www.shinkikan.com
aikido shinkikan]]></body>
	<date>06-12-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="3002">
	<title><![CDATA[Challenges of Aikido]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Each day, each moment presents itself with a new challenge.  Somestimes I am able to "out perform" the challenge.  Sometimes I am overcome.

There is an amazing bridge that I can make between that and my Aikido training,.

I can't begin to express how wonderful the trainnig at the dojo has been coming along.  How frustrating to have students attacking me so hard that I simply can't get the techiques about 88% of the time.  But, I must admit, that that one time I get it, I really get it and to feel it's strength and power, to see it's effect on Uke, especially after the fact is wonderful.

Feels like I'm at Honbu dojo again, training my heart out, sweating blood.

Aikido ShinKiKan

www.shinkikan.com

Erik Sasha Calderon.]]></body>
	<date>06-06-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2995">
	<title><![CDATA[May 2007]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Just about catching up after a 3 week business trip to Mexico.  

The dojo is running incredibly smooth and the members did an incredible job while I was gone.  It's wonderful to see members working together, training and teaching.

Last week I was very impressed with everyone's level of training.  As I sat there and watched, literally sat there because I was so tired from being beat up, I noticed that no one was getting the technique.  Everyone looked out right awful!  

I was actually very happy to see this.  It meant that the intensity of the attacks has increased substantially.  It means that the students are working very hard at getting the techniques down.  It means that no one is taking a fall, but putting the body and soul into the attacks.  

I strongly believe that this kind of training makes a person better and stronger at the techniques of Aikido.

It was great to see "ALL" the students having to sit down and take a break from the intensity of the class.  And all that, thanks to Mike Nguyen for teaching the class.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, Mike.

Shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com

Erik Sasha Calderon]]></body>
	<date>05-29-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2987">
	<title><![CDATA[Getting Back]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Wow, how times really flies.  I went to Mexico for about 3 weeks.  What a trip.  I never realized how beautiful Mexico is.  I went to 20 different cities from North to South and from East Coast to Wes Coast.  Most cities I went to had an Aikido dojo, and I tried my hardest to visit, but just couldn't find the time.  I was working from 6:00 am to 12:00 am everyday.


I did get to meet a man that had done Aikido for a very long time, so we just sat and talked.  It was a wonderful talk, especially his stories about how he had had to use Aikido in many real life situations.


Getting back to the dojo, and starting to train harder than ever.  I'm so impressed with the level that Don, Mike, Rafael, Vinny and Hector have pushed the students to.  Mike told me that everyone would be black belt level by the time I got back, and he wasn't kidding.


ShinKiKan.

Erik Sasha Calderon
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>05-18-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2959">
	<title><![CDATA[4/9/2007]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Another week has gone by.  They go by so fast, seems like I don't even have time to look back.

This week we are focusing on Ukemi.  Why, because the Japan Festival is coming up.  Maybe we can make the Aikido look a little more beautiful, but really, the only reason I do it because when you are in front of a crowd, you tend to get an addrenaline rush.  This rush makes you stronger and throw harder.

Again, I think the only purpose of ukemi is to protect yourself, so I only teach it once or twice a year.

I am planning an Ukemi seminar in July.  Brian Tritico and myself will put together an incredible seminar on how to take ukemi, not so you make your partner look good, but, so that you can protect yourself and easily reverse any technique on anyone (of course, unless you are truely thrown, then you don't need to learn ukemi.)

Erik Calderon
[URL="http://www.shinkikan.com"]http://www.shinkikan.com[/URL]
aikido shinkikan]]></body>
	<date>04-09-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2955">
	<title><![CDATA[4-4-2007]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I have been so busy these days, that I have not had time to enjoy the forums, nor make a blog entry.

I started a company last month, that has begun to grow rapidly and I'm starting another one this month.

So, just to keep track, I'm on the board of directors at the Pines and APAHA, I manage and own the ShinKiKan dojo and The Japan Culture Center, I just started a marketing firm and I'm starting a food import/export business.  

All these things keep me busy and keep my life very exciting.  Kind of like the way of Aikido, never the same twice, always changing, always improving!

Like I said in one of the forums, opening the dojo was the best thing I ever did!

www.shinkikan.com
aikido shinkikan
Erik Calderon]]></body>
	<date>04-04-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2947">
	<title><![CDATA[Ikkyo]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Yesterday, 3-21-2007, I only taught one class.  

As President of the Homeowners Association,  it takes me away from the dojo once a month, and being a board director on the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association (www.apaha.org), takes me away from the dojo another few nights per month.

So, I teach less, but focus more on what is being taught; and yesterday we focused on Ikkyo.

We started out with simple kirikaeshi with the bokuto.  Back and forth, back and forth, over and over again.  Trying to help the students get the feel of the movement of lifting up the sword and going forward, using the hips and not the feet.

After that we did Kumi-tachi Ikkyo (A composed technique of the First Teaching).

I was trying very hard to make the association for the students between the movement and the technique; from sword to no-sword.

Finally towards the end of class we got into Shomen-uchi Ikkyo.

Yesterday, everyone really understood the association between the movement with the weapons and without (hopefully they won't forget.)

Sometimes it's very hard to see how the movement with the weapons translates into the movement without the weapons, but it's there and it will make sense when you see it.  If you don't see it yet, keep studying the movements.  Keep analyzing; keep questioning and little by little things will come together.

Erik Sasha Calderon
www.shinkikan.com
aikido shinkikan.]]></body>
	<date>03-22-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2935">
	<title><![CDATA[A Memory of Japan]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I was eating lunch at the cafeteria in Sophia University in Tokyo, it was the Yotsuya campus.  A fellow Aikidoka from the Sophia University Aikido group asked me a question about Aikido...Can't really remember what it was, or maybe I don't want to...but I do remember him all of the sudden telling me that I knew nothing of Aikido.  

I didn't say anything, just kept quite, and thought to myself; wow, I train 5 hours a day, spend 8 in the library reading books about Aikido, Zen, Budo, etc... I never really see this guy train, mostly on social occasions, and he is telling me I know nothing of Aikido.

I just kept quite, and thought to myself, this guy is an idiot.  Maybe he feels insecure around me and has to try and verbally put me down so he can feel better.  Maybe he's just delusional.

Anyhow, I just walked away, a bit upset that I had to deal with him.  For him to ask me an opinionated  question, then put me down the way he did.

Funny though, because this was the very first time it happened, but has prepared me in a strange way, for the multitude of times it has happened since, and still I just keep quite, turn away and continue to improve my Aikido.

Erik Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>03-14-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2930">
	<title><![CDATA[Furious Pace 3-9-2007]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I've been keeping the classes at a furious pace having everyone in the class attack one person, or creating goups of people with three or more students attacking one person.

This has really forced everyone to focus on the effectiveness of a technique against multiple attackers.  It has also forced everyone to focus on movement vs. technique.

I truly enjoy participating in these classes, it almost feels like I'm back in Japan.

Erik Calderon
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>03-09-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2925">
	<title><![CDATA[Kokyu Ho Workshop]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[The work shop was harder than I expected.  Three hours of breathing, and towards the end, I realized even that was not enough.  One simple thing to focus on and three hours was not enough.  But that gives us a life time to practice.  The end of this workshop is just the beginning of something to focus on everyday, and it's something we can focus on anywhere.

It was amazing to see the impact when everyone in the workshop started focusing on Kokyu (Breath).  Even the beginners where able to perform the techniques as if they had been doing Aikido for 20 years.

I really got to see the point made in Zen, that there is not past, no future, only the present, the here, the now.  

If you weren't able to make the workshop, please ask your fellow students about it.  Ask them to give you all the details, to share with you, and put that into every class.

After three hours of talking, I hope I don't have to talk again until next year!

Erik Sasha Calderon
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>03-03-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2923">
	<title><![CDATA[Week of Feb 26-2007]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Classes have been going at a furious pace.  Several students have had to bow out or pass out.

When classes go this good, there's not much to say or write.  It's just an experience; becoming aware all around, feeling the attacks and the blending, not having the opportunity to stop and take a rest.

This is the kind of training that I enjoy, because it's one hour of hell, and the rest of the day of bliss.  It's nice to see members walking out of the dojo with a smile on their face....maybe their smilling because the class is finally over.

Erik Calderon
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>03-01-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2920">
	<title><![CDATA[Week of Feb 18, 2007]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[This week we studied Aikido in depth.  It was fun. Monday was not as hard as Wednesday, and Friday was by far the hardest.

Friday night quote to students: 

"I'm going to make the training a bit harder and harder each day this month, until each one of you quit; then I'm going to close the dojo."

All in all, it was hard and fun!  

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>02-24-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2910">
	<title><![CDATA[Aikido Basics]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Learning techniques on the mat is one thing.  Learning the discipline and respect is another.  ShinKiKan members should always remember this.

These are the basics in Aikido: respect.
-We respect the dojo by showing up on time
-We repsect the dojo by paying the dues on time
-We respect the mat by taking our shoes off before getting on
-We respect the sensei by being on the mat at least 2 minutes before lessons begin
-We respect the sensei by bowing to him at the beginning and end of class
-We respect the sensei by giving him an honest attack, even if he fails to do the technique
-We respect fellow students by bowing to them each time we are about to practice
-We respect fellow students by bowing each time after practicing a particular technique and at the end of class
-We respect our fellow students by giving honest and sincere attacks according to their level
-We respect our fellow students, sensei and dojo by not talking in class

These are just a few basics, maybe I'll work on the list more later.

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>02-16-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2895">
	<title><![CDATA[Tenkan]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[This week we've been working on Tenkan.  It's easy to do tenkan against a grabbing attack, or even with a shomen strike.

Can you do tenkan against a Yokomen strike?  How about a Yokomen strike with a sword?  

The movement tenkan should work just as well with no changes against a shomen as well as a yokomen attack.

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com
]]></body>
	<date>02-09-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2894">
	<title><![CDATA[Essay by Monique Lloyd - Weapons Seminar]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Aikido Weapons Seminar:

Most people attend seminars in order to learn something new, and the quality of the seminar is often decided by how much new information is obtained by the attending person.  The weapons seminar was greatly different from the typical seminar; rather than placing a focus on new techniques, the seminar focused on the basic and key elements that were often forgotten when performing a learned technique.   The seminar was separated into two parts and scheduled in such a way as to promote both analysis of technique and application.

The seminar was oriented for anyone, but it tended to have the greatest impact on those who had an average or better than average understanding of techniques in Aikido, and it seeked to improve fundamental elements in them through the integration of weapons.  The focus of the seminar was to explicate the basics, not only to break them down but also to study them as a whole.  By taking an entire day to begin gaining a general understanding of key concepts the seminar served as a means to correct habits and focus on technique versus visual replication and repetition.


Essay written by Monique Lloyd - 1st Kyu
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>02-07-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2886">
	<title><![CDATA[1-31-2007 Lunch Class]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Koshinage was the theme of the lesson.  We performed the following techniques:

Swari waza Kokyu ho
Swari waza Tenchi nage
Swari waza Ryote dori koshinage
Katate dori koshinage
Kata dori Koshinage
Ryote dori Koshinage
Shomenuchi Koshinage
Shomenuchi Ikkyo henka waza Koshinage
Shomenuchi Iriminage henka waza Koshinage
Katate dori Shihonage henak waza Koshinage

The point of the lesson was to see the importance of using your hips in all techniques and how this hip movement can make each and every technique much more powerful when performed.  

We also went over some techniques with the jo and how the movement of the hip makes a big difference when using weapons as well.

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-31-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2884">
	<title><![CDATA[1-28-2007 Weapons Seminar]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[All I can say is, "WOW!"  That was a great seminar.  Great in the participation and everyone's concentration.  We went over a lot and even ran out of time.  We covered the following:

Kumi Tachi Ikkyo - Gokyo
Kumi Jo Ikkyo - Gokyo
Kiri Kaeshi with the Jo and the Bokuto
Misogi no Jo
An incredible, "SIMPLE" lunch with lecture.

And 6 hours was not enough.  You guys were right, one day is not enough, I think we could have easily gone into the morning with this stuff.  And, this is just the basics.

Please feel free to add you comments about the seminar, any questions you may have or any disagreements.

After five hours of training, I can truely feel a difference in the movement of my legs.  THEY ARE SORE!!!!

Again, thank you so much for being a part of this seminar, for putting in your time, energy and effort to learn and enjoy the spirit of Aikido.

Erik Sasha Calderon
aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-28-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2881">
	<title><![CDATA[1-25-2007 Beginner Class]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Techniques:

Kokyu ho
Ikkyo
Shihonage
Kotegaeshi

The focus in class, was not so much the techniques, but the importance of having an open mind.  

When someone reaches out to grab, how do you know they are going to grab, what if they kick, punch, elbow, or bite....Let's be honest with ourselves.

When you are learning the techniques, most of the time, you maybe moving in a way that would not be beneficial if the attack was something else.  But you're learning to make the moves.  You are focusing on the steps and what is "supposed" to happen to Uke, the one attacking.

It's OK to do this, but always, always, keep in your mind the fact that your uke, attacker, could be doing anything.  He could be kicking you, punching you, elbowing you, head butting you, even a bite is pretty effective.  (I have a friend that went to the Vietnam war, he told me a personal story of his...one of his Vietnamese friends saved his life by biting and tearing out the throat of the man that was standing behind him about to kill him)

I would call this, Keeping you Mind Open.  In the long run, when you start to get better at the techniques, you will truley excell if you always keep this in you mind.

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-26-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2876">
	<title><![CDATA[1-22-2007 Lunch Class]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[The focus of today's lesson was Yon-Kyo.  The fourth teaching.

We performed the following:

Shomen-uchi - Yonkyo
Ai-hanmi katate-dori - Yonkyo
Ushiro dori - Yonkyo
Yokomenuchi - Yonkyo
Swari-waza shomenuchi - Yonkyo
Morote dori - Yonkyo

The idea was to focus the mind, build discipline, concentration and focus.  What is the Spirit and how can we tap into it?

The attacks today were very sincere, very uncooperative, and very revealing.  Through this, we can connect to the martial spirit.  It will help us build the focus, discipline and concentration.

www.shinkikan.com
aikido shinkikan.]]></body>
	<date>01-22-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2875">
	<title><![CDATA[1-20-2007 Japanese Consulates House]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[On Saturday night, my wife and I were invited to the house of the General Consulate of Japan to experience a private concert by Shonosuke Okura, Noh Drummer, http://www.hiten-jp.com.  I only write about it,  because I was thoroughy impressed with his speech and with his music.

The principles of which he uses for the Noh Drum are very similar to the principles of Aikido.  His stance, posture, and gaze was also identical to the way we train in Aikido.

His idea's of pursuing the drum for peace are the same as Morihei Ueshiba's ideas of pursuing peace through Aikido.

It was a beautiful performance.

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-22-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2871">
	<title><![CDATA[1-19-2007 Lunch Class]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Another wonderful class in the cold weather.  Last night we actually got the chance to open up all the doors and "cool" the place down just a bit more.  And I can't believe that not one person complained about their toes going numb.

Today we covered the following techniques:

Swari-waza Kokyu-ho
Ryote-dori Tench-nage
Shomen-uchi Ikkyo Omote
Shomen-uchi Ikkyo Ura
Shomen-uchi Nikyo Ura
Kata-dori Nikyo Omote

Weapons:
Bokuto - Nikyo

Very fast and powerful class.  Being able to express Aikido is very important part of learning.

We focused a lot on Kokyu and using your body, lowering your center to perform techniques.  This is probably why people sometimes think that the shorter you are the better your Aikido is.  I tend to disagree.  Learn to lower yourself, bend your knees and it doesn't really matter how tall you are, nor your uke.

aikido shinkikan
www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-19-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2868">
	<title><![CDATA[1-17-2007 Lunch Class]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Techniques covered:

Swari Waza Kokyu ho
Kata-dori Nikyo
Kata-dori Kokyu-nage
Katate-dori Shiho-nage
Yoko-geri (Turning Kick) Kokyu-nage
Mae-geri (Front Kick) Kokyu-nage

Focus was on turning and entering, or just simply stated - Irimi.
Also, it was wonderful again training in the cold weather, and although only two students showed up, it was worth it.

Erik Calderon
Aikido ShinKiKan
http://www.shinkikan.com

]]></body>
	<date>01-17-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2867">
	<title><![CDATA[32 degrees - Freezing]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last night it was 32 degrees.  ONLY TWO people showed up to the dojo.  WOW!

Well, I have to admit, it was a great class.  We actually got to train with numb toes.

The focus last night was on kokyu.  Kokyu movement into Ikkyo, Nikyo and Sankyo.

The mind needs to draw the attack into the center.  The attack needs to be sincere, especially when it's cold.  We need to learn to direct that attack.

http://www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-17-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2864">
	<title><![CDATA[Introduction]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[This blog is mostly intended for the ShinKiKan student.  Here I will try to post a journal of what was covered in class and some of the points to think about. 

http://www.shinkikan.com]]></body>
	<date>01-16-2007</date>
</blogEntry>


</blogEntries>