My teacher is ill- who should I train with now?

My teacher has become very ill and will no longer be able to train us and I was hoping to get some insight from you folks.

Our style is Shin Shin Toitsu although we are an independent dojo and not affiliated with the Ki Society. The closest Ki Society school is several hours from here...

There are several quality schools in the San Diego area but I do not have any idea which is the "closest" to what I have been training in.

Anyone in this area want to chime in? I am only an intermediate student so I am hoping for some advice-

Thanks for reading!
Jamey

Are the senior students not taking up your ill teacher's classes?

Sorry to hear your teacher is ill.

What about the senior students at your dojo? When my teacher was recovering from a knee operation, all the yudansha in our dojo took turns teaching, that worked out quite well.

kvaak
Pauliina

James,
Marty Katz Sensei (Godan, AAA) is in the San Diego area and is a direct student of Fumio Toyoda Shihan, who in turn, was a close friend and student of Tohei Sensei. His dojo is called Ryushinkan Dojo. He is a magnificent instructor, both very soft and light, and very, very martial as well.

We are located in Vista at 1310 North Melrose and you are always welcome to visit and train with us. Ken MacBeth Sensei (Godan, AAA) is also a direct Toyoda student. Drop in if it is convenient any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday evening at 6:30.

We wish your instructor a speedy recovery.

Thank you for your response(s). My teacher was retired until about 1 year ago when we talked him into teaching again....He has several blackbelts who are off doing there own thing but I am interested in good local instructors. I am the senior student and Sempai at this time (Nikkyu) and am not nearly qualified for leading anything other than stretching exercises- LOL

Mr. Hackett, Sensei Bud (Kassahn) speaks VERY highly of Katz Sensei I just did not realize he was in town. I also did not know the lineage- Thank you I will DEFINITELY stop by!

I am also determined to look into both of the Yamate-Ryu and Daito-Ryu Aikijutsu schools that are nearby (Poway?)

Thanks again for your well wishes and take good care!
James

James,

Come up and visit on Saturday mornings at 9:00AM. Rafael Martinez (Sandan, AAA/Shodan, Goju-Ryu/Shodan, Yoseikan) teaches an Aiki Jujitsu study group at our dojo and sometimes trains back and forth with the folks in Poway. He won't be here this Saturday, but will return on the 25th. We are just north of the 78 on Melrose, about 45 minutes from downtown.

Agree with Michael. AAA is Aikikai but they have retained a lot of the ki society stuff. I'm ex-AAA.

I'm sorry about (and for) your teacher.

You are welcome to come visit Aikido of San Diego, where I train, and see if it's a good fit for you. I am a lowly 5th kyu, but we have a lot of good teachers (8 or so) in addition to Dave Goldberg Sensei, who teaches at least one adult class every weeknight. We are just off Friars Rd., just east of 1-15.

The 90-minute Friday class starts at 6:15, if you're free. And coming up on Sept. 24-26 we have a seminar with Mary Heiny Sensei.

We are in Division 3, I think, of CAA, under Robert Nadeau Shihan. You can learn more at www.aikidosd.com.

Also, the husband of one of our students trains elsewhere with a small group doing some form of classical ju jitsu, IIRC, in the Del Cerro area. Drop me a note if you'd like me to get you contact info for him. I think it's a little group, and not likely to have a web presence or business location.

James Gibson wrote: Thank you for your response(s). Mr. Hackett, Sensei Bud (Kassahn) speaks VERY highly of Katz Sensei I just did not realize he was in town. I also did not know the lineage- Thank you I will DEFINITELY stop by! I am also determined to look into both of the Yamate-Ryu and Daito-Ryu Aikijutsu schools that are nearby (Poway?)

It sounds like you've got some good references already. If you're still exploring other schools as well to see what's out there, the place I'd train if I moved to San Diego is in Alpine. http://www.defensivesystems.com/aishinkan/index.htm

Best,

I know Fox Sensei from my other life and he's the real deal. Alpine is not far from downtown SD, but a tough drive at that time of day due to traffic, probably an hour most days.

My apologies for popping in again... I realize my dojo is probably not what you are looking for. I don't know if any of these will be, either, but here is a collection of 10 links I've accumulated for local Aikido dojos over the past year or so:
http://www.delicious.com/LindaEskin/..._County+Aikido
Maybe one of them will be of interest.
All the best,
Linda

I met MacBeth Sensei a couple times very friendly. His dojo would be a place I would checkout.
I'm going to start a thread someday, How did you pick where you train.

In addition, a simple suggestion:

If your teacher can still talk, go and ask him for suggestions.

You may find out you are not the only one who is being helped by the act.

BR
Amir

Hi Michael,

Michael Hackett wrote: I know Fox Sensei from my other life and he's the real deal. Alpine is not far from downtown SD, but a tough drive at that time of day due to traffic, probably an hour most days.

Yeah, good stuff. I reckon if I moved to San Diego, I'd study the best location to live to minimize that experience, but.. <shrug> the drive to my dojo from San Jose has as it's final stage, a 12 mile drive up a twisty mountain road that has been known to make people car sick who don't get car sick.

I have one guy who makes the drive twice a week. It's all about what you want to study, really.

Personally, I kind of like having that kind of obstacle. It eliminates the casual folk, not that I have anything against them, but I don't really have the space for a bunch of casual students.

Best,

Thank you VERY MUCH for the recommendations!

Linda Son- I appreciate your advice I have read your posts in the past and you clearly represent the Aiki spirit! I will stop by Goldberg Sensei's class.

Michael Son- So that Sensei teaches Aikijutsu at your aikido dojo? Do you know if he is Daito-Ryu or Yamate-Ryu or other? Thanks for the info.

I have been devastated about the failing health of my teacher but am now motivated and excited to get out and see what is available for me- I know I am VERY fortunate to be in San Diego with soo much Aiki talent close by! I was thinking about Chiba Shihan's school as well as Sunset Cliffs Aikido with Bernice Tom Sensei, but really want to observe the Aikijutsu as well.

Thank you all for your kind words and suggestions- as someone who has 20 years of experience in the striking arts and only a few in Aiki, I can clearly state that I will be a student of Aiki forever, folks from the striking arts are RARELY this unbiased of helpful!

James

James,
As I mentioned in a previous post, Rafael's background includes Yoseikan Budo and his study group primarily works in that arena, but also explores the Daito Ryu. These aren't formal classes in the sense that a student will achieve rank through testing, etc., but are a study group led by a very experienced martial artist. Often you will explore a "traditional" Aikido technique to its' aikijujitsu roots. I hope that's a helpful description. Come see for yourself - great way to spend a Saturday morning.