BBB,
thanks for the reply-post.
Actually I wasn't inquiring on advice about Alaska. I live here.
LOL. I was asking about Aikido, but hey, that's okay.

peace.

There's just one Aikido school here. How about in Australia? What
is your impression of the footwork and techniques with Aikido BBB?

thanks,
Eric
--- In Aikido_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "budo_babe_barbie"
<budobabe@g...> wrote:
>
> Dear Eric
>
> Peace yourself. I don't know whether to be more surprised that
> someone in
> the continental US knows about Australia or that you think we can
> give you
> advice about Alaska. You know we're not in Europe, right?
>
> I know just what you mean about the belt race. Personally, I just
> start again
> every time I go to a new dojo, so I have kyu
> grade belts all the shades of the rainbow. This means I can
> color-coordinate
> with my nails, hair band or whatever.
>
> Ken Suburi Sensei always says that everything begins and ends with
> rei (I
> think everything begins and ends with rayon).
>
> I've travelled to Alaska in my Winnebago, and my advice would be to
> train in
> whichever dojo you find warmer.
>
> BBBxxx
>
> --- In Aikido_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "thecrowrains" <
> thecrowrains@y...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi group.
> >
> > I'm new here, but thought I'd join to get a broad scope of
opinions
> > on Aikido.
> >
> > I was a former student of Taekwondo for just 1-1/2 years,
quitting
> > last year. As much as I enjoyed the people and the art, I didn't
> > enjoy the "belt-race" each month to gain higher rank. It felt as
> if
> > I wasn't learning the art, rather racing for the black belt.
That
> > might sound strange, but it seemed to detract from learning.
> >
> > Prior to this, I was a student of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu,
approx.
> 8
> > yrs.
> >
> > I have since considered Aikido and Judo, as they both interest
me.
> > Are they similar only in that they involve grappling or
wrestling?
> > My local community has both arts, but maybe I can get some
> > opinions on it before committing.
> >
> > peace,
> > thanks,
> > Eric
> > ps: I'm in Alaska.