hey everyone~

just wanted to give everyone an update on my wife's condition. angi was admitted
last
week to the hospital and spent a few days there. long story short, she is now
fine and
confined to home and bed rest. i apologize for missing the last couple of
classes but hope
to be in thursday. i will update then on the upcoming seminar in pensacola.
thanks for the
kind support and prayers.

with warm regards,
michael

Hello all,

Michael has spoken to Paul at AAA dojo and arranged for us to get some
kind of discount on the seminar fees for this weekend's seminar. Simply
mention to Paul (long hair and goatee) that you are from emory aikikai
when you register.  We are not really sure what the deal is, so bring
sufficient money in any case.

dan



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Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the emoryaikikai
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   File        : /Seminars/2004-12 hooker.pdf
   Uploaded by : jreading1977 <jonreading@...>
   Description : Hooker Sensei in Mars Hill

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Regards,

jreading1977 <jonreading@...>

Most of you know that I usually roll up my sleeves when I wear a long-
sleeved shirt, sometimes I push up my sleeves if I wear a sweater or
long shirt.  I learned that habit from my grandfather and my father.
Once when I was young I asked my grandfather why he rolled his
sleeves past his forearms.  His reply was, "so I can use my elbow
grease."  My grandfather was honest and hard working, and I will
always remember that he rolled his sleeves, as does my father.
Hopefully, I will be remembered someday the same way.

My story has three points.  First, newer students will look up to you
in training and ask you questions, be ready to answer them.  Second,
you succeed in aikido through hard work and honest training, be
prepared to sweat.  Third, your training will leave an impression on
those around you, act as a role model.

Just a reminder that we will NOT have class on Thanksgiving day (Nov.
25) or Sunday, Nov. 28.  Class will resume Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Kevin Sparkman Sensei will be in town for a seminar Dec. 4-5.  Please
plan on attending all classes.  There will also be activities in the
evening on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4.

There are two basic ways to walk.  One is commonly called the
“controlled fall.”  In this manner of walking, we leaned forward from
our waist in order to initiate some forward momentum.  Then the lower
part of our body -- our legs -- move forward under our upper body in
order to keep us from falling.  This is essentially the way babies learn
how to walk.

The other method of walking could be called the “evaded fall.”
Essentially, this method works by us turning our hips and lifting one
foot, initiating a centrifugal movement that propels our entire body
forward and around our stable front leg.

Both of these methods sacrifice our balance to a certain extent.  In the
control fall, our upper body leans out over our center creating a very
real balance shift forward and down towards the ground.  In the evaded
fall we sacrifice our balance by lifting one foot off the ground in
order to move it forward.  Since balancing on one leg is less stable
than balancing on both, and since we are initiating a centrifugal turn,
we’re less able to resist a horizontal force particularly to our “dead
angle” or shikaku.

The reason we tend to choose the “controlled fall” method over the
“evaded fall” is, I believe, that we have too little faith in our will,
our desire.  We don’t trust that our desire to move forward will be
enough to propel us in that direction so we compensate by leaning.  In
this way we tried to hedge our bets. Or tip the scales in our favor.
This is the same thing we do when we add a little extra muscular mustard
to a technique like Ikkyo or Kote Gaeshi.  The problem with tipping the
scales when it comes to Aikido, is that the center of the scale never
stays in the same place.  You believe you are tipping the scales in your
favor, just to discover that the center has shifted and you are tipping
scales against yourself. Another way of explaining this phenomenon is to
say that Aikido is a zero-sum activity.  This means that no one wins in
Aikido.  The best we can hope for is balance, or a tie. Rather than
tipping the scales in one direction or another, we try to become the
center of the scale.

The “evaded fall” method of walking, is based on becoming the center of
the scale.  Our balance is most centered on our front leg while we swing
our back leg around in front of us.

While, on the whole, I’ve been completely amazed by the progress the
first year students have done this semester, almost all of you move too
quickly. Not trusting your will, which is hard to do when beginning
Aikido, most of you are overcompensating by leaving over your centers.
Or, by using too much muscle.  Or, by moving too quickly. Commonly, when
you guys get stuck, you tend to add even more muscle, even more upper
body strength momentum, and even faster movement to technique in an
effort to make it work.  Just as an exercise, next time you get stuck
while doing a technique, try to subtract something from what you’re
doing.  What I mean is, try to do less than what you’re doing rather
than something more.  Instead of using more upper body strength and more
muscle, try simply moving your lower body out of the way.




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I wanted to thank Dan and Adam again for putting together the Yojimbo
party last night.  It was a blast and I can't wait until next month!!

For those of you that couldn't make it, you missed out on great
slicing action!  Hopefully you'll be able to catch the next party..

The movie will be

-- Monday, tomorrow: November 8
-- at 8pm
-- in Callaway N106
--here's a map (http://map.emory.edu/front?P_TYPE=DETAIL&P_BLDGID=1535)

Maybe bring something to drink and some munchies to pass around. email
or phone me if you have any questions (404)343-4055.

I hope to see you all there!

dan


--- Jon Reading <jonreading@...> wrote:

>
> Hey gang,  remember that there is a Yojimbo party next week on
> campus.  We'll get the time, date and location to you soon.  Please
> plan on coing if you can.  The party will be a great opportunity to
> chat with eachother without a gi on..
>
>
>
>




__________________________________
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Hey gang,  remember that there is a Yojimbo party next week on
campus.  We'll get the time, date and location to you soon.  Please
plan on coing if you can.  The party will be a great opportunity to
chat with eachother without a gi on..

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the emoryaikikai
group.

   File        : /Seminars/Sparkman 2004-12.pdf
   Uploaded by : jreading1977 <jonreading@...>
   Description : Kevin Sparkman, December 4-5, 2004

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emoryaikikai/files/Seminars/Sparkman%202004-12.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

jreading1977 <jonreading@...>

George Ledyard Sensei has a great article on this month's aikiweb
foums.  The article is about ukemi and provides some great insight to
students about ukemi and ukewaza:

http://www.aikiweb.com/columns/gledyard/2004_10.html

Class on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 will be a free class.  Due to long
lines and expected delays, it is possible that Tuesday's class may be
sparsely attended.  I would appreciate the senior student to lead
class if one of the dai sempai is unavailable to lead class.

The civil obligation of each citizen is to help determine the
leadership of this government.  Educate yourself and vote.

Please read this short article about the role of the student in the
dojo.  I want to thank Melissa for helping me proof this article and
keep it focused!

http://www.emoryaikikai.com/articles/StudentRole.html

Hey gang,

Just wanted to let you know that I have put up some class photos from
this year.

Also, there is a members album available if you want to upload any
pictures of yourself, even if they are not aikido-related.

I went to the most informative seminar last night. The chapel was crowded, the
speaker is
semi-well known, and the topic is of dire importance for the survival of the
human race:
how to survive a zombie attack. Max Brooks--Mel Brooks son--recently released a
book
on the subject and is currently in the middle of a speaking tour. Why (you might
ask) does
this have anything to do with Aikido? According to him, we are some of the most
prepared
people. He suggested that the audience take a martial art "that allows you to
get free . . .
drop down, wiggle away." This description is, admittedly, less graceful and
powerful than
Aikido actually is. I think I laughed hardest when Mr. Brooks dramatically
entered the stage
holding . . . a samurai sword. He even mentioned the need to use hips instead of
shoulders. It made my day ten times better to know that I'm prepared to take on
a
zombie--if one (or two, or one hundred) should attack. I hope this brightens all
of your
days a little too. Good night to you all.
Still smiling,
Michelle

Some light (and short) reading for class.  Last week, we began
discussing Irrimi and irrimi nage.  We will continue those themes
tonight.  Please read this brief article:

http://www.emoryaikikai.com/articles/irrimi.html

As we talk more about technique and principle, I hope to continue to
add these small comments to help avoid lengthy conversation during
class.

I have received some input that suggests another weapons order may be
needed.  Please visit:
www.arthagallery.com.  Our standing relationship with Artha Gallery
gives us a significant discount when we order in bulk.  If you are
interested, please contact me and let me know.  If we place an order,
I will only accept orders until October 31st.

These are nice weapons that are very well priced.  It is difficult to
match the quality and cost of these weapons, and we have been pleased
with them from past orders.  They are great 1st weapons for new
students.

Artha Gallery Pricing (updated Fall 2004)

Shoto - $25
Suburito - $50
Jo - $50
Bokken (plain tsuka) - $35
Jo and Bokken - $85
Aikido Set (jo, bokken and tanto) - $100
Tsuba - $5

I just ordered a gi from e-Bogu's website.  Took 3 days using ground
service, and cost less than $40, including tax and shipping.  The gi itself
( non-bleached, 450g weight, size 4) rocks and will be a durable investment.

I have been looking at e-Bogu for some time as a source for gi.  They are
not as nice as bujin, but they are much cheaper.

http://www.e-bogu.com/Aikido_s/225.htm





Jon Reading
jonreading@...

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On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to
get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement

Those of you looking for uniforms:

Check out the clearance section of ebogu.com
http://www.e-bogu.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=186



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Hey everybody!
It was really good to see you guys at the last couple
of seminars! Not only was the company good, but I
could feel how training with you guys again really
helped my aikido.
I had the discussion with a couple of you this past
weekend about how good we have had it at Emory, and
that has never been more apparent to me than now that
I've moved. The instruction is great...the dues are
dirt cheap...the facility great...on and on. I hope
all of you appreciate what you have and get the most
out of it while you're there. I know I did. I hope to
see as many of you as possible at upcoming seminars
and the occasional surprise visit to Emory!
Eric




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