Griffith Shukan News

Thursday, 4^th September  2008 

CONTENTS:   

1.     An Appeal to Members & Friends

2.     Congratulations To All Who Graded On Saturday

3.     New Weapons DVD Available

1.     An Appeal to Members & Friends

We are looking for new premises!  As many of you know or suspect, our Nathan dojo is pretty much at capacity.  We have been consistently getting 40+ people on the mat all the way through winter.  This is unprecedented in our club.  It is very likely now that the weather is warming up that we will have 50-60 a night in the next month or two.  This is not altogether a bad thing because it means that lots of people enjoy the benefits of Aikido and it makes for a very alive and vibrant club.  However, it will get a little squeezy on the mat.  We can't add another night at our current location because other martial arts clubs use it on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.  Short term options include rearranging times & classes on our current nights.  We could also slow down the number of beginners who start each month but it’s not our preferred option because we want Aikido to be accessible to everyone.  So ultimately we need to find either a bigger space or a similar size space which gives us more access on weeknights.  To retain most of the people who currently enjoy regular training at Nathan it should probably be located in the general Southside area.  High(ish) ceilings for weapons and reasonable parking are also important.  We are a not-for-profit association so the level of rent is also an important consideration.  Whilst we are unable to afford full commercial rent, there may be commercial spaces that sit idle and need guarding during evenings and weekends that could suit us nicely.  It doesn't necessarily have to be the traditional church hall or scout hall.  So if anyone knows of a venue that might suit our needs please contact me at gary@... or see me at class.  Please put your thinking caps on! 

Many thanks.

Gary 

2.     Congratulations To All Who Graded On Saturday

Hi All

Just a quick thank-you to everyone who turned up for the gradings on the weekend (especially my fellow ukes – I certainly needed a break here and there).  We were treated to a fine display of Aikido from all involved.  Congratulations are in order to:

Highlights included some beautiful Tanninzugake from Keita  and Sandy as well as a couple of wonderful bloopers from our newest Shodan student – none other than “El Presidente” of the club (AKA Gary).  It is also a privilege to watch the progress of our more junior students as they discover for themselves layer upon subtle layer of our art.

Maruyama Sensei, the founder of Aikido Yuishinkai constantly advocates the benefits of using relaxed power – “When you relax, your Ki extends naturally…” This Ki is our connection to uke, to the universe.  It protects both uke and nage from harm while we dance and allows us to perceive and react to attacks as if they were launched at us through treacle or some other viscous liquid.

It is no magic, just the fact that a quietened mind can more easily hear the breathing of the universe.  For those who are anything like me, quietening the mind doesn’t come easy.  In fact it requires practice at every opportunity.

Relax, breathe, have fun and play safe!

Ben H.

Message From Jutta Sensei

WOW!  What a day!

From the lowest to the highest we were given fantastic performances during an almost 2 hr grading session.

It was the enthusiasm of each person grading which was so inspiring.  Not did the people grading only display great concentration to make sure to remember “moon-shadow/lizard-leg” but they also showed a great joy of being there, getting ahead and the delight in putting on a new colour belt, which for some was their very first colour.

Thank you also to Sheree for providing the celebration lunch in spite of her not having been too well.

And once again congratulations to everyone who graded including the beginners who graded on Thursday, 28^th.

3.     New Weapons DVD Available

 Michael Williams Sensei (Aikido Yuishikai - International Chief 
Instructor) has just signed off on the long awaited Weapons DVD set. 
This 2 DVD set demonstrates the Aiki-Bokken and Aiki-Jo basics, 
exercises, Tori, Kumi katas and Hitori katas professionally filmed 
with 3 different angles to choose from. As a special thanks to the 
Griffith Aikido club for their support during the making of this 
project, the first 50 copies will be available at a reduced price of 
$35 instead of the regular $45. This offer will be limited for one 
night only at the Griffith Aikido Nathan dojo on Thursday 11/9/08 
6:00-6:15pm before class.
Please note there is no EFTPOS available at the dojo.

Anyone else who would like to purchase copies for themselves or their 
dojo please contact Simon Russell   highvale@....

 I sincerely appologise for sending out the shukan news a second time this week. Technical glitch with the first attempt. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Griffith Aikido Newsletter Editor

Shirin Mohebbi

Email:  shirin(AT)internode.on.net