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Monday, 3rd November, 2008
CONTENTS:
1. 2008 Maruyama Sensei Seminar Report
2. Bokkens on the Beach
1. 2008 Maruyama Sensei Seminar Report (AKA Lemon Meringue Pie)
So ends another series of seminars from Maruyama Sensei in Australia. I hope everyone that managed to attend any or all of the seminars enjoyed themselves thoroughly and was able to learn a lot more about the art they practice. In my humble opinion this was the best round of seminars yet and I hope everyone l1earns more and more every year of what Maruyama Sensei is able to teach us.
This particular seminar report is (mostly) based on events that transpired in the beautiful city of Hobart: most of which will never be spoken of be remembered fondly by all who attended. This particular seminar report is one part summary of Maruyama Sensei's seminars and one part tales of aiki travellers in Tasmania. You can decide which part is which.
Firstly, Brisbane, it was a great success I'm sure all agree. Congratulations to all who helped organise and assist to make the event possible. Especially Thom Hansen Sensei whom I am sure must be very happy with the way everything went. It was a great venue with plenty of space to learn and practice. We were fortunate as always to have many travellers from interstate that added to the experience.
Sensei was able to articulate his new exercises and warm ups very clearly and easily. The explanation of gently extending, elbow, shoulder blade, sacrum and neck 1mm was a real highlight and as one student remarked, "the best explanation of unraiseable body I have seen". It was great to see so many people from Brisbane and surrounding areas coming together to train. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend much of the seminar in Brisbane due to a busy work schedule, but that was okay because myself, Gabby and Paul packed our bags and headed off to Tasmania to get a second helping.
At this point I should remark that an Aiki holiday is one of the best ways to learn Aikido as it allows you to "relax completely" and immerse yourself in your training. And this is exactly what we did in beautiful Tasmania. Hosted by Peter Kelly Sensei in the new dojo 152 in downtown Hobart. It was nothing short of a fantastic venue, newly painted with high ceilings and a light, airy feel.
Maruyama Sensei was in a great mood after visiting some of the very old forests that can be found in Tasmania, best described as inspiring. During our training we were lucky enough to have very thorough explanations of many of the aikido arts originally taught by Ueshiba Morihei Sensei. These included many ushiro, yokomen, shomen and katadori techniques, and explanation and demonstration of kokyunage and kokyu dosa. The depth of understanding and the principles that sensei was able to teach is really quite amazing and is quite obviously the result of teachings handed down over many hundreds of years and a lifetime of refinement by sensei.
After four days of rigorous eating and drinking training we were taught the fundamentals of Yuki, Reiki and Soutai: to build and renew your ki and balance the body.
The final day was spent covering Jo and Bokken techniques and I have to say that for me personally this was my favourite part of the seminar. The bokken katas have survived practically unchanged for hundreds of years; it is truly a special art to learn.
That being said the highlight of the trip had to be the Tasmanian Forests. Did you know that Tasmania is home to the second tallest tree in the world? No? It is the swamp gum and in recent years one was found measuring 101 meters tall. They are truly breathtaking to behold and the feeling of the forest around them is something that is truly magically. I don't know if it is a feeling that can really be equalled…well unless you happen to stop by a little café in Hobart that sells THE BEST CAKES AND PASTRIES IN THE WORLD! Well that is what we reckon anyway. Okay, seriously, the pastries are not as good as the forest, but only just.
Big thanks to Al, Peter Sensei (who now weighs 1000 tonnes!), Bruce, Michael Williams Sensei and everyone else in Hobart who looked after us. You are all wonderful people…and if it is not too much trouble, could you send some more lemon meringue pie?
Domo Arigatogozaimashita,
Aran Bright
2. Bokkens on the Beach - the Time to book is now
Join us to farewell a fantastic year of training. The day will consist of two bokken training sessions with Yuishinkai's own, Murray Loader.
Norfolk Beach,
Coochiemudlo Island
Sessions 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 15:00
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bokken)
PLEASE RSVP by 10th November 2008 to jgam_rn@... or see us at Capalaba Dojo
As per the attached document we will be enjoying both beautiful Coochimudlo Island and the teachings of Murray loader for the day. Lunch will be provided as part of the cost and will act as our end of the year get together after another successful year for Yushinkai Capalaba Aikido, and our first end of year with (the official) Aikido Yuishinkai Australia.
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