Griffith Shukan News

Tuesday , 16^th  December   2008 

CONTENTS:   

1.     3 Week Christmas Break - Nathan Dojo - Reminder

2.     Everton Hills Dojo Gradings 8th December 2008

1.     3 Week Christmas Break - Nathan Dojo - Reminder

Our last class for the year will be held on Sunday 14^th December, after which we break for 3 weeks.  The first class back in 2009 will be on Tuesday 6^th January.  Please note that the dojo will be closed for this period to both adults and children.  If you need an Aikido fix during that time, you will have to gather a couple of friends and practice your weapon katas in a park (at your own risk).  For safety sake and as a condition of our insurance cover, nobody will be permitted inside the dojo over the break to practice, even if you have an instructor with you.   As you can appreciate, the dojo is a place for formal classes only. 

2.     Everton Hills Dojo Gradings 8th December 2008

On Monday evening, 8^th. December, Everton Hills Dojo staged gradings for both Aikikids and Adults. Matthew Taylor and Marcus Molloy commenced proceedings by grading for their Yellow Level followed by Sean Richardson doing his Orange Level. All the Aikikids showed a good execution of their techniques and have all demonstrated a helpful and supportive attitude with their colleagues in their training. That atmosphere is really conducive to learning and  to safety and I look forward to watching their progress as their understanding grows.

 During the Adults class, Matthew Hede graded for 7th. Kyu and his techniques were excellent, just ask Craig who was his uke! That first grading can be quite daunting because there’s an element of the unknown about it plus the fact that all of a sudden you are out the front with everyone watching. For later gradings you know the format and over time, you gradually refine and learn more about the techniques. It was really rewarding for me to see Matthew grade so well. As I often say, hopefully I can save Matthew and all other students lots of time as they progress by pointing out all the mistakes I made so that they can avoid them!

Again in the Adults class there is a wonderfully enthusiastic, helpful, supportive and encouraging atmosphere and that helps us all to learn. All students made great improvements this year and that is also really rewarding for me. It is also a direct result of your dedication and attitude. Well done to everyone for a great year.

 Rod Nixon-Smith.

Griffith Aikido Newsletter Editor

Shirin Mohebbi

Email:  shirin(AT)internode.on.net