Having problems with message search?
I wanted to take a moment to invite/encourage the members of the dojo to come check out my Thursday night Aikido class. I'm excited for the opportunity to condense some of what I've been studying the last few years into what (I hope at least) will be a cohesive whole.
The focus of this class could best be described as "Budo Kihon", a look at some of the fundamental body skills, strategies and principles that form Japanese martial arts (budo). Aikido is the context which we will use to examine this, but many of the exercises and concepts that I'll be using come from older styles and systems of budo than Aikido. I should stress however that because these concepts are so foundational, class will be appropriate for all levels of Aikido students including beginners. I would also encourage anyone who comes to ask questions or make requests. Particularly with a smaller class, it's easier to tailor content to the interests of those attending.
My budo background encompasses a wide range of influences, from the very traditional to the not at all traditional. I received my shodan from Kurita Minouru's Seikikai Aikido, a style heavily influenced by OSensei during his stay in Iwama with a focus on weapons influenced by Nishio Sensei's Aiki-toho. I later studied with (and received nidan from) Kimberly Richardson at Two Cranes Aikido. It was there I was introduced to the Mary Heiny/Shingu influenced Aikido so common in Seattle. The last five years I've been studying with Neil Yamamoto in Icho Ryu Aikibudo (affectionately referred to as the "TNBBC" Tuesady Night Bad Budo Club, or "Yamamoto-ha Aiki Fluffy Bunny Ryu"). Neil was a student of Bernie Lau with Andy Dale, but was also influenced heavily by Don Angier's Yanagi Ryu Aiki-bugei. Neil was made the (reluctant) Chief Instructor of Icho Ryu after Bernie's retirement. As an aside, Yanagi Ryu was the family art of Yoshida Kotaro who is notable in Aikido for being the person who introduced Ueshiba Morihei (OSensei) to his Daito Ryu teacher (Takeda Sokaku). Even more recently, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a teacher out of Tokyo named Akuzawa Minouru. Akuzawa Sensei (or "Ark" as most of his students refer to him) has created a system of exercises designed to create and develop a martial body. While many of these exercises are similar to those found in Hsing-I or Tai Chi, his unique system benefits from his exposure to various Japanese koryu in order to create a system that, while influenced by Chinese arts, has a distinctly Japanese flavor.
Anyway, please feel free to stop by and check out class, or email me if you have any questions.
-Chris
The focus of this class could best be described as "Budo Kihon", a look at some of the fundamental body skills, strategies and principles that form Japanese martial arts (budo). Aikido is the context which we will use to examine this, but many of the exercises and concepts that I'll be using come from older styles and systems of budo than Aikido. I should stress however that because these concepts are so foundational, class will be appropriate for all levels of Aikido students including beginners. I would also encourage anyone who comes to ask questions or make requests. Particularly with a smaller class, it's easier to tailor content to the interests of those attending.
My budo background encompasses a wide range of influences, from the very traditional to the not at all traditional. I received my shodan from Kurita Minouru's Seikikai Aikido, a style heavily influenced by OSensei during his stay in Iwama with a focus on weapons influenced by Nishio Sensei's Aiki-toho. I later studied with (and received nidan from) Kimberly Richardson at Two Cranes Aikido. It was there I was introduced to the Mary Heiny/Shingu influenced Aikido so common in Seattle. The last five years I've been studying with Neil Yamamoto in Icho Ryu Aikibudo (affectionately referred to as the "TNBBC" Tuesady Night Bad Budo Club, or "Yamamoto-ha Aiki Fluffy Bunny Ryu"). Neil was a student of Bernie Lau with Andy Dale, but was also influenced heavily by Don Angier's Yanagi Ryu Aiki-bugei. Neil was made the (reluctant) Chief Instructor of Icho Ryu after Bernie's retirement. As an aside, Yanagi Ryu was the family art of Yoshida Kotaro who is notable in Aikido for being the person who introduced Ueshiba Morihei (OSensei) to his Daito Ryu teacher (Takeda Sokaku). Even more recently, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of a teacher out of Tokyo named Akuzawa Minouru. Akuzawa Sensei (or "Ark" as most of his students refer to him) has created a system of exercises designed to create and develop a martial body. While many of these exercises are similar to those found in Hsing-I or Tai Chi, his unique system benefits from his exposure to various Japanese koryu in order to create a system that, while influenced by Chinese arts, has a distinctly Japanese flavor.
Anyway, please feel free to stop by and check out class, or email me if you have any questions.
-Chris
Offline 
Send Email