Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Congrats to students who tested 3/24/10

Name__________________Rank

Den Go__________________4th kyu
Andy Hanson_____________4th kyu
Rosemary Martin__________5th kyu
Joel Schwarz_____________5th kyu
John Morgan_____________5th kyu
Evin Thomas_____________6th kyu
Kyle Peters______________6th kyu
Sal Chavez______________6th kyu
Kalani Kanekoa___________6th kyu

Jessie__________________7th kyu
Kyra___________________7th kyu
Dalton__________________8th kyu
Oren___________________8th kyu

Monday, March 29, 2010

Let the appropriate actions begin!

Hello fine people.

This week’s practice is on TAKEMUSU AIKI, and my definition of Takemusu Aiki this week is; Applying the most appropriate action to any situation.

ON THE MAT:
1. Understand the practice, and do your best while enjoying the journey.

2. Use the appropriate amount of force.

OFF THE MAT:
1. Be flexible with life, and be ready to adjust.


This week at the Dojo:

***ALL WEEK: I would like to focus on the principle of Takemusu Aiki. BE creative in your training.

***Saturday: Sempai Training after regular 9:30am class. 3rd Kyus and above, show up and move up!

Congratulations to everyone who tested last week! Great Job!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our community service project at Paradise Park, the coordinator was very appreciative!

Let’s have a great week! Vince Sensei

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Community Service

This Saturday, March 27, the dojo will be organizing a park clean-up to help demonstrate the power of Aikido in the community. We will be meeting at the dojo at 11:15 a.m. and then heading over to Teglia Paradise Park, near 2745 Elementary Drive. The clean-up will last 1-2 hours. All of our students are welcome to come and help out. Please bring a pair of work or gardening gloves. Come and help beautify our city!
Aikido of Reno
(775) 337-8030

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Misogi and your body

Misogi is a word that means to purify. The Founder stated that all of your Aikido moves should be that you are opening up to energy so that you are in harmony with yourself and your partner.

In the Dojo:
1. Practice really taking your time to warm up, and feel a current of energy that is warm and good.
2. Gradually move with your self and your partner so that there is a feeling of harmony.


Aikido off the mat:

Be aware of your body while at work, school, or any other activity and breathe in and out through your whole body so that you can be in harmony with the task at hand.

This week at the Dojo:

***Monday, Today: It is Train at Your Level Day in all of the classes.

***Monday, Today: Beginner’s seminar at 12noon, and 7pm (we will work on info that you need for moving up, and have tea afterwards to discuss your Aikido)

***Tuesday: Momentum Day= at the 12noon, 5pm and 6pm class we will energetically work through much of the material we focused on this month. All and any student is welcome to push yourself through this fun class and add momentum to your training and the overall level of the Dojo.

***Wednesday: Testing and Demo Day: Youth and Family class 5pm, Adult program at 7pm, ask Sensei or one of the Black Belts if you are ready to do your thing.

***Saturday; tentatively I am planning to do a clean up at one of the local parks to demonstrate the power of Aikido in the community. If you would like to help, please sign up at the Dojo and be ready to feel good about cleaning our community.

Let’s have a great week of training! Vince Sensei, and thanks to all who taught and supported the Dojo while I was away on seminar. I know the grammar stinks, its misogi writing.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Conflict Resolution Seminar--Nevada Museum of Art

Vince Sensei recently taught two classes in conflict resolution at the Nevada Museum of Art—emphasizing Listen, Apologize, Solve, and Thank (LAST). Museum employees were eager to discuss situations in which conflict had arisen between patrons and staff. They identified examples including parents allowing children to touch art objects and unwillingness of patrons to check personal belongings at the door. Sensei explained “LAST” so that participants would understand it intellectually, followed by using the approach in role-playing to also learn it experientially.
Verbal interaction was the theme of the first class. Sensei said that most people just want to be heard. To communicate this effectively, he advised, “Listen and repeat back what you heard.” Second, apologize to the person for the difficulty they are experiencing followed by asking questions and offering approaches to solve the problem. Most people agreed with Sensei that they don’t like being told what to do. Finally, thank the person for bringing the situation to light and allow them to save face by expressing appreciation for their concerns. Sensei used a quiet, calm tone of voice in each example—making the case that the manner of speaking is as important as word choice. If he raised his voice in argument with the other person, it increased defensiveness and exacerbated conflict.
The second class focused on physical aspects of conflict. Sensei made the point that humans communicate with body language and gestures as much as words. We read great meaning into these gestures, even if only subconsciously. If words and body language are at odds, the words will not seem sincere. Sensei showed that different postures when standing or different ways of placing our hands or heads indicate openness, friendliness, or attentiveness to others. Conversely, looking down or standing with arms folded can be a barrier to communication, while approaching too quickly or closely can signal aggression and provoke fear or anger. The students practiced different postures and facial expressions with each other and described how they felt in response. For example, a simple change in the amount of space between people had a definite impact on their comfort level.
In the case of physical aggression—such as someone attempting to strike another —museum employees had the chance to experience the aiki way of not blocking or fighting the person’s force, but rather circling around the power and neutralizing the attack without anyone getting hurt. Sensei demonstrated this with members of Aikido of Reno.
A key message of the classes was that everyone has been in conflict situations, both verbal and physical, and they are often not handled successfully. The conflict resolution techniques taught by Sensei can apply in many cases, and these skills help people become more successful in the world of work or personal relationships. Sensei said that being non-confrontational isn’t the same as being a pushover. LAST means remaining firm yet flexible in conflict situations—creating a win-win outcome for all.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Tai-sabaki=body awareness

This week I would like to focus on body awareness. Feel your physical balance in everything that you do. Be aware of every step, every move that you make so that your body awareness expands.

On the mat:

1. Focus on feeling your balance before ever making contact with your partner. 2. Be aware of the position of where you are in relation to your partner at all times.

Off the mat:

1. See how non-aggressive postures can positively affect people around you.


This week at the Dojo:

***Tuesday: It is Train at your level day in all of the classes, keep getting better!!
***Tuesday: Intermediate seminar for the ranks of 4th and 3rd Kyus at 12 noon, and 6pm. Please help the teachers out with the training.
***Saturday: Women’s Class at 11am after the regular morning class.

Let’s have a great week practicing being aware of our body movements! Vince Sensei

Monday, March 8, 2010

Yuki=Courage

Yuki=courage

This week I would like to focus on YUKI, or courage in Japanese. As a martial artist it is important to understand YUKI. I’d like to give you a few ways to practice:

On the mat:

1. The willingness to face challenges. 2. The ability to really see yourself, and your movement. 3. Courage to challenge yourself to higher levels of performance.

Off the mat:

1. Practice having the courage to be centered, no matter what is going on.

This week at the Dojo:

***Thursday: Train at your level day in all of the classes.
***Thursday: Advanced Seminar at 12noon and 7pm for 1st and 2nd kyus.(regular class for all levels at that time also)
***Saturday: Sempai Training from 10:40am. We are going to work on some advanced stuff. Show up.
***Saturday: 7:30am part 2 of the conflict resolution class at the Art Museum. If you would like to attend, please let Sensei know.

Let’s have a great week! Vince Sensei

Monday, March 1, 2010

Best of Both Worlds

Hello fine people. In the search for getting better in the art of Aikido we have tried several different ways of using the curriculum in the Dojo to improve the way the information and practice is being dispersed. I am pleased to announce that we have decided on a combination of the traditional method, and the experimental method. I think it will be easier for all students and teachers, while also improving the quality of our Aikido experience.

1.Traditional Tests: are scheduled for each month. The requirements are listed on the wall, in your personal file, and on the laminated sheets. Find someone to work with and challenge yourself to move up to higher levels.
*** This month’s test day is Wednesday the 24th. 5pm Youth and Family class, 7pm Adult Aikido Program

2.Momentum day: is the day in the Dojo where we Practice and Demo the main focus of the Month. The intention of this day is to create a ton of momentum by forging forward practicing the suburi, principle, and technique that was the main focus of the month.
*** This month’s momentum day is Tuesday the 23rd, 12 noon, 5pm, and 6pm. These classes can help you meet the requirements of participating in Demos for each rank level.

3.Train at Your Level Day Training; These are the days that we work on material at our respective levels. Also at the 8pm classes we have Black Belts that are ready to help you work on whatever you would like. Try to find a partner for the class so that the Teachers can instruct you and your UKE.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to practice.

This week at the Dojo:
***Tuesday: Train at your level day in all of the classes.

*** Tuesday: Black Belt Seminar at 12 noon, and 6pm. (regular class still happening at that time)

***Tuesday: Parent’s meeting at 5pm, it will be short, yet we will discuss the curriculum and goals.

***Saturday: Conflict resolution class at the Art Museum, any student that would like to attend, or help, let me know.

Let’s have a great week! Vince Sensei