Aikido Shinryukan Canterbury

A few thoughts…

At our last grading we reached one of the short term goals for Aikido Shinryukan Canterbury:- to grade 100 people at any one time. Actually almost 120 students graded over two weekends nearly equally split between kids and adults, including 8 yudansha [black belts]. The adults grading alone took around 5 hours.

Why is this important? The numbers grading are a reflection of the overall health of ASC. With more members we run more classes, better gasshukus with overseas instructors such as Yamashima Shihan and host instructors for longer periods eg Masuda Shihan. This allows us to improve the level of training offered here in Canterbury. As the kids classes grow we improve the ASC profile and gradually the kids [who are the future of aikido] flow through into adults. Students who started in the kids class are now represented in all the grades from gokyu to nidan. Most importantly we continue to grow.

I believe we have now passed a threshold. We have around 30 dan grades actively training and many excellent senior kyu grades who will no doubt reach shodan in the next year or so. Significantly the instructors also are developing and “maturing” – three instructors graded this time.

The challenges that we face are basically two-fold:

1. To maintain and improve standards: we can achieve this through careful instruction, gasshukus and the use of tools such as proficiency tests.
2. To maintain cohesion i.e. ASC as one group: we can achieve this through students and instructors moving around the dojos, seminars, social groups [eg poker nights, coffee, etc].

Where to from here? The answer is simple – more students. We need to continue to attract more students, please bring your friends and talk to people about aikido. Particularly we need to grow the kids classes as they are the aikido future 15 years from now. Student growth will develop aikido here.

In the short term we need to ensure maximum benefit from Yamashima Shihan’s visit. I hope that we will have 50+ people at the seminar and pretty much all of those from Canterbury. This will ensure that the seminar will expose as many as possible of Canterbury students to a great instructor & thereby increase the groups’ knowledge base. So please come along.

Andrew Williamson

Remembrance, observation, thought & possibility

The weekend of the 28/29 June a Winter Seminar was held in Tauranga. Sawada Shihan, from the Kimori Dojo, Nagoya, Japan was the guest instructor, with Takase Shihan, National Technical Director New Zealand also present.

Five of us from Christchurch went up, Andrew, Shane, Logan, Justin and myself. Accommodation was at the Ngamuwahine Lodge about 20/25 minutes out of Tauranga, in the bush out in the middle of somewhere. Nice quiet spot ( aside from Logan’s snoring Sunday morning; amazing what sounds one can achieve with blocked sinuses), and with good amenities,..haha,.. once we had the power…!

At this point we would like to congratulate Takase Shihan and all the Tauranga crew for putting on such an awesome seminar, especially those involved with the food preparation! Classes started early Saturday morning, 7.30 in the a.m. going through to about 5p.m.; certainly one of the longest training days I have experienced for a while. And also on Sunday til lunchtime.

And with respect, this seminar was really a team effort between Takase Shihan and Sawada Shihan; a double team if you will. Takase Shihan kicked things off teaching (because i remember practising) tenchinage. Actually His theme during the seminar, if he had one, seemed to be movements initated by ryotedori taking, (and) also from kosadori, leading into ushiroryotedori. This started off with a kihon movement which then slowly changed into another approach at the way in which the joining was achieved. A change in the way one could look at the timing of the join? as in ushiroryotedori, moving with the join of the first hand taken and keeping uke in front; rather than waiting for uke to get round behind to take the (second hand?) Yes, i remember practising ushiroryotedori jiyuwaza with a local Tauranga dude (i’m good with faces, but not names; sorry Tauranga dude, you know who you are! ? ). And my tenchinage still sucks… heheh.

Sawada Shihan seemed to be interested in sabaki and joining with a light touch? Just enough pressure to stay connected; not giving uke anything to worry about or to react defensively. It’s always hard to pick on one aspect of a movement when describing what one sees because then it becomes separate, individual; not part of the whole. A half-truth…. (could be why I feel no one can ever learn anything technical from a book; misinterpretation).

Sawada Shihan’s sabaki is unusual. Most of us I guess are used to moving around the centre using 2 points of contact with the earth! Sawada Shihan moves 2 points to 1 point and back to 2 points. At the end of a straight line is a point where there is either a turning or a moving on and forward to a new focus point! I guess it depends how one perceives movement in general! I guess if one has the idea to move oneself from the centre, then it probably doesn’t matter which way sabaki is done?

The idea is one of everything coming together at one point, and then everything moving away again from that one point. Comparison:- the big bang theory, as in the universe being drawn in to its centre and then exploding outwards in all directions equally. (… did I say how hard it is to put these ideas into words? – words don’t give it justice; words can be deceptive and get one into all sorts of trouble.. ?). The only difference is that we have power to focus that idea into direction, by using the alignment of an instrument such as our bodies. One would have to be careful in that, maybe, by directing improperly would give it an opposite, a weakness, it can be seen,… or sensed. Something could latch on to it and turn against itself! One can use this idea with lineal movement through the centre (eg. fune kogi, kiri age kiri sage ) and was focused upon at times (eg. kote gaeshi nage). Now with that said, what about also changing the angle of the lineal movement through the centre to throw/take away balance, eg. irimi nage?

Sawada Shihan also taught Jo and Bokken applications, although Jo seemed to be the focus. Actually that is a fairly superficial way of looking at it. What is really taught is body movement/control. To learn a way to use one’s body to its greatest extent, without sacrificing oneself, of course. The Jo, or Bokken, gives one the tool to focus on what lines the body needs to be on (and what the hell am I doing with my hips?… still working on that one…). Although I feel that the movement in the hips created by ai tsuki is important., and the idea of keeping the body still/floating during straight line movement until the sabaki changes hanmi, turning on one’s own vertical/horizontal centre: one point. Similar to the idea of before. Of course, everything’s the same, isn’t it?…. heheh

So, all said and done, a good few days had by everyone, what with reactions like ‘Whoa!, what was that!’ accompanied by things like ‘Whoa, what was that again!?

Theres nothing like a bit of chaos and confusion to help one advance to another level, eh?

Gary Crooks – Christchurch

Disjointed ramblings of a new shodan

A week before grading….

Hmm, less than a week to grading now. Part of me thinks I should be worrying about technique, grading etiquette and so on. Yet another part of me reckons I should be taking this opportunity to enjoy my last few days of training without a hakama*, but mostly I’m just looking forward to it. Yeah, I’m nervous and I’d like some of my techniques to be a little better, but overall I’m pretty happy and eager to smash, er, “co-operate with” my ukes on the day.

Other than that, I’m trying to apply what Andrew Sensei said in the Sunday class and visualise my techniques and the kind of Aikido I want to do. (Right now, I’m visualising Shane flying gracefully through the air and James introducing himself to the mat… hey, this does feel good! )

* Wearing a hakama normally presents 2 problems for a new Shodan.

1. Having to turn up half an hour early to class until you figure out how to tie the damn thing (and staying late trying to fold it properly).
2. It’s been noted that your first few weeks as a Shodan tend to mark you as something of a target for Senseis, visiting Shihans and pretty much anyone who feels like smashing someone.

On top of this, I have a 3rd issue. My hakama has escaped and even has its own facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1276610397). So I’ll have to track it down, not to mention those responsible…

Hopefully, it’ll go somewhat according to plan (there was a plan?). I’d like to keep the waza sections at a slow pace and above all, maintain control over uke. For jiyuu, I want to surprise uke, keep them moving and unbalanced, changing the distance, rhythm and speed. In the immortal words of Irish rugby legend Keith Wood:

“All-out pandemonium based on demented harassment of anything that moves.”

Fast forward to Grading day….

So how did the grading go? Personally, I took ukemi for Ben Moulson (Sankyu), David Kirk (Nikyu) and Gert-Jan Hendriks (Sandan) and all three did a great grading. In fact, in my humble opinion, everyone did a good grading for their level, and overall, I thought the standard was excellent from start to finish. If I was to make one comment, it was that I was surprised that so many people left early. Admittedly it was a long day, but those of you that left missed some fantastic Aikido from the senior students. Watching the higher grades is also a great way to get inspiration for your own Aikido and an indication of the standard you’re looking to match at your next grading. Plus you miss one of the most important aspects of grading, the post-grading beers!

That said, it was great to see so many people take their Gokyu and Yonkyu gradings and it bodes well for the future of Aikido in Canterbury. The senior kyu grades weren’t too bad, I guess…. just kidding, I was really impressed (and obviously, impressing me is what you all aimed for! 🙂 ), and there was some awesome, flowing, relaxed Aikido. Great to see it and it really lights a fire under the yudansha to see the competition coming up behind them!

As for my own grading… it was exhausting. I have to thank my ukes, Shane, James and Justin, who probably made me look a bit better than I am (or less worse, perhaps!!). Going slow kinda went out the window in an overdose of adrenaline, though! After training so hard for 7 months, to be brutally honest, I felt I could have done better and it all came crashing down on me on Sunday night. I focused on the negatives and it wasn’t until I got back to training on Monday evening, that I realised it wasn’t actually that bad. A few kind souls even said it was pretty good and I figure it would be rude to argue with them.

Post grading thoughts…

So what does getting your Shodan actually mean? In many ways, nothing at all. Disappointingly, the shining beam of Aikido enlightenment failed to materialise the first time I put on my hakama. I’ve still got lots to learn (if anything, I’ve more to learn now than ever). According to Saotome Sensei (one of O’ Sensei’s students) a Shodan is “a beginner, no longer just a guest in the dojo, but a student with very real responsibilities. One must study the basic technical form and basic physical principle until the correct movement is automatic and feels natural.” So after all that, I’m a beginner again? Well, yes and no. A wise old student (well, it was Shane, so not sure if he qualifies as “wise”) once explained it to me like this “think of Aikido as a language. At Shodan, you’ve learned most of the words. By Nidan, you can start putting sentences together.” (sorry for ripping you off Shane, but at least I was listening! 🙂 )

Still though, I’m enjoying my re-acquired “beginnerness”. Considering I initially came to Christchurch for 6 months, I’ve made a home here and Aikido has been a big part of that. I’ve had a fantastic time getting here and I feel privileged to train with such a great bunch of people, at all levels. Looking at the Nidan gradings, I’ve a bloody great big hill to climb if I’m going to approach that standard (hang on, am I supposed to do that in 12 months? better get to the dojo!). Special thanks to all the instructors who give up their evenings, weekends and bitterly cold mornings when any sane person should be in bed to help us out. For the grading, again thanks to Shane (sorry about the knee!), James and Justin personally and cheers to everyone who got up on the day to be bounced around for other people’s amusement.

As Logan would say “Banzai Shinryukan <expletive-deleted>!”

Colin Grealy – Christchurch

From a Tyro’s perspective

Yes! I’ve finally gotten my 1st grade, Phew!! Never thought I could make it this far though but I did anyway; what a big step.

Thinking back, I was only meant to be my sons’ chauffeur when I first signed up the boys for Aikido. However, during the open day held early this year, I was invited onto the floor by Irene to have a go. I remembered I was kinda hesitant. Firstly, I was not dressed for the occasion. Secondly, I was rather embarrassed by the fact that I was sort of “big” at that time and am pretty clumsy by nature and flexibility may not be up to mark because I haven’t been stretching for a long while. Besides, I do not want to make a fool of myself. However, the friendliness and sincerity of Irene’s invite moved my heart so I threw myself into it and here I am, still going strong although I must confess to Andrew that I’ve been kinda slack lately after the grading. Oh, what do you expect! As of to-date, I have lost 10kg. since I joined Aikido in February so I need to recuperate a bit right, or else I’ll either be left with only 2 dimensions to look upon or be gone with the winds… Hahahahaha. Hey, my fellow “comrades”, if you know of someone or anyone out there desperate to loose a pound or two or even more, ask them to talk to me and I’ll tell them my secret… take up Aikido and train hard. Oops, the secret is out! Andrew, any commission for successful candidates???!!! …. Hahahahaha

So what did I benefit and learn from the few months of Aikido training? Well, besides losing a whopping 10kg. of fat, I also gained a few biceps and triceps, bruises all over my wrists and arms and knocking a few black belts (Hehehe… accidental though but I kinda enjoyed it because I often used it as an excuse to boast a little in front of my friends and church mates).

All my fellow “comrades” are very amiable and forbearing, especially the seniors and sensei. They exhibit great patience particularly when training and teaching slow learning, disobedient & giggling students like me which can sometimes drive one up the wall. Don’t believe…, ask Terry and Gary. Guarantee they will shake their heads and give a BIG, looong sigh and said: “Oh that woman… hopeless lah” (that’s from Terry speaking in Singlish style of English). Remembering, I often went into hiding in the ladies changing room pretending to take a “bio” break because I don’t like to do the Ukemi. Giggle when I have to do Kiri Ake Kiri Sage and Fune Kogi because they were just so funny. Hide behind the queue whenever I’m not familiar or not comfortable with a new technique etc.

I, being a perfectionist, focus too much on the technicality of the Aikido techniques. Stressed out by all the different Japanese technique names and worse, having to “marry” them against each physical action is really a pain in the neck at the beginning. Trust me; I was still struggling on the day of the grading, revising and reciting the names especially those footwork names. Thank goodness the footwork wasn’t tested on the grading day or else I might pretty well freeze up and standing out like a sore thumb, embarrassed, hoping that there will be a hole in the ground right in front of me where I can bury myself into because this is what happened during a couple of training sessions prior to the grading. I learnt that one actually has to let go of one’s self-consciousness, be comfortable with yourself and the uke, “thick skin” and not be bothered how others would look at you in order to bring out the beauty and effectiveness of the technique which of course is easier said than done. But, I’m learning. Therefore, sensei and fellow comrades, please bear with me.

I see Aikido as a temperate and beautiful art. The moves are gentle yet powerful, subtle yet formidable and illusive yet controlled. Some of the techniques are so beautiful that it gives you a feeling like as if you are dancing. Sometimes, I can imagine choreographing Aikido movements as dances and perhaps have it performed on stage someday… Hahahahaha.

It certainly gets tougher and tougher as the grade goes higher and higher which means more techniques to learn and remember and of course not forgetting those bombastic names that go with it. It is also more physically demanding and challenging especially in the area of agility, flexibility and of course reflex actions as well. At least that’s what I’ve gathered after witnessing & capturing the shots in my view cam of the whole grading from beginners to San Dan. Gosh, not sure if I will be able to make or even last till that day where I can put on those black pants or was it skirt???!!! Till then, guess I’m pretty much happy and contented with what I’ve achieved.

Magdalene Huang – Christchurch

Aikido friendships

Hello Christchurch and NZ from Marc in New Caledonia.

I have written some lines about my recent holiday in wonderful New Zealand.

During the annual 2008 Gasshuku in Auckland (the fourth time that French students from New Caledonia have participated) in Auckland, I was told of the June Seminar in Tauranga with Takase Sensei and Sawada Sensei. I thought I would like to attend this one and learn from these two friends whom I’d met previously in Auckland during the 35th Anniversary Seminar with the Aikido Doshu and also practice with the many students from around New Zealand.

Takase Sensei had invited N-C students to attend this June Seminar, but I had a few small dilemmas to think about i.e.: this is an important meeting for me, to learn and try to organise better Aikido in N-C for future relationships with NZ and the French Federation (could I do this??) and also, I had not experienced a Winter since Christmas 2000/New Year 2001 in France, after which I came to live amongst the coconut trees in New Caledonia.

So, 2008 for me became, Auckland in March, Christchurch in June/July, then Japan for the IAF in October. I really think this is too much!!! But the influence of Aikido is strong, and even though the months and days have progressed and I have trained in the cold. Now I am warm again back home in N-C, looking forward to my next Aikido journey to Japan in October.

New Caledonia is not like New Zealand – although it is winter here as well, the day temperatures range from 24°C to 29°C (a nice winter). And speaking of New Caledonia, we have just had a seminar in Bourail two weeks ago (Bourail is 160 kilometres north of the capital, Noumea). We finished with Shihonage in the waters of Turtle Bay.

Anyway, I asked Takase Sensei if I could come to Christchurch to observe the Gradings and maybe (please don’t tell anybody) “pickpocket” some ideas to try out (I think taking ideas from outside N-C and France, and using them, is progress!).

Also, during a trip to the South (Island), I could visit some friends whom I have met on the mats in Auckland and some people who have travelled from Christchurch to Noumea to train with us at our Annual Seminars (NZ people have now been every year in August since 2005). Takase Sensei visits N-C every year and is hosted by N-C Aikido, during which time he teaches at several Dojos. This is an excellent opportunity for a Pacific holiday, by the way!

I stayed at Kevin’s house for a few days before the Grading and this was a good time to see the Christchurch area. Thank you Kevin for the use of the warm thermals, and the beautiful mountain drives. It was interesting walking around the trees in Hanmer Springs and experiencing new smell of the forests in winter, watching the ducks standing “on top” of the frozen ponds, also enjoying the hot pools! But, who could forget “fish and chips” at the old French port of Akaroa!! But Kevin, I very much like the wood fireplace at your home, and returning each day to Pink Floyd (on the stereo). Many Thanks for your hospitality, Debbie, Kevin and Gerry.

(Marc is a big Pink Floyd fan and takes a quote here from the first ever “vinyl” Pink Floyd album he purchased, “Breath Reprise”, from the 1972 album “Money”:-

“Home… Home again..
I like to be here when I can
When I come home,..cold and tired
It’s good to warm my bones by the fire”

I think he might have been just a bit too cold on this trip. Yes?? Kevin A.)

I would also like to thank Andrew Williamson for his warm welcome to Christchurch. (I like his surprises!!) I really enjoyed training with Andrew in Auckland during the previous seminars up there, and also enjoyed his classes. But I can’t imagine what was on Andrew’s mind when he asked me to teach for a couple of hours – it was a very nice surprise. I was expecting to train for a few classes to build up for the Tauranga Gasshuku but only had the opportunity to train at Kevin’s Dojo in Rangiora for one night. (I must say training in the Rangiora Dojo was very cold for me – my legs and bottom were frozen like stones!!) Then I hoped to train at the Mini Seminar on the day before the grading but Andrew asked me to teach. But, teaching at the Mini Seminar for two hours on my 20th anniversary in Aikido was an interesting first experience in Christchurch. Thank you once again Andrew (see you in Noumea one day!!)

Grading day in Christchurch was a big surprise. Takase Sensei arrived at 10:30am, and the Grading began immediately for 62 Students. A five minute break was taken at 12:30pm, then the day continued until 15:30pm. Five hours without moving for Takase Sensei and Andrew Sensei (and also Irene, Kevin, Gary and the other Senseis on the mat). I’m not sure of the temperature in the Dojo that day, maybe 10°C or 12°C, but I was frozen, even with my thermals, jacket and socks!

Takase Sensei returned to Auckland shortly after the Grading in Christchurch. I saw him one week later shortly before the Tauranga Gashuku and seemed neither cold nor tired. Hhmm, interesting???

After Christchurch, I am (was) off to Auckland for a few days, then to Tauranga, many hours on the cold mats, but with good friends too!! And perhaps another wood fireplace!

Finally, many thanks to Andrew, Irene , Debbie, Shane and Miria, and to all the students from the South (Island). Also many thanks to Takase Sensei for his help with the progress of Aikido in New Caledonia, and for the excellent friendship on and off the mats. Thank you so much Sensei.
Bye to the South (Island).

Marc Cessio – Shumeikan Aikido New Caledonia

The adventures of Hubert T. Hakama

My name is Hubert T. Hakama
And I live with Colin, Christchurch’s newest yudansha
I have a very interesting story to tell you
Starting when Colin was merely an ikkyu

I was sitting on a shelf in Japan
When along came a little man
“You’re off to New Zealand”, he said with a smile
“To live with a man from Ireland”, though not for a while

You see, I was kidnapped once I arrived in this land
I went on ‘adventures’ that involved both sea and sand
I drank wine in the countryside and lazed in hot-pools
Went out for drinks and broke dojo rules

Have a look at my face-book page for all my ‘journeys’
Poor Colin was stressed, because for me he had strong yearnings
My kidnappers treated me very well, I must say
I was given a phone to contact Colin every day

The story is now over, but the journey has just begun
For Colin must now protect me, and with me, become one
My lips are sealed as to who my kidnappers might have been
For them I have much fondness, and luckily they remain on the scene!

Right, this has gone on long enough! When I find out who’s responsible….
steps will be taken. Steps, followed quickly by smashings!! – Colin
Hubert T. Hakama (2008) http://www.facebook.com/people/Hubert_T_Hakama/1276610397

Aikido Shinryukan Otago – grading & seminar 7-8 June 2008

Providing we have enough brownie points saved up, we try to get to Dunedin once or twice a year for the seminars. I love Dunedin – its historic architecture, the friendly people and the cheap booze. I have been asked to write up about this weekend, but apart from walking home in the snow; which is a sobering experience at 3a.m. in the morning when I wasn’t dressed for it, I don’t remember much of the weekend. I think for once in my write ups, I’m going to concentrate on the Aikido. Right, I don’t remember too much about that either!

I am always impressed by the hospitality of the Dunedin Posse as they always make us feel welcome. Saturday night we went and had curry with the Dunedin crew. Flaming hot prawn masala. Great for a cold winter’s night. Not so good when four “grown” men share the same motel room after playing the game “who can eat the hottest Indian dish”. After noticing the $100 air freshening charge, we opened the windows. We can say a big thank you to the manager and manageress of the Trinity Court motel in Carrol Street, Dunedin. They always look after us, especially when two of us forgot the keys and had to be buzzed in at odd hours. Please, if you are in Dunedin, look them up and stay there. It is a good family motel. Kevin Sensei, who has some addiction to breathing fresh air decided to stay at Grant’s place. What a setting! A luxury bach overlooking the marvellous Queen Charlotte sounds. Or does it overlook the other side? Well, it overlooks water.

Back to the Aikido. Takase Sensei was in fine form and his teaching is like a shot in the arm to an addict. Kevin Sensei took a few classes on the Friday and Sunday and they were received well by all.

The trip back consisted of a stop in at Jumbo Burger in Oamaru, Burger King in Timaru for some Indiana Jones toys. Erick said they were for his kids, but on the way back, I caught him playing with them and having discussions about how they were going to avoid the snakes!! When someone falls asleep in the back of a car, it pays not to drop a straw load of coke into their open snoring mouth, as they tend to wake up coughing and spluttering. I’m not saying anyone did that to someone on this trip; but people would have laughed themselves stupid at the other person’s expense if it would have occurred.

Somewhere during the weekend I remember a grading which seemed to go well. Jun went for Shodan and Hrvoje (call me “Herv”) Vidakovic, went for Nidan. The grading was small, but all of the Dunedin students, as well as a couple from Alexandra led by Kieran, did really well. Kevin Sensei did a good job on Friday night, mentally prepping the grading candidates for what to expect. After the grading Takase Sensei gave Jun a “Welcome to the Hakama” club and pasted him. I thought “geez, and Sensei likes Jun. I wonder what he’ll do to me?”. I would class Sensei’s technique as an effortless pasting. When I try and do this to some one, it looks awkward. It is my goal to, one day, effortlessly paste someone. Hey, call me shallow, but we all have to have goals. On Sunday, I was a little bit nervous about taking ukemi from Sensei as my body was being fuelled by last night’s prawn masala, free ribs, onion barjees, two garlic naans, two long blacks and a cooked breakfast of beans, mushrooms, bacon and four rounds of toast. I was thankful that when Sensei threw me hard, I hit the ground, but my breakfast did not.

Thank you to Grant from Dunedin for organizing the seminar, to Takase Shihan and Kevin Sensei for teaching. We’ll be back soon, please leave the lights on.

Kyle Southam – Christchurch

Black belt coffee

Some of you may remember Luciano, the bouncy Brazilian who sat his Sandan grading (3rd. Dan black belt) at the 2007 mid-year grading. You may be wondering where he is now?

Luciano’s passion for smashin’ is equalled by his passion for coffee, and this has been keeping him busy. In May this year he won the NZ Barista of the Year for the second time. In June he followed up by placing 7th. at the World Barista Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Lui at the World Barista Championships

If he hasn’t made you a coffee yet, you can be sure he makes the best in town, and he can make it quickly – helped by looking up at the coffee machines, where others have to stoop down, but I’m getting distracted. (now! now! James, it’s not nice talking about somebody’s height – he’ll pay you back with interest on the mat!! – ed)

For the next couple of months you might not see much of him on the mat, but you should drop by his cafe (which he found time to open late 2007). Try out the coffee, hassle him about missing too many classes, or for being short (after he has made the coffee!), or find out when the next poker game is!

Luciano’s Espresso Bar is in the Hunter Furniture Store, 220 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch.

Some lighter moments

Source: CANTA magazine