Aikido Hokuryukai

A chance to train under Osawa-shihan (even if only virtually)! Watch for updates.

Chiba-sensei’s crystal-clear suwari waza...

Nice aiki-otoshi, but it got OG Anunoby ejected from the game. https://youtu.be/QD4gTesB0_U

Much joy about the cleanup achieved at Aikido Tendokai... a tidy basement!

Remembering Kanai Sensei with gratitude and fondness for all he gave to the aikido community all over the world. His legacy continues on, enriching aikidoka both on and off the mat with the highest technical and human qualities so worth preserving.

Waite-sensei’s passing is truly a tragic loss for the world Aikido community... our condolences go to his family, friends and students. http://usafaikidonews.com/sad-news-to-share/

Re-posting this... The class is this Friday! We’d be happy to see you if you have an interest in Aikido.

Happy lunar new year! It’s the year of the Metal Ox a year for steadfastness, discipline and simplicity. May that apply to all of our lives and practices in these weird times!

Our first Introduction to Aikido Zoom class is coming up Feb. 19! I hope you are able to join us in this free class. We’ll show stress-relief techniques and provide some basic information about Aikido practice. No experience is required... see the link for more details.... https://aikidoclub.ca/introduction-to-aikido/

And that applies to training, too.

Hello to all friends, Thank you all very much for your kind wishes on my recent promotion. One of my life treasures is having great friends like you among the Aikido circle everywhere. I hope we can see each other on the mats somewhere and enjoy normal practice again soon.... Please keep safe and happy. Yumi Nakamura

Another project in our program to raise funds for our post-pandemic restart. The talented Kate hand-made some weapons bags for us. Sturdy denim, they hold 4-5 bokken and jo, including extra-long jo. A great holiday gift for the weapons practitioner in your life. Supply is rather limited... $35, including HST and shipping in Canada. Message us if you are interested.

Insight into O-sensei...

MORIHEI UESHIBA : Les progrès viennent à ceux qui s'entraînent encore et encore, vous reposer sur des techniques secrètes ne vous conduira nulle part.

Via David Yates...

I’ve gotten them ,too. Thanks to Wil for the heads-up.

Kawahara-sensei, 1970s (uke: Ishiyama-sensei). One of my favourite videos. You can see the force if the attacks by the fact that his sleeve was nearly ripped off. https://youtu.be/ieq4wPER9fA

A good photo in terms of ukemi, too. I find the expression on Chiba-sensei’s face interesting, revealing his utter commitment to maintaining the contact with O-sensei, despite what is clearly powerful and quick movement.

We have been emphasizing the importance of the orientation of the blade in diagonal cuts (or any other cuts, for that matter) in our bokken work lately.

I joined the members of Aikido Tendokai in the park for jo practice with Nakamura-sensei last night. It was a cool evening with very, very light rain. We practiced under the shelter of the huge trees at Monarch Park, with the rain pattering softly on the leaves. It was a very calming and enjoyable practice in such a beautiful natural space!

There seems to be some ongoing interest... If you wanted a T-shirt and didn’t get one, wanted another one or know somebody who wants one, let me know... we will likely place a follow-up order in a week or so. Thanks to our friends for your generous support!

The amazing Shioda-sensei, student of O-sensei and founder of the Yoshinkan.

I find this series of essays by international Aikikai shihan quite interesting. It helps to realize that we are all in this together, and that our community is strong.

Saddened to learn of the passing of Canadian martial arts legend Doug Rogers, a hero to those of us who got our start n the 1960s and 1970s. A great athlete and a model... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Rogers_(judoka)

https://youtu.be/46DWFN0xuDw

As part of our fund-raising efforts to reopen the dojo in the fall, we are selling T-shirts. The shirts feature Yumi-sensei’s calligraphy, Aikido Hokuryukai, and our dojo emblem, which appears in large format on the back or in smaller format beside the calligraphy on the front, depending on the colour. Several colours grey (shown), navy, royal blue, black, red and white in all common sizes are available. The price is $30, which includes tax and shipping in Canada.... If you’re interested or have questions, please message me or email [email protected]. The deadline for orders is this Friday. If you miss getting a summer camp T-shirt, here’s your alternative! Thanks, Jim

There has been some controversy recently regarding gender equality in the US Aikido Federation. Yamada-sensei has published his comments: http://usafaikidonews.com/a-message-from-yamada-sensei-202/

An interesting reminiscence of Kawahara-sensei (shared from Barry Radun). http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25802

I find that Stoicism and the philosophy of Budo usually track well together. Both offer tools for surviving hard times. https://dailystoic.com/nows-the-time-to-sharpen-your-sword/

Some members have done more than 25 hours of group training over the summer, via Zoom and in the park in addition to whatever solo training they have done. Kudos! We will come through this together.

It’s good to practice together again

Another batch of photos, these ones related to Osawa sensei. https://aikidoclub.ca/osawa-sensei/