No Monday class this week because of the Bank Holiday, but allows us a bit of space to congratulate Dohigh Jose and Kohigh Matthew on their green and orange belts this Sunday.
So well done both of you for representing the dojo in the national BAMA gradings. Looking forward to the December gradings now!!
Holistic martial Arts Class, Tuesdays 6.30pm
The ‘art form’ of sword is becoming a firm favorite to finish the class on Tuesdays. Its graceful peaceful movements are the perfect counter to the tension and strength of ‘hard form’. Although we are teaching advanced turns and spins that would challenge a sword student, the way we teach, and the gentle mood of the class make it seem so natural, very impressive.
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Reflective Aikido, Tuesdays, 8.30pm
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A very productive evening at Reflective Aikido this week. What with gradings around the corner it was a final opportunity to put students through their paces with kata performances. But the highlight of the evening was Kohigh Jose taking his preliminary test of the Reflective Aikido Principles. Assisted by his partner, Kohigh Matthew, he performed some excellent work, demonstrating his understanding of the 7 principles. Great work and a great test. Well done!!
Japanese Sword, Tuesdays, 9.30pm
Building on the great lessons from the week before, the focus of the swordsman was still the theme for this lesson, once a student understands the ‘lake’ lesson their movements become more purposeful yet graceful. So often early grades in sword have pronounced shoulder movements when cutting, this lesson rely helped sort this issue out.
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BAMA Karate and Aikido Te Class, Wednesdays, 6.45pm
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What a session this Wednesday!!
First up was the private training, a regular feature now of the Wednesday night lesson format. Lots of syllabus work covered for all grades and a final polish before gradings, the beginners find this part of the night rely helpful.
Then things took an entirely different direction as the class was divided into two groups, headed by Mark San and Graham San. There brief was to devise short combat routines for their groups to follow.
A straight forward enough task, except when you have a couple of 4th Dans breathing down your neck, pushing you to get the most from your class!! Needless to say on more than one occassion Richard San and Tim San just couldn’t resist the urge to step in and spice things up.
A great session of up beat ‘mayhem’ with all grades rising to the challenges set, performing some kick-ass routines for the final display. Check out the comments left on our Facebook Page!!
What i love about teaching philosophy to students is that they don’t even need to be in the same room!
Although Sempai Ben is half a world away on a cruise ship, we are still having lessons together through the magic of technology! Now Aikido would be tricky, but for Zen lessons its causes no problem at all. Enjoy his thoughts set down in writing, inspired by his new universe, and connect with the spirit of a fellow student even though he is far away from the dojo at the moment.
“As soon as the ship begins to move gracefully across the water and away from the confines of the land,
Every passenger and crew member alike receives a new state of mind that is triggered from the sense of uncertainty, adventure and unpredictability that lies in all corners of our ocean.
The journey begins!”
Sempai Ben
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