< Click here for the Articles Webpage |
Dear
students and parents,
I trust you had a marvellous and meaningful Thanksgiving.
Thank you so much for your prayers and your thoughts over the summer.
As life plays out, we face the inevitable; a part of reality that we practice in Aikido too. The way of the samurai includes being conscious of, and preparing for death. Living consciously in this way brings meaning and purpose to life, and in everything that we think, say, and do. My mother-in-law, in her last stage of cancer, is now only on morphine. We continue to pray and send positive energy to her every day. Thank you, once again, for all your well wishes and kind words.
Thank you, also, for your patience as we go through renovations at Gordon Head Recreation Centre. From the end of October, the auditorium will be closed for renovations too. Regular classes will move to the Gordon Head Middle School, Dance Studio from October 27.
Since the news that Tuesday classes will be cancelled from the Winter programme, I have had some responses from students to perhaps keep it going.
After discussing it with the programmers at Gordon Head Recreation Centre, Tuesday classes will continue, and will only run if there are registrants.
As for the next Fall cycle, classes will be held at the Gordon Head Middle School Dance Studio.
Tuesday classes, only for the Fall, will run from 5:20 to 6:20pm as that is the only slot available at the Dance Studio.
Other classes will run at their regular slots: Thursdays 4, 5 and 6pm, Fridays, 4 and 5pm, and Saturdays at 11:15am.
So to ensure, in general, that classes continue:
- Please register at least one week ahead of each cycle so that the recreation centre has a record of the size of each class.
- If you are attending individual classes, please register as a “drop-in” student at the reception counter, especially for the adult classes, and hand us the receipt before each class to help us keep accounts of the class attendance.
- Please inform me beforehand if you are coming to make up for a missed class; that way students will always be accounted for.
Note: the next grading tests will be on Thursday 26 November, and Friday 27 November.
I will inform you if you are due to be graded.
Information about the trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, in May 2010, is also included below. Do let me know if you are interested in making the trip.
From January, all Aikido classes (except for the Saturday Family and Kids’ classes) will be held at the Bert Richman Auditorium, running at their regular time slots.
This is the “red barn” between the baseball diamonds, adjacent to the Gordon Head Recreation Centre, nestled next to Lambrick Park, along the bicycle track.
Parking is just outside the “barn”.
And the following have been scheduled to begin from 12 January 2010:
- Family Aikido Classes: every Saturday from 10 to 11am at the Gordon Head Middle School Dance Studio.
- Aikido Ladies’ Classes: Wednesdays, 7:10 to 8:10pm at the Bert Richman Auditorium (the “red barn”).
- Aikido for Seniors: Thursdays, 9 to 10am at the Bert Richman Auditorium.
While for the first time in four years we have had to cancel our popular summer "Aikido Warriors Camp" series this year, to spend time with our family in Singapore, we hope and look forward to organising it again next summer, in 2010.
Do have a wonderful Autumn. I look forward to another exciting and inspiring year of Aikido practice.
See
you in the Dojo.
In harmony,
Rafael Oei Sensei.
Ueshiba Aikido (Victoria)
|
|
Pro-D Day Aikido Workshops
The next Pro-D Day Aikido Workshop will be on Friday, 23 October.
The fee for each workshop is $34.
If you wish to sign up for the workshops, do register at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre reception counter, or online at http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Start/
Other workshops will be:
Tanto Dori Workshop |
Fri 23 Oct 2009 |
9am to 12noon |
Aiki-Jo Workshop |
Fri 19 Feb 2010 |
9am to 12noon |
Aiki-Ken Workshop |
Fri 23 Apr 2010 |
9am to 12noon |
ToPics for each workshop are subject to change. If you have your own weapons, please bring them along; especially for the Jo & Bokken workshops.
Back to Contents^
Trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan, 2010
Every two years, my Sensei makes a trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan: the World Aikido Headquarters.
This was one of the conditions given by the late Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, before allowing us to use the name "Ueshiba Aikido" for our Dojos.
The next trip to Hombu Dojo will be in 2010, possibly from May 22 - 30.
Due to the nature of the visit, the protocol involved, and the training, only six students will accompany me on this trip.
We will leave on Saturday to stay overnight at Narita Airport, to meet my Sensei and his group on time when they arrive from Singapore, Sunday morning.
An estimate of the costs are (prices are subject to change):
$1300: Air fare.
$3000: Cost of accommodation, tours, meals, transportation and gratuity, and Hombu Dojo contribution.
Itinerary of the trip, based on 2008 tour:
- Mt Fuji
- Hakone
- Daily practice at Aikikai Hombu Dojo
- All Japan Aikido Demonstration at the Budokan
More details and confirmation of costs and dates will be made closer to the event.
The trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo will be a trip worth the experience.
Do let me know early if you are interested, so that we can begin making arrangements.
Back to Contents^
Ueshiba Aikido Golf/Polo Shirts
A series of shirts, jackets and hoodies are available.
During our trip to Hombu Dojo, Japan, we will be putting the polo shirt and/or hoodies on for uniformity.
These are in black with the (kanji) characters "Aikido" embroidered in gold on the left or right chest, and the words "Ueshiba Aikido, Victoria BC" embroidered on the sleeve.
Adults:
Golf/polo shirt: $30.
Hoodie: $48.
Jacket is $70.
Youth:
Golf/polo shirt: $28.
Hoodie: $40.
You may view the shirts, jackets and hoodies on the website, or catch those who have already purchased their own.
If you are interested to order, please see Mrs Oei or send me an email.
Back to Contents^
Class
Schedules
Aikido for the young
Aikido classes for the 5 to 7 year olds,
on Saturdays, from 11:15am to 12noon.
Classes will be at the Gordon Head Middle School Dance Studio.
As space is limited, do sign up soon if you are interested. Classes will be limited to only 10 students.
Fall Cycle I
Code no: 270239 (8 classes/$53)
Saturday |
Sep 6 |
Sep 13 |
Sep 20 |
Sep 27 |
Oct 4 |
Oct 11 |
Oct 18 |
Oct 25 |
Fall Cycle II
Code no: 270241 (7 classes/$47)
Saturday |
Nov 1 |
Nov 8 |
Nov 15 |
Nov 22 |
Nov 29 |
Dec 6 |
Dec 13 |
Dec 20 |
Shaded block : No class
Do register at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre reception counter,
or online at http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Start/.
If you have any queries, feel free to contact me at 818-0284, or email me at rafoei@shaw.ca.
Gordon Head Rec Ctr
Scheduled classes at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre:
Autumn Cycle (7 classes)
Children's classes (7/$65)
Code no: 330252 : Thu 4pm
Code no: 330253 : Thu 5pm
Code no: 330254 : Fri 4pm
Code no: 330255 : Fri 5pm
Adult's classes
Code no: 330245 : Tue 6pm (6/$65)
Code no: 330246 : Thu 6pm (7/$75)
Tuesday |
No class |
Sep 15 |
Sep 22 |
Sep 29 |
Oct 06 |
Oct 13 |
Oct 20 |
Wednesday |
No class |
Sep 16 |
Sep 23 |
Sep 30 |
Oct 07 |
Oct 14 |
Oct 21 |
Thursday |
Sep 10 |
Sep 17 |
Sep 24 |
Oct 01 |
Oct 08 |
Oct 15 |
Oct 22 |
Friday |
Sep 11 |
Sep 18 |
Sep 25 |
Oct 02 |
Oct 09 |
Oct 16 |
Oct 23 |
Autumn Cycle II (6 classes)
Pre-school classes (6/$45)
Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Spinnaker Room
Thursdays 5 Nov to 10 Dec, 11 to 11:30am
Classes will be Gordon Head Middle School, Dance Studio
Children's classes (6/$56)
Code no: 330256 : Thu 4pm
Code no: 330257 : Thu 5pm
Code no: 330258 : Fri 4pm
Code no: 330259 : Fri 5pm
Adult's classes (6/$65)
Code no: 330247 : Tue 6pm
Code no: 330248 : Thu 6pm
Tuesday |
Oct 27 |
Nov 3 |
Nov 10 |
Nov 17 |
Nov 24 |
Dec 01 |
Dec 08 |
Wednesday |
Oct 28 |
Nov 4 |
Nov 11 |
Nov 18 |
Nov 25 |
Dec 02 |
Dec 09 |
Thursday |
Oct 29 |
Nov 5 |
Nov 12 |
Nov 19 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 03 |
Dec 10 |
Friday |
Oct 30 |
Nov 6 |
Nov 13 |
Nov 20 |
Nov 27 |
Dec 04 |
Dec 11 |
Highlighted blocks : Grading Week
Shaded block : no class
Adults |
Mixed Levels |
Tuesday & Thursday |
6 - 7pm |
|
|
|
|
Children |
Beginners |
Thursday & Friday |
4 - 5pm |
|
Intermediate |
Friday |
5 - 6pm |
|
Advanced |
Thursday |
5 - 6pm |
|
|
|
|
Morning |
Mixed |
Wednesday |
6:30 - 7:30am |
Students who are
in the following grade levels may enrol in the corresponding class(es).
If you
are unable to make it for that class, do contact me and provisions
will be made.
As far as possible, do try to enrol in the appropriate class to reap
the best benefit from that class:
Day |
Time |
Grade
Level |
Thursday |
4pm |
Beginner
and 12kyu Orange Belt |
|
5pm |
11kyu
Green Belt, 10kyu Red Belt,
9kyu Blue Belt, 8kyu Blue Belt |
Friday |
4pm |
Beginner
and 12kyu Orange Belt |
|
5pm |
9kyu
Blue Belt and above |
If you
are 16 years and above, do consider enrolling in the Tuesday and/or
Thursday Adult classes.
If you wish to
also enrol in the 4pm classes to continue improving on your basic
techniques, you are more than welcome to join us then.
Gordon Head Middle School
Aikido classes at Gordon Head Middle
School are on Mondays, 12:15 to 12:45pm.
Grateful thanks to Gordon Head Principal,
Mr Kelly,
for his continued support of providing this programme for his students.
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Autumn Cycle
|
|
|
|
Spring Cycle |
|
|
|
Test |
|
|
Test |
|
|
Test |
|
|
Test |
The
recreation centre requires that all students be accounted for from
the first lesson of each cycle.
As
our Aikido programme is on-going, members of our dojo are encouraged
to pre-registered for each new cycle.
Currently,
students are reminded to register for each new cycle two weeks before
the end of each cycle.
Typically, a cycle lasts two months. This year, there will only be three Grading Tests.
Post-dated
cheques may be submitted to me or Mrs. Oei (Kathy).
The cheques are to be made payable to "Corporation of the District
of Saanich".
Register at the Gordon Head Recreation
Centre reception counter, or online at http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Start/
----------------------------------------------
Grading Tests
This year, there will be four Grading Tests;
in November, February, May, and August.
Please Note:
Students are required to practice at least:
20hours for 12kyu to 9kyu,
30hours for 8kyu to 6kyu,
40hours for 5kyu,
50hours for 4kyu and 3kyu,
60hours for 2kyu
70hours for 1kyu.
Practice hours, ideally, should be continuous uninterrupted practice. Hours are not cumulative over weeks or months of inactivity. This is necessary, as with all skills, to enable the student to refine and develop fluency in his/her knowledge, balance and technique in the art. If a student is absent for six months or more, the student will revert back to the level of white belt until the student demonstrates the ability to perform at his/her previous level.
Only students who are ready and eligible for grading will be invited to apply to be graded.
No video recording or photography will be allowed during Grading Tests.
Click
here for the syllabus: Grading
Structure.
Back to Contents^
< Click here for the Articles Webpage
Ueshiba
Aikido � 1591 Cedarglen Road� Victoria � British
Columbia � V8N 2B1 � Canada
Rafael Oei Sensei . Voice: 250-818-0284 . Email: rafaelsensei@shaw.ca
To unsubscribe,
reply to the sender and indicate "Unsubscribe please" in the Subject
field. Thank you. |