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e-Newsletter: ISSN 1712-235X
Autumn 2009
< 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)


in this issue
Pro-D Day Aikido Workshops
Trip to Hombu Dojo, 2010

Ueshiba Aikido Golf/Polo shirts
Class Schedule

 
Founder of Aikido
 
 
Morihei Ueshiba
O Sensei
 

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
Autumn Cycle
Winter Cycle
Spring Cycle
Spring Cycle
Summer 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

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�� 2003 - 2009: OWH Industries - Ueshiba Aikido : All Rights Reserved