Plano Aikido Center

On Dec. 10, 2011, we had our holiday season party, and took the opportunity to get some group photos. It is hard to get every together during the holidays, and the pics are missing over half our adult members, but most of the kids are there. I guess we need to take group shots at different times during the year to get the full dojo represented.

Anyway, it was a fun party. Everyone brought their families and lots of food. Yum!

Click for full-sized images.

Our kids class, their instructors, Â and their parents at our 2011 Holiday Season Party.

Aikidoists at our 2011 Holiday Season Party

On Saturday, Dec. 10, we will be having a Holiday Season Party/Potluck lunch.

We’ll have the facility to ourselves that day.

Please bring your spouses, families, significant others, etc.

We’ll have adult practice as usual that day. Between adult and kids practice we will take group photos of the entire dojo. So parents – please get you kids to class early that day. 

After photos, the adults will then have plenty of time to clean up, change clothes, and prepare food in the party room at the dojo.

Here is a link to a spreadsheet on which to record what you are bringing to the party.

More information in the next week.

Here is some initial information on upcoming seminars at Aikido of Dallas for 2012:

Yamada sensei – Jan. 13-15, 2012

and

Konigsberg sensei – Mar. 23-25, 2012

Well fellow aikidoists, it’s been a long, hot summer, and it looks like we have a few more weeks to go. Luckily the dojo has AC and of course some big fans, so we’ve had some great practices.

Over the last few month’s Plano Aikido Center has gained quite a few new students, which is great. The Saturday kids class is going well, with all the students progressing nicely.

Let’s keep up the great momentum. If you haven’t been to practice for a while c’mon back and get thrown around!

Finally, congratulations of David Rush, who passed his 2nd kyu  test today, and Pawel Kijowski, who passed his 3rd kyu test. We have a lot of brown belts now, with more on the way.

As always, thanks to Shiba Sensei, Shawn, and Mark, for the excellent and patient instruction.

Aikido of Denton is proud to announce our summer seminar led by Skip Chapman, 5th dan, Shidoin, of Jersey Shore Aikikai. Chapman Sensei not only possesses strong technique, but clear, approachable instruction.  The TWU gymnast mat is spacious, and forgiving on beginners.  Beyond that, Downtown Denton is a great way to relax after great training.  Follow the event on Facebook by searching for “Aikido of Denton Seminar.“  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or special needs.

Hope to see you on the mat,

John Thompson
Aikido of Denton, Dojo Cho
aikidoofdenton@gmail.com
magiccatfish@hotmail.com
(940)206-4944

From the USAF:

The Aikikai Foundation has established a fund to accept donations that they will then forward to the Japanese Red Cross. The USAF is collecting donations to forward to the Aikikai to help support the many people in need. We hope that by giving through the aikido community, you will understand your personal connection to this sad and overwhelming situation.

Please visit www.usaikifed.com to make your contribution.

A big congratulations to our new 5th and 4th kyu aikidoists (and to me! 3rd kyu)!

The holiday season is again upon us. It has been a pleasure to practice with you all. Many of you will have new resolutions for 2011 and hope Aikido will continue to be one of them.

Note that Plano Aikido class schedule will adapt to the season spirit.

There will be no class on Fri/Sat Dec 24-25 as well as Fri/Sat Dec 31/Jan 1.

If I don’t see you before I wish you all a Happy Holidays and if you are going out of town just travel safe.

Sincerely,

Sidney

The annual Kagami Biraki spring seminar for 2011 will take place Jan. 14-16 at Aikido of Dallas.

Plano Aikido Center will therefore not have adult classes on Friday or Saturday, January 14 or 15 so that we may attend the seminar. Shiba Sensei strongly encourage you to attend — it is a fun and energizing experience, and will improve your aikido.

This is an excellent time to practice with members of many other dojos, experience the teaching of different Senseis, and be taught directly by Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei. An entire weekend to immerse yourself in Aikido. Your understanding will increase and technique will improve.

Class Schedule.  (all at Aikido of Dallas dojo)

Friday PM:          6:30 – 8:00
Saturday  AM:  10:00 – 11:00      11:15 – 12:15
Saturday  PM:    2:00 – 3:15       3:30 – 4:40
Sunday AM:      10:00 – 11:00    11:15 – 12:15
Saturday evening:  7:30 pot luck dinner at the dojo.

Yamada Sensei will be staying at the Holiday Inn Select (972) 243-3363.  Ask for Aikido group rate — $65 and 10% discount on breakfast buffet.

On behalf of the USAF and Yamada Sensei, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Seiichi Sugano Shihan on Sunday, August 29th. Sugano Shihan succumbed to several complications related to diabetes and cancer.  Yamada Sensei is deeply saddened and regrets not being in NY at this most difficult time. He has an important commitment, conducting a seminar in the place of Tamura Sensei in France, and will write a message to the Aikido community when he returns.

We will provide more details on the appropriate way to convey individual expressions of sympathy to Sugano Shihan’s immediate family as they become available.

We will all miss his inspiring teaching, warmth and generosity.

Sincerely yours,

Charlie McGinnis
Chairman, USAFRER