September Announcements

There are two items of interest to announce,  first,  Sensei Judy Warner will be in town this weekend and leading practice on Saturday morning.

Second is that next Thursday, 9/29, we will have a dojo meeting at 7:30pm after an abbreviated 7pm class.  The main topic is the new Aikido Kokikai Federation USA.  Please feel free to ask me about it off you can't make the meeting.   There is also a blue folder near the sign in book with information about the federation.   Please join us if you can as this is your dojo too.

Labor day

Please enjoy the holiday.   There are no classes Monday but we'll be back on Tuesday.

To The Future...

Tonight, we said a heartfelt thank you to Judy Warner Sensei for over 3 decades of dedication to Kokikai and especially to the Rochester dojo.  Judy Sensei spends much of her time these days on the west coast but is still and important part of our history and future.  Though tonight was about formally thanking Judy Sensei and bestowing the title of Sensei Emeritus, it was also about officially recognizing Marcella Sensei's role as co-chief instructor of the Rochester Dojo.  She has been serving in that capacity for some time now but it was time to officially recognize it.  Judy Sensei had written a letter to that effect several months ago, a letter that is now posted in the dojo for all to read.  Marcella Sensei wanted to wait until Judy Sensei could be with us to mark the occasion.

It is a great pleasure and honor to serve the dojo with such fine martial artists.

I'd like to also take this opportunity to make note of the progress in the dojo.  We just wrapped up a whirlwind couple of weeks for our studies.  Starting with Sensei at the 40th Annual Summer Camp, where we were treated to see the progress of the dojo embodied in the performance of our test cohort.  It continued with Sensei's annual visit to Rochester, a privilege earned by the dedication each of you puts forth every day.  This year we got an extra bonus with Dave Comi Sensei leading us in class on Monday night, giving us a look into the unique perspective of one who feels Sensei's ki more than most. These intensive periods of study reinvigorate us and our practice and the coincident results of our test candidates are a visible sign of our progress as a martial arts community.  Ours is an art that cannot be practiced in isolation.  It relies on the partnership of people who will truly test our skill with neither malice nor apology but with a grin.  We grow together.

With that, please join me in congratulating:

Ni Dan
Len Butler

Shodan
Kerman Bharucha
Andrew Robertson

2nd Kyu
Jim Keeler
Bill Bechdel

Dojo Seven Day Forecast!

We have a busy week ahead of us at the dojo…

• Tues. 8/2 - Camp Rank/Belt Promotions – 6:00 pm class
• Sat. 8/6 & Sun. 8/7 – Seminar with Sensei at the Rochester dojo, see brochure for details including class times, highlights:
• Fri. 8/5 - Dinner @ Shema – 7:30 pm – Please let Brian Sensei know if you would like to attend
• Sat. 8/6 – Break/Lunch @ Location-TBD – 12:15 pm-3:00 pm
• Sat. 8/6 - Dinner  @ Sakura Home – 7:30 pm, Party to follow at Rose Sensei & Paul Sensei’s home
• Sun. 8/7 - Lunch @ Location-TBD – 12:00 noon
• Mon. 8/8 - Guest instructor Dave Comi Sensei - 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm class – Genesee Brew Pub after class
• Tues. 8/9 - Judy Warner Sensei (Co-Chief Instructor-Rochester dojo) visiting the dojo - 6:00 pm class

Dojo Update for July '16

We just finished up with our summer regional practice to get us in the swing for camp and Sensei's visit to Rochester.  We were treated to three great examples of testing, two from our friends and Eastern Sky and our own Mark Douglas.


So Congratulations to:

Paul from Eastern Sky on his 6th Kyu Test

Mark Douglas on his 4th Kyu Test

Anna from Eastern Sky on her 2nd Kyu Test.

In dojo testing for 2nd kyu and above are fairly rare events so the stakes were set that much higher.  Paul Gardner Sensei had her treat us to the first Jo and Bokken kata, some re-cap throws from previous tests, and her signature throw to up the ante.

We also took this opportunity to say farewell to Timur who is moving to Scranton.  Timur has been a great addition to our family and I am sure we will see more of him.  Timur plans to start a dojo in Scranton once he is settled in.


FYI - Next week is camp.  We will be holding almost all our classes despite many of our students and teachers going to camp.  The only cancellation is the 7pm class this Thursday.

Don't forget to sign up for Sensei in Rochester, August 6th and 7th.  If you register prior to this Tuesday, you can take advantage of the discount.  I'll take a 50% deposit to secure the discount.

Thanks!
-b