May is Uke Month

Monday 8pm classes in May will be Uke classes.

Better your attacks, falls, break falls. Get in shape for Summer!

Great warm up for test prep classes (coming soon)

Reminder: Weapons of Opportunity Monday at 8pm

A class on Weapons of Opportunity will be held Monday night at 8pm. This will be a working class, a few examples will be shown, but students are encouraged to bring common place items that could be used by an attacker. We will work through applying principles and adapting existing techniques.

Please try to find a clean item, for example, wash the dirt off the shovel before bringing it in. Lets keep the mat clean (and intact).

Asian Heritage Demo a great success!

On Sunday, April 20, 2008, our dojo put on its first demo in quite some time. The occasion was Asian Heritage Family Day and it took place in the Bausch and Lomb Room of the Memorial Art Gallery in front of a full house, standing room only audience. The demo was led and coordinated by Brian Martens. Participants included a wide cross section of fellow members, Alex and Karl Sarkozy, Bobby Stearns, Ana Ka, Andrew Sackett, Marcella Mosher, Bob Martini, Bob Cotter, Candy Martens, Brett Porter, Steve Perino, Rick Packard, Ann Marshall and Dana Essom.

Highlights of the demo included a Jo Kata, a Two-Person against One attack/Randori, and Nikyo throws. The demo was also interactive, giving the audience a chance to test the Unbendable Arm Ki exercise The demo was both entertaining and informative.The demo performance showed that Aikido can be practiced by people of all types: Men and women, big and small, young and old.

I look forward to the next demo which is scheduled during the Monroe County Fair - July 9-13, 2008. If you are interested in participating , please see Brian or Bob Martini.

Alan Tamayo

Mark Your Calendars - June 28

Gary Snyder will tentatively be in Rochester on Saturday, June 28 and will teach two classes for us - an extended morning class and a late afternoon class. More info on the schedule, etc. as we get closer.

Gary is a sixth dan and head instructor of Aikido Kokikai of NYC. Our dojo has a special relationship with Gary's dojo. Some of our students have continued their practice with Gary upon moving to NYC or commuting there for work. Gary has visited us in the past when business has brought him near Rochester.

We are excited that an opportunity has presented itself again for Gary to teach in our dojo.

No Sunday Open Mat

Open mat is canceled for this Sunday. Please come to our demo (see note below) instead.

Thanks

Our Next Regional Practice

Everyone, please mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 17, we will be having another regional practice. Eastern Sky Dojo and RIT will be joining us for a special expanded Saturday class. Class will begin at 10:15 and go until noon.

It is YOUR participation that makes these regional practices work. Please come!

Reminders

• Demo team practice tonight at 8pm (all welcome)
  
• Demo Sunday at 2:30pm at the MAG
• May will be Uke Month
• June/July is Test Prep Season - Send me you availability (you know who you are)
• 
  
• Requests for special topics classes welcome
  

Morning Classes

Starting Monday, April 14th, the Monday and Friday morning classes will be starting at 6:30am. This will be done on a trial basis to reach out to those who have to be to work by 8am and any other early birds. The classes will still run till 8am for those who can't get there that early but will allow a full practice for those who must leave at 7:30am.

If you have any questions please see Candy or reply to this post.

April 20th Demo

We're looking for volunteers for the demo team for the MAG Asian Family Day on April 20th. The demo will be at 2:30pm so you'll need to be there ~2:00 to 3:30pm. We'll need plain clothes (ringers) and people in Gi's.

Please see Brian Martens or Bob Martini, or reply to this post.