New Years Day Class

Join us at 10am on Sunday January 1st. Ring in the New Year with a bang, thud, splat, and a thwack!


Other upcoming events:
January 3rd - Testing
January 7th - Dave Nachman Sensei
March 2-4th - Winter Camp
April 28th - Cecelia Sensei

Recent Testing

We had a great set of tests this Saturday. Please join me in congratulating our fellow students on their new ranks.

6th Kyu:
Aaron Cloutier
Lee Hurst
Mike Santelli

4th Kyu:
Amogh Bhagat

The Western Frontier Settlement Continues

We are happy to announce a new Kokikai dojo opening in Sunnyvale, California!

There will be a free seminar by Dennis Embert Sensei, 6th dan this Saturday, Dec 3rd.

Location:
548 S Murphy Ave
Sunnyvale, CA

Check out www.aikidosv.com for details.



Vampires beware!

Tis' the Season to Collect Diapers!

Our annual (almost annual) dojo diaper drive to benefit Charles Settlement House is under way. In the past our dojo has donated packages of disposable of diapers to the Charles Settlement House during the holiday season.

The Charles Settlement House (www.charlessettlementhouse.org) has been serving residents of northwest Rochester of all ages for 90 years and provides core services directly to neighborhood residents in five major areas: preschool development, youth development, family services, senior adult services, and neighborhood capacity building. Approximately 6,200 individuals are served annually.

Please consider donating a package or two of disposable diapers to the drive by December 15. All sizes of diapers are needed except newborn. There will be a collection box in the dojo.

Also, I’m looking for a volunteer to deliver the diapers to the Charles Settlement House, 445 Jay Street, Rochester, NY, 14608 (585-328-5453). If you can take on this task please let me know.For more information about the drive or about Charles Settlement House see: Marcella or Brian.

Time to clean the dojo!

It’s that time of year!

Time to clean the dojo again and get rid of those evil dust bunnies under the radiators!

Please join me on Saturday, October 22 after the adult class at 11:00 am to clean the dojo.

With a group of 4-5 people we should be able to clean the dojo in about 1-1.5 hours.

A list of cleaning tasks will be posted beforehand and can be done at any time before or after the scheduled clean up.

Questions, see Marcella.

Testing in October

Testing will be in the Dojo on Thursday, October 13th in the 7pm Class. Please plan to come and support your fellow students.

Thank you!

-b

Labor Day - No Classes

Remember the dojo is closed Monday 9/5/11 for labor day. Enjoy your grilling, bonfires, s'mores, and fireworks!

-b

Summer Blues

All,

Anyone want to join us at Beale Street after class this Thursday?

Meet there at 9ish. Good food, good blues.

-b&c

http://www.bealestreetcafe.com/
Gregory and South

Fall Study Opportunities with Maruyama Sensei

We have received the dates for Fall Camps with Maruyama Sensei. Mark your calendars now to continue your studies with him then!

The dates are:

November 4-6 - Boston, MA

November 18-20 - San Francisco, CA

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who attended Sensei's seminar this weekend and helped to make it a wonderful success. It wouldn't have been possible without you! Here is a photo taken after Saturday morning class.

Sensei class schedule update

All,

Class Saturday will start at 10:00am not 10:15.

Thanks,
-b

Summer Camp Tests

We had a wonderful time at Summer Camp - Sensei was amazing. Cyndi Lovejoy tested for second kyu and Mark Panek tested for first kyu. They both continued the Rochester tradition of looking great.

We will be celebrating Mark's test on Thursday night during 7 pm class. Cyndi is off on vacation/family reunion this week so we will catch her when she returns.

Hope to see everyone this weekend for Sensei's visit to Rochester. Saturday classes at 10:15 and 1:30. Sunday class is over at Eastern Sky at 10:00 am.

Class Schedule Tweaks

Starting Monday August 15th, the line up for Mondays nights will change to:

6-7pm General Class (no change)
7-8pm General Class
8-8:30pm Advanced Class (Weapons (Tori,Kata), Weapons of Opportunity (Tori), Darkside, etc.)

The google calendar has been updated. I'll update the posted schedules on the web after Monday 8/8.

See you there,
-b

Class Cancelled!

Hey all, just a reminder that both the kids and adult classes this Saturday, Aug 6th, and open mat time this Sunday, Aug 7th, will be cancelled to give the mat a chance to dry after being shampooed.

Reminder of upcoming events

Here is a listing of upcoming events:

Saturday July 30th, dojo cleaning after the 10 am adult class
August 4-7, Summer Camp at Rowan University
August 13-14, Sensei in Rochester

Remember if you register and get your down payment in before the end of the month you'll get a good discount. You can register online here.

Family Picnic

Hey all! Zilla just wanted to thank you all for a great time on Saturday. He enjoyed visiting with everyone and really enjoyed playing with the kids. Gama baby enjoyed the day as well. Although he was a bit too sleepy at the end of the day to offer appropriate thanks.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the dojo and hope to have interest in doing a picnic again next year!

Mat Repair starts at 6 pm

Given the heat, I have suggested that we use the 6 pm class for mat repair as well. Marcella and I will get started during the 6 pm time slot with whomever is there and stitching will continue during the 7 pm class slot.

Thursday 7/21 - Matt Repair

Attention. This Thursday, we will preempt the 7pm class to add a patch to the mat. We still need people to come. The plane is to have at least 6 people stitching the new seams. Please come and help; no experience necessary. If we get done early, we can do some weapons of opportunity or darkside stuff as a reward for coming. :)

Thanks!

-b

Current Events

Congratulations to Phillip Bembry for an excellent 6th Kyu test this Friday morning. Please congratulate him. Oh, and give Bob Martini kudos for dragging his butt in for his very first morning class :)

Upcoming:
Week 5 of test prep - Monday 7/18
Dojo Family Picnic - Saturday 7/23
Week 6 of Test Prep - Monday 7/25
Dojo Clean up - Saturday 7/30
Camp - 8/4:8/7
Sensei in Rochester - 8/13 & 8/14

We are also looking to patch the mat before 7/23. Please see Brian or Marcella. The goal is to have about 6 people all stitch around the patch at once. Marcella will show us how to do the stitching. (Stitching is much more manly than sewing, so it is safe for the guys to participate without losing man points!)

-b

Test Prep

We are at week 4 already!

I want to thank all that are participating. I know that it has been warm, and Monday's weather predictions are calling for it to be downright hot, but having grown up in the Philadelphia area, I can vouch for the heat you get down where camp will be held. Also, all but my last test were at Summer camp. Training in the heat is necessary.

Here are some tips. First, hydrate during the day. Second, on your drive over, no AC. Yes, I said no air conditioning. You need to let the body acclimate other wise the shock of going from AC at the office to AC at the car to Steve's warm ups will put additional strain on the body. Third, while practicing hydrate but minimally. Limes or lemons can quench the feeling of thirst. Fourth, come, practice, sweat and leave happier for it.

see you at class!
-b

Greetings from Japan

We always put up new info about our dojo happenings but I thought I'd share the travel blog of one of our students whose family is currently visiting Japan. They will be there almost 3 weeks! Enjoy their travels!

Summer Dojo Clean Up!

It’s that time of year!

Time to clean the dojo; get it ready for Maruyama Sensei’s visit in August.

Please join me on Saturday, July 30 after the adult class to clean the dojo.

With a group of 4-5 people we should be able to clean the dojo in about 1-1.5 hours.

A list of cleaning tasks will be posted beforehand and can be done at any time before or after the scheduled clean up.

Cookies and “punch” will be provided!

Thank you,

Marcella

Ukes Needed!‏

There are only 4 test preps left before summer camp and we could use afew extra ukes:

Thurs. 7/7 - 7:00 pm
Mon. 7/11 - 7:00 pm
Mon. 7/18 - 7:00 pm
Mon. 7/25 - 7:00 pm

Please consider coming to help out.

Questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thank you, Marcella

Fourth of July

Reminder, there are no classes this Monday, July 4th. Enjoy the holiday!

-b

Aikido Study Hall (aka Open Mat)

What?: Aikido study hall (aka open mat), time for self directed practice.

Who?: Everyone, all ranks welcome!

When?: Sundays starting at 10:00 am and usually wrapping up by 11:00 am.

Where?: Our dojo downtown.

How?: Supportive black belt(s) always available if needed.

Why?: Time to work on whatever you want, ex. investigate a technique in more depth, extra prep time for a test, space to work on your kata.

Questions?: Contact Marcella, sixmts04@hotmail.com, 905-1392 or see me in class.

Memorial Day

There will be no classes on Memorial Day. Enjoy your holiday and take a moment to remember all those who have stood between us and harm's way.

Upcoming...

Speaking of testing, Summer Camp test prep dates will be:
6/20, 6/27, 7/7, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25
(Please note Test Prep for the week of July 4th will be on that Thursday)

Don't forget to sign up for Sensei Leon's seminar June 3-5.

Start planning for Sensei's next trip to the US. Camp is 8/4-8/7 and Sensei will be in Rochester the weekend of 8/12.

Testing Congratulations

Both our dojo and our class over at RIT recently tested. Please congratulate the following!

RIT Testing:
Margaret Powell - 6th kyu
Harrison Sprague - 6th kyu
Saleh Zeidan - 6th kyu
Cameron Wing - 5th kyu
Hemsley Pichardo - 4th kyu

Rochester Dojo Testing:
Gokce Odabas - 6th kyu
Kerman Bharucha - 6th kyu
Riley Page - 5th kyu
Nathaniel Wagar - 5th kyu
Brendan Courtsal - 4th kyu

Leon Brooks Sensei in Rochester 2011!

Aikido Kokikai of Rochester and Eastern Sky Kokikai are pleased to announce that Sensei Leon Brooks is coming to Rochester again and all aikidoka are welcome to attend!

The seminar will be June 3rd to the 5th with classes Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning. We are offering 10 hours of class for the weekend.

If you would like to attend you can register online here, http://www.bodymindandmodem.com/LB2011/ or pick up a brochure at either dojo; Aikido Kokikai of Rochester, 250 Cumberland St, Rochester or Eastern Sky Kokikai, 591 Mosley Road, Fairport.

Next Set of Testing

Our next set of testing will be on Thursday, May 12 during the 7pm class. Mark your calendars now.

Guests in the Dojo on Saturday

We will be extending our Saturday morning class to two hours this week (10-12). Some aikido students are coming to visit from Colgate and we have invited the other aikido dojos in Rochester to join us too. Hope you can come participate!

Congratulations!

We had a wonderful evening of testing on Thursday night.

Congratulations to all who tested:

6th kyu
Erin Andrews

5th kyu
JD Brederson
Amogh Bhagat
Samantha Newmark

3rd kyu
Hugh Higgins
Jordan Bell


A highlight of the evening for all of us was a demo by Marcella Mosher. We can't wait for you to be back on the mat regularly, Marcella!

Sensei in Rochester

Hey All,

We have the date for Sensei in Rochester this fall. He will be here the weekend after summer camp, August 13-14, 2011. Please mark your calendars now and save the date! Schedule and fees should be comparable to last year.

Thanks

Demo at UofR

Tuesday 3/22 we will be doing a demo at the UofR in Hirst lounge which is in Wilson Commons. We will need to be there from 6:15 to 7:30pm. Our portion will be about 15 minutes. Please contact me if you are able to help out.

Thanks,
-b

Hirst Lounge is inside Wilson Commons. See map. Click on river campus.

http://www.rochester.edu/maps/

Practice your Jo Waza!

Check this guy out!

Jo Waza Practice Incentive

Thanks Tosh!

Ki & Keys

All,

The locker room keys are MIA again. Please check you bags and pockets and drop them off Monday.

Remember, it's a good awareness exercise to ensure the keys are returned to the board.

-b

Demo Opportunities

All,

We have two demo opportunities coming up. The first is at the U of R on Tuesday night 3/22. The second is Wednesday afternoon 3/30 at Nazareth College. We are looking for volunteers to help.


U of R - 3/22 - Arrive by 6:30, we're on at 7:15 for ~15 minutes
Nazareth - 3/30 - Arrive 3:30, we start at 4pm

See Brian for details on UofR
See Steve for Nazareth details

Thanks,
-b

Congratulations!

Winter Camp is over and our region was very well represented - 20 people made the trip!

Ann Marshall and Chris Steerman are over on the right but out of the frame.

We now have three new shodans in the dojo:
Ann Marshall
Ray Easton
Ryan Liddell

Mark Tripp tested for 1st kyu, as did Rich Savacool from Eastern Sky.

Peter Veazie, Alfree Lee, Adrian Florian, Devon Gill, and Andrew Robertson all tested for 2nd kyu.

We will have a special celebratory class tonight at 7 pm. Hope you can come and congratulate everyone!

Special Saturday Class - March 12

The Saturday March 12 class will focus on ki exercises using bokken. Everyone is welcome to attend. You do not have to have a bokken to attend but, if you have one, please bring it!

Congratulations

A big round of applause for Russ Perkins for his 4th kyu test last Thursday in the dojo!

Upcoming Dates of Interest

2/7 Test Prep
2/12 next Bokken Carving Class (2pm)
2/14 Test Prep (I'll let you out at 8pm for V-day)
2/14 & 2/16 Testing at RIT
2/24 testing in the Dojo at 7pm
2/21 Last Test Prep (Bring Popcorn)
3/4 Winter Camp Starts

Wednesday AM Class Cancelled

All. Due to the expected weather and early hour, our Wednesday 7AM class is canceled for February 2nd. Have fun making ukemi angels in the snow! (Send me pics and we'll post them)

Please keep an eye here for any other closing info.

Bokken Carving Field Trip

This Saturday (assuming I get back from Az on Friday), Candy and I will be at Pittsford Lumber at Noon. If you are planning on doing the bokken carving class, this is a good opportunity to select your piece of wood with some guidance. Things we'll review are cost, ease of work, weight, durability, suitability for purpose (wall hanger; kata; kumi taichi). Also some woods are not good for constant handling (can cause allergic reactions).

Please RSVP via the "Have a Question" link on the right of the page so I know if anyone is able to go.

-b

Bokken Carving

The following people have indicated the are interested. Let me know if I'm missing anyone. (Email is best, I have louse short term memory)

Craig
Anne
Hugh
Mark P. (schedule dependent)
Kimberly
Peter V.

Want to make your own bokken?

Several people have expressed interest in making their own bokken. Since Candy and I have been down this road before, we're looking for a list of people interested in such an activity. This will be held at our home shop (in Ogden) during February, on the weekends. Exact dates and details are TBD. Right now I want to get an gauge on how many people are interested.

Sorry, you must be at least 18, willing to get saw dusty & dirty, and we prefer if you already know how to behave around sharp objects.

Please email me or see me at the dojo.

Thanks,
-b