Easter Training
No class next Friday at Newstead but all other classes will be running as per usual.
Dave Brown Visit
We had a highly enjoyable and challenging visit from Dave Brown last weekend. Sunday ended up being a pretty big day with quite a few guests rolling up.
Thank you Dave Sensei for teaching, Ronin for organising, and everyone who supported it.
Ronin and the Sword of No Sword
Scary stuff the other Tuesday night when Ronin’s long suffering iaito finally gave up the ghost. I personally don’t need to see a blade snap off at the habaki, mid cut again. Especially when it’s coming in my general direction. As for the Ronin, he’s in the market for a new iaito that will be immune to the corrosive powers of his toxic sweat.
David Brown Visit
We will be hosting a visit by David Brown Sensei 6 Dan from Melbourne at the end of the month. Classes will be held both at the Brisbane Aikikai at Newstead and down on the bayside.
Sensei will be taking the regular class on Thursday 22 March (1830-2000) and also the class on Sunday 25 March. There will be a slight change in that class in that it will be from 0900 to 1100. There’s an additional surcharge to cover travel costs etc being $20 per class or $30 for both. David will also be teaching Friday evening and all day Saturday at Newstead. Please also note that there will be no jodo/iaido at Newstead on Friday 23 March as a result.
Kitaura Sensei
I made it only to the mini seminar by Kitaura Sensei hosted by Brisbane Aiki Kai last Sunday 26 February. Kitaura Sensei is the son of Kitaura Shihan residing in Spain and was visiting Brisbane as part of a trip to Australia. It was a great morning’s training with some interesting approaches to familiar things. Thank you Sensei and Brisbane Aiki Kai for the invitation.
Mini Grading
We had a mini grading for the juniors last week. Congratulations to Isaac and Abigail Rogan Benfer for passing the test for junior 9 kyu on 21 February.
AKR Nationals
I’m just back from the AKR Iaido and Jodo Seminar in Sydney. Work commitments kept me from full attendance this year but I still managed to get in some valuable training. The next major events on the iaido and jodo front will be the annual visit to the East Coast by Nagayama and Ohara Sensei, and the Queensland Kendo Renmei weekend seminar and grading, both scheduled to take place in June.
Reciprocal Training Brisbane Aiki Kai
We have recently been able to conclude some arrangements to help people to maximise their aikido training opportunities at both the Brisbane Aiki Kai (Newstead) and down here at Bayside. The deal is that annual membership for both clubs is required for insurance purposes, those paying monthly membership at one (home) dojo will then be entitled to a half price rate for casual training at the other dojo.
Back in Business for 2012
Hi Everyone and Happy New Year for 2012. Classes are back and running as of 3 January and we are looking forward to a great year. Kicking things off will be AKR National Iaido and Jodo Seminar in Sydney starting on 23 January. I’ll be heading down there for a few days so there will likely be no class on Tuesday 24 January. Stay posted for details.