Aikido Yoshinkai

Congratulations to Eric Schenk and Patrick McCready who took their sandan (3rd degree black belt) test on Saturday 11 June.  The test is gruelling, both physically and mentally, as it requires high level performance of empty hand and weapon (staff, sword, and knife) techniques.  The examination is based on over 150 basic empty hand techniques, of which 6 are demanded from each candidate.  The sandan test also involves performance of 11 weapons techniques, some solo and some partnered.  The test culminates with 2 demonstrations of freestyle techniques (jiyu waza) and a 3:1 attack, with attackers using a sword, a knife, and an empty hand.  Thanks to the test partners Henry Lagas, Tony Rodney, and Connor McIver, who participated in the 3:1 portion of the test.

The members of Sokushinkan Dojo (Vancouver) bid farewell to Miyoko Ae, who returned to Japan this week.  Miyoko had been in Vancouver on a working holiday sojourn since May 2010.  She met our teacher Ikuo Watanabe Sensei by chance while they were on the airplane together in May 2010.  She joined the dojo shortly thereafter and trained with us on many occasions, including assisting at some of the children’s classes.  She attained 7th kyu with us and will receive a certificate to that effect by mail.  We hope that she will continue to train in aikido in her home town.  We expect to see her again in the future, in Japan or Canada or elsewhere.  Best of luck in your new adventures, Miyoko-san!

Greg Pun (4^th dan) and Andrew Prest (1^st dan), the children class instructors, closed the fall term of kids aikido at Sokushinkan Dojo (Vancouver).  Thanks to the children and parents who have supported the class this term.  Thanks also to the various adult members of the dojo who have assisted in the classes this term.  Congratulations to all the children, in both the junior class (ages 3-7) and senior class (ages 8-13) on their accomplishments over the last three months.  The new term will start Saturday 8 January 2011 at the usual times (1:30pm for junior kids, 2:00pm for senior kids).

Congratulations to Greg Pun, who was successful in his 4^th degree black belt test before Watanabe Sensei (8^th dan) on Sunday 28 November at Ayase Dojo, Tokyo.  Thanks to test partner Darren Skelton (4^th dan), of Watanabe Dojo (Perth , Australia) who was Greg’s test partner and who also passed the test.  We offer our congratulations also to Ian Lawrence and Stuart Walsh, of Watanabe Dojo (Perth, Australia), who succeeded in their 2^nd degree black belt test, and to Horiguchi-san, a member of the Ayase Dojo, who passed his shodan test.  The test was the culmination of Greg’s and Patrick’s trip to Japan.  Their trip included attendance at the 55^th annual Embukai and participation in the special seminar given that day by Takeno Sensei (9th dan, saikoo shihan) and the special seminars given by Payet Sensei, Sonoda Sensei, and Chino Sensei at Hombu Dojo the next day.  Greg and Patrick also trained at other dojos with various teachers, including the Irumagawa Dojo of Sonoda Sensei.  Greg and Patrick thank all their old and new friends for helping to make the visit, the training, and the testing successful and enjoyable.

We are pleased to report that two senior members of Sokushinkan Dojo (Vancouver) are on their way to Tokyo, Japan, to train and meet old and new friends.  Greg Pun (3^rd dan) and Patrick McCready (2^nd dan) will be visiting Watanabe Sensei and his dojo in Ayase, Tokyo, as well as other teachers and dojos in the Tokyo area.  During their time in Tokyo, Greg and Patrick will attend the 55^th annual Embukaitai (international demonstration) and the associated seminars.  They will also be meeting old friends and teachers such as Sonoda Sensei (8^th dan) at Hombu Dojo.

Congratulations to several members who took and passed the test for shodan (first degree black belt) this month.  Chief examiner Keith Taylor (6^th dan, head of dojo) was assisted by senior students Sheldon Verbeke (3^rd dan, Sowakan dojo) and Greg Pun (3^rd dan, Sokushinkan dojo).  All members of Sowakan Dojo (Maple Ridge) and Sokushinkan Dojo (Vancouver) congratulate Alan Brown, Connor McIver, Tony Rodney, Tygh Runyan, and Jaret Swanson, on their accomplishment.  The attainment of a shodan is not the end of one’s training but, rather, the true beginning of training – it opens a path to greater knowledge and achievement in the art that is Yoshinkan Aikido.  Omedetou gozaimasu and Osu!  Thanks also to Andrew Prest who participated as uke (test partner).

Congratulations to Zak of our senior kids class at Sokushinkan Dojo (Vancouver).  Zak was awarded his green belt (4^th kyu) after taking a surprise test.  His achievement is a result of much careful training and marks his entry into the intermediate level of aikido.  Omedetou gozaimasu, Osu!

Sokushinkan Dojo at VJLS is pleased to open a new term of kids classes on Saturdays (September – December 2010). The instructors welcome many returning and new students in both age groups (age 3-7 & age 8-14).

Sokushinkan Dojo of Vancouver is pleased to expand our class times on Wednesday evenings to create two one-hour classes: 6:30pm-7:30pm and 7:30pm-8:30pm. The first hour is open to older children/youth from our Saturday classes, with instructor permission.

Congratulations to Tin of Sokushinkan Dojo on attaining his 4th Kyu (green belt). This is a significant achievement after much hard training by Tin and his partner Tygh.

Congratulations to Andrew of Sokushinkan Dojo who took and passed his shodan (1st degree black belt) test today.

Without the slightest opening,
nor the least thought of the enemy…
step in and cut!

- M. Ueshiba

All of us here at the Sokushinkan and Sowakan dojos would like to congratulate Tygh Runyan, of our Vancouver dojo, on the debut of his new movie, A Gun to the Head playing at the Toronto International Film Festival this week.

Vancouver will hold the usual classes Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.  But, there will no longer be Friday classes.  Instead, we are going to hold an adult class on Saturdays 3:00 pm -4:30 pm, following the kids classes. Kids classes run as usual, Saturdays 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (age 7-13) and 2:30 pm- 3:00 pm (age 3-6).

Check out the calendar for these updates, or see the schedule here.

Due to the annual maintenance at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre the all classes are cancelled until Tuesday September 8/09