Keep your comments polite, on topic and succinct. Play nice and everyone benefits!.
As you are aware, we have been trialling both cashless handling of payments for BBRD and a new dojo management software this month.
Can I ask that you please sign in before your classes this week, and check the registered details. Please ask your instructor if you you need assistance.
We are continuing our exploration of techniques from the ground (ne waza) this week. Nyumon will be focussed on movement and flow, Chuden on the exploitation of opportunities.
However, there will be no training on Saturday this week. The 20th is basically Winter Solstice (technically on the 21st this year), and hence and engagement I meet to prepare for that no lifetime could amount sufficient brownie points to take a couple of hours out of preparation time ...
Regardless— look forward to seeing you there on the mats this week (literally)!
I am very happy to officially announce that the grading conducted on the 6 July 2015 were all successful, and included a number of outstanding results, and results that everyone should be proud of. First to the grades:
There were some note worth performances, particularly from Tracy and Ray who did sufficiently well to obtain the higher of the grades that they were eligible for. Audience favourites were, of course, Reece and Dylan. Their consistent training and grace shone through over and about the requirements for the grade they could attempt. And John, Tony, Aaron, Matthew and Luke, who all acquitted themselves with honour and aplomb!
Well done everyone! Your individual successes are a result of the consistent work you have put into your own training and the generosity you have shown to others in offering yourself as a training partner.
Official grading certificates will be handed out shortly, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the splash of colour on the tatami.
For those starting their journey into the Chuden waza, you have a new peak to master over the next 1-2 years, to which I feel privileged to act as a guide. For those continuing their path in the Nyumon waza, I am very pleased with the foundation that you demonstrated at the grading and can see you successfully completing this stage with continued determination and application.
Could those interested in attending the Bill Glasson seminar in Brisbane next weekend please let either Adrian or Michael know so that we can organise transport and numbers. Give some thought as to whether you want to go for a half day, one day or the full weekend.
Details can be found at: http://issuu.com/aikidoandinternalpowergroup/docs/flyer_for_gasshuku_june
With the new month on us, and the fervent desire of the Treasurer not to have quite so many headaches in keeping the Club's books, we will be trailing new integrated software across all of the classes to track student attendance and training contributions.
In addition we will be trying as much as possible to go "cashless" so that we are not having to keep all of the paper records and separate income streams for when takings get banked. To assist this Kris has kindly donated an iPad, from which we will be logging everything and doing the banking from it.
If you don't have a Visa or Mastercard Debit or Credit card, you can also arrange to directly deposit into the Club's bank account. Details are on the website. If you can't do this, please talk to Michael or Kris this week as a matter of urgency.
Well, the months of preparation that the jujutsu-ka have been committed to will finally be tested this week. I want to congratulate everyone for the effort that they have put in, particularly in recent weeks, and look forward to seeing your demonstrations.
I'd like to encourage all Club members, whether grading or not, or whether you actively practice jujutsu or not, to come along from midday on Saturday to provide support for everyone attempting grades.
For those of you grading, remember that Thursday night will be a full grading prep starting on the dot of 6.30pm. Please make sure that you are there by 6pm so that we can go through final instructions and the specific grading reiho for Saturday.
Gambatte Folks!
Hi Folks! I know all of the jujutsu-ka are putting in the miles for next weekend's grading opportunity. I just wanted to make a few observations to help your prep and just let you know of some time changes over the next two weeks leading up to the grading itself.
First up, the common question I get asked is "what are you really looking for"? Well it depends on the specific grade (obviously) but there are some general principles:
If you have not already downloaded the grading criteria for the level you wish to attempt, I would strongly urge you to do so ASAP and bring it along to the dojo to brush up on what you are a little rusty on.
Given grading prep, I will be changing around some of the training times this week and next. First, both this week and next, Thursday Systema training will go on hiatus in favour of extra Jujutsu sessions. Second, this Saturday, training will commence at 2.30pm in order to allow Michael to make another commitment earlier in the day.
Finally, the grading will commence at 12pm sharp on Saturday 6 May. However, the dojo will be open from 11 am. It is expected that candidates get there at this time to help set up the dojo and prepare it for the grading.
And, as a last note, everyone (friends, family, interested observers from inside or outside the Club) is most welcome to come and watch the grading and provide support to the candidates. I hope to see a crowd there at 12 pm on the 6th!
Brisbane is most fortunate to have one of the earliest foriegn practitioners of Aikido in Brisbane this June, in Bill Gleason Shihan. He currently holds an Aikikai 7th Dan and is coming from Boston to teach us here in Australia. He trained directly under the late Seigo Yamaguchi in Japan, a master widely recognised for his amazing 'ki' power. Anyone interested in generating power from the body's frame, the so called 'movement within movement', in an Aikido setting would be wise to come and join this seminar. This is the 4th time I will have attended his seminar and it is well worth it! Check out this link: http://issuu.com/aikidoandinternalpowergroup/docs/flyer_for_gasshuku_june
Here is a photo of Bill Gleason Shihan throwing me in 2013. Cheers, Addo.
Word in from the wire— Stuart Shaw, the Club's Chinese Arts instructor has made it through to the third round of the Daqingshan International Taiji Competition.
Stuart is one of only three Westerners to go through to the fourth round. More to come through this week. For the latest, make sure you keep looking at the BBRD Facebook Page!
Just to let you know that I am teaching in Springfield on Tuesday this week as a swap for the Ipswich Show Holiday.
As a result, I will be coming in a little later to the dojo, so we will start class at 6.30 pm (so our Thursday drill). Adrian Knight should be there earlier for the regular jodo class in odrer to let folks in and set up the mats. We may have one or two new participant who may be unaware of the revised start time, so I'd ask jujutsuka could get there at the usual time to help orient them.
Keep your comments polite, on topic and succinct. Play nice and everyone benefits!.