Training times this week

Just a quick note of confirmation that there will be no training on Tuesday night as a result of ANZAC day observance, and the Wednesday lunchtime session at the MBTD will be postponed till next week as Matt G will be away for work training. 

As has been the custom, starting this week, there will be an opportunity to use the MEAC on Sunday mornings parallel to the Kendo session (10.00–11.30 am) for those wanting to get some more "on-mat" practice in preparation for jujutsu shinsa. As I have primary responsibility for the Kendo class, these opportunities will be structured rather than taught, and will be driven by what candidates wish to focus on as they sharpen up their skills in the coming month. 

Date claimer: Jujutsu grading 20 May

The date has been set for the BBRD Jujutsu Autumn grading opportunity. This year, we shall be evaluating up to and including 4KYU on Saturday 20 May. The start time for the physical evaluation will commence at 10 am, though candidates will be expected to be at the dojo earlier to help prepare the MEAC. It is expected to run approximately till 12.30 pm. 

This year, both Steve Witney, sensei, and Jason Griffths, sensei have indicated that they will also serve on the panel to assess and provide feedback to candidates.

There are a number of people eligable to test for 6KYU at this opportunity, which represents a culmination of the nyumon portion of the syllabus, and is hence a major milestone in their budo journey. Therefore, I would like to encourage everyone who can to come along and support the candidates on the day, even if you are not being tested yourself. This can be as an uke, photographer, steward, or just moral support. We will also have lunch at the conclusion of the shinsa. Friends and family are also very welcome to come and observe. Closer to the time we will ask for approximate numbers so that we can cater appropriately.

For candidates preparing to be tested, you first step is to download the relevant grading sheet and evaluate it carefully. These can be obtained from the BBRD Group on Facebook, or you can ask Michael to email you directly. Make sure you check the requirements for the grade in the centre column, make notes/questions about items that require clarification, and ask Michael, sensei, during regular class.  

I want to wish the best for all those preparing in the next month, and as they say in the classics, your examination starts ... now. 

Jodo inter-dojo training

Hello All,

This Saturday (29 April) is planned for the inter-dojo Jodo training with Glen Henry Sensei and students. It is planned for this training to take place at the South Coast Yoshinkan Dojo in Caloundra. Starting time: TBA. I am compiling a list of people interested in attending, and due to the distance car pooling is strongly advised. Further details will be forthcoming.

Also, the BBRD Jodo taste tester is tentatively scheduled for Saturday 13 May at 1400 hrs (2 pm). Confirmation to come. Hope to see everyone there.

Eric

School back this week

I hope that everyone has had a lovely Easter break, and that you are all keen to get back into training this week. Just a quick reminder that even though University is still in recess this week, School is back for Term 2 on Tuesday. We will have to be mindful of fitting around the usual rhythms of the School, including after hours care. We are considering providing a mid-week mop before Flexi Fit in order to keep the MEAC a little more respectable and cleaner under foot, but I will let folk know when we have arranged that.  

Regular training times start from tomorrow, so do ensure that you are on time and ready to commence training when you are in at the dojo. 

Easter seminar round up

I just wanted to once again express my thanks to Kurt Graham, kyoshi, Jason Griffiths, renshi, and Andrew Seyderhelm for providing such excellent instruction over the Easter weekend. It was also brilliant to train with Peter Armstrong again, as it has also been a few years since he has made it up the hill to play canes, and it would be great to see everyone more often.

The sessions were well attended by Club members, and there was much provided that will certainly be used to fire up the Systema, Arnis, and Jujutsu sessions in the coming months.  

I will post a bunch of pictures and video from the weekend over the next day or so. Kurt sensei is being hosted by Revolution Combatives to provide another Arnis seminar this coming Saturday, so if you missed out over the weekend or want a second dose of canes, do consider going along to that session too!

Using wave motion in Systema

Kesa drill during the Jujutsu session

Using correct alignment to lift during the Core Bujutsu session  

Crossing caned with Peter Armstrong  

Jodo practice cancelled Easter Monday

Hello All,

Jodo training will not be held on Easter Monday.

Training will resume usual days and times (Mondays & Wednesdays @ 1900 hrs [7:00 pm]) after the holidays.

Everybody have an excellent long weekend.

Eric

Weekend Seminars

Don't forget to book your tickets for this weekend's seminars, and make sure that you let all of your martial arts friends and associates know. This will be Kurt Graham, sensei's only official seminar in South East Queensland this time around, and almost two years since Andrew Seyderhelm has been up to Toowoomba to teach.

Kurt, sensei, is coming off the back of a highly successful series of seminars in Adelaide last week, and will no doubt be providing phenomenal value in his sessions. Do have a look at the Ittoshinkan Facebook page and give it a like!

I'll look forward to seeing folk on both Friday and Saturday. We already have people confirmed to travel up from Brisbane for the Saturday sessions, which is excellent. Make sure you don't miss out and book through the Club's website: http://www.bbrd.org.au/memberships-and-courses/easter-2017-seminar-series

In particular, if you have ever done any Philippines Martial Arts, or just been curious about them, you should not miss the opportunity to train with one of the world's best exponents. And the Systema and Jujutsu sessions should simply not be missed.

Congratulations Lauren Ole and Dave Johnston

I would like to express our warmest congratulations to Lauren and Dave on the arrival of their son, Magnus Viktor, early on Monday 3 April.

Both Lauren and Magnus are doing well, and we wish the whole family all the best as they settle into their new routines!

Reminder: Dojo clean today

Just a quick reminder that if you are free this morning, we will be at the MEAC helping Jim to move the heavy stuff in order for the MEAC floor to get a good scrub down.

We will also take the opportunity to give the storage area a thorough tidy, dust those forgotten corners and make everything beautiful in time for the weekend seminars!

So if you can, I'll be there from approximately 9.30 am and will appreciate any assistance that can be provided. We ought to be finished by 11.30 am. Text if you are in doubt whether we are still there!

School holiday training

Just a reminder that Holy Name Primary School is on Easter holidays for the next two weeks. This means two practical things for training over the next fortnight. First, we will be able to leave the training surface down this week, though we will have to pack things up on Saturday so that the major floor clean can be accomplished on Monday 10 April. Second, I would ask that Jujutsu Ka be ready to start class by 6.05 pm Tuesday and Thursday given that we do not have to either set up or pack away the mat. 

We will be using the next week to beautify the dojo space ready for the Easter weekend seminars, including putting out our posters, and tidying up the storage area. And if you are available for next Monday (10 April) please come along to the dojo in the morning so that we can give Jim a hand with the floor scrub.