News & Events

Congratulations again to our three members who tested on Saturday, July 30th:  Noam for 5th kyu, Mara and Dimitri for 4th kyu.  All passed with distinction.  We will be saying ‘au revoir’ to Dimitri who will be leaving this month to attend university in Switzerland.  He will be making every effort to keep his aikido going and we wish him all the very best and look forward to his future visits. Also congratulations to the three junior members who also gave outstanding tests. Avery and Will passed their Orange belt tests and Niko passed her Blue belt test. Well done!

 

On Friday, July 30, the SoCal Kyudo Renmei group will be giving a demonstration at the Mingei Museum, Balboa Park, on August 12 at 5:00 pm as part of the Museum’s year long focus on the everyday arts of Japan.  Please talk to Jeremy if you want more details.

 

The dojo demonstration at the Mingei will be taking place at 5 pm on Friday, August 19. We are fortunate to have the use of some easily transportable gymnastic mats.  The logistics of the event are being thought through now and details will be shared soon.  There will be many ways to participate so please put the date on your calendar.  I hope to see many of you there.

 

We are still hoping to hold a CPR/Advanced Life Saving 4 hour class to be arranged to take place at the dojo.  So far we have 7 people signed up and need 10 to make it happen.  The cost per person would be $45, less if more sign up.  If you have friends or family members who would be interested, they would the welcome.

 

I would like to draw your attention to the Dojo Guidelines that are handed out to every new member.  A copy of these will be posted on the bulletin board at the dojo to refresh your memories. Please respect the following dojo etiquette between classes.  If there is a 15 minute period between classes, the first class bows out and has 5 minutes to vacate the mat.  Students for the following class can enter during that time, take 5 minutes to be quietly social then 5 minutes to prepare mentally for the class, lining up 1 minute before the bell goes. Every effort should be made to be on the mat at least 5 minutes before class begins.  A seated bow at the edge of the mat acknowledges your entrance into that mind set. If you arrive late, and the mat is not crowded, step on to the mat and make a seated bow to the kamiza, then wait to be acknowledged by the sensei.  If the mat is crowded, for example at a seminar, sit on the carpeted area.  Once seen, bow to the sensei and enter the class.  If the sensei does not notice you, call out ‘o-negei-shimas(u)’ The same respect should be given to any class going on while watching it from the side.  Conversation should be kept to a minimum.