Year End, New Year Schedule

Hello fine people. Below is our end of the year schedule. This schedule includes home practices that are congruent with the focus we had at the traditional Dojo in Japan. The end of the Year, and beginning of the next was always done with ritual.

*** Today Monday is Train at your level day in all of the classes. 12noon and 7pm is the beginner’s seminar. (Regular class is still going on at this time too)

DEMO AND TESTING DAY (all levels)
****TUESDAY DECEMBER 22ND 12NOON, 5PM, AND 6PM


***LAST TRAINING OF THE YEAR WEDNESDAY December23rd WITH A SPECIAL CEREMONY AT THE END OF EACH CLASS
***12NOON Adult class
***5PM youth and family class
***6PM Adult class



Dojo rest December 24th-January 1st
I would like to give everyone 3 assignments:
1.This is the time to contemplate your victories and defeats for 2009
2. Please contemplate violent conflict resolution vs. peaceful conflict resolution
3. Boken cuts to focus on clarity, peace, and positive extension of energy


***New Year’s first class of the Year Saturday January 2nd 9:30am, Special Ceremony to follow.

***Youth and Family Class special beginning class on January 4th, special ceremony at the end of class!

Instructors can impart only a fraction of the teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that the mysteries of Aikido are brought to life. Morihei Ueshiba

Dec 09

Hello fine people. Can you believe that it is almost the end of 2009? That means it’s time for the 2010 New Years resolution planning to begin. Let’s set an intention to make 2010 the best year for YOU. Please use the new way in which we teach and share the curriculum so that you can move up systematically and enjoy the whole process. The Aikido we do on the ma,t is the Aikido we demonstrate on the demo and testing days. It’s easier than the past way of testing and it’s a whole lotta fun for every level. Please pick at least one of the demo and testing days and do your thing!

This week at the Dojo :

Wednesday: is train at your level day in all of the classes .

Wednesday: Black Belt seminar at 12noon, and 7pm( regular classes still on)

Saturday at 11am is the demo and testing make up day = we will practice and demo this month’s curriculum. You can earn a stripe, or even test for the next Kyu level especially if you can’t make the demo and testing at the end of the month. Demo, test, or practice! Open to Adult, Youth and Family class members.



DEMO AND TESTING SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER

Monday the 28th; 12 noon/ 5pm youth and family/ 7pm

Tuesday the 29th; 12 noon/ 5pm youth and family/ 6pm

Wednesday the 30th, 12 noon/ 5pm youth and family/ 7pm

It is important to me that everyone in the Dojo understands the system, so if you need help, please call to set up a time where I can go over everything you will need to succeed!

Also I have included a link to youtube with a video of December’s curriculum.

Keep gettin’ betta. Vince Sensei

Winter Wonderland of Awareness

Good morning fine people. Reno has become a winter wonderland! This is a great time to practice your AWARENESS. When you walk out your front door check how slippery it is before traveling off. If you are driving, check the conditions of the road and maintain control of your speed and braking in all situations. Just like when we learn a new technique, start slow and be aware. The Dojo is open for regular schedule today, and the rest of the week.
This week at the Dojo:

***Monday through Thursday: Jiyu waza practice at 8pm class. Our Black Belts will be running you through many freestyle practices.

***Tuesday is Train at Your Level Day in all of the classes. Youth and Family class at 5pm.

***Tuesday: Intermediate seminar for the Ranks of 4th and 3rd Kyus, Adult Students at 12noon and 6pm.

***Saturday: HUGE EVENT after regular class. Laughter Yoga workshop 11am till your belly hurts so much that you can’t take it anymore, or 12 noon. Laughter is the best medicine, and in this Holiday season many people get so stressed that they are unable to enjoy it. This seminar will teach you some techniques that will make you smile, laugh, and feel better! Open to all students, family members, all ages, anyone that you know that could benefit from this practice. The seminar will be taught by certified teacher Daria. $5 donantion appreciated.

**And if you don’t know what to get that special someone for the Holidays, how about an Aikido of Reno Gift Certicate? There are many options available.

**Aikido of Reno Sweatshirt , $30 for a beautiful hooded zippered baby, (just $30) please order before this Thursday.

Let’s have a safe, fantastic week practicing our AWARENESS. IT’S ALL PRACTICE.

Ho Ho Ho

Hello fine people. We have some wonderful things planned for December! We had the whole month written up in a newsletter format to send out to everyone except it just disintegrated before my eyes. We will send it out tomorrow. I am going to write out what is going on this week.

This week at the Dojo:

***Thursday is Train at your level day in all of the classes.

***Thursday is the advanced seminar for 2nd and 1st kyus at 12noon, and 7pm.

***Thursday, Parent’s meeting at 5pm, we are going to go over the curriculum and our new systems.

***Friday is movie night at the Dojo. It starts at 6pm till 9pm, Aikido Class/pizza/ movie/popcorn and a whole lotta fun. Adult students are welcome to attend also. $5 per student.

***Saturday is Sempai training after the regular class. We will film this month’s curriculum and discuss some higher level principles.

Aikido of RenoSweatshirt order: We are going to order sweatshirts and if you would like one or more, please let us know your size and sign up on the bulletin board sign up sheet.

Let’s have a fantastic week practicing the beautiful and dynamic art of Aikido, It’s a gift man! Sincerely, Vince Sensei

Big Bird Day is coming! Prepare

Hello Fine people. We had a fantastic seminar this past weekend. If you were unable to participate, don’t worry. We will be covering some of the material this week in class. I thought we were very lucky to have such a great teacher that is really focused on O’Sensei come and share some beautiful Aikido with us!

This week at the Dojo:

***Monday today: it is train at your level day, all day, in all of the classes. Black Belt seminar at 12 noon and 7pm. Still regular classes are going on at this time.

***Thursday the Dojo will be closed for Thanksgiving Day. Don’t eat too much! But if you do come into the Dojo and work it off.

**if we haven’t seen you for a little while, don’t worry, just come to the Dojo and enjoy your practice. It is the best way to get re-going.

Let’s have a great week! Vince Sensei

Conflict Resolution at the Native American Youth Leadership Conference 15 Nov 09

Aikido of Reno was invited to lead a Conflict Resolution seminar to a group of high school youth and teachers at the Native American Youth Leadership Conference at Circus Circus. Vince Sensei gave this youth group alternative ways to deal with conflict, anger and fear. Instead of using their fists or angry words, they could practice becoming calm through breathing, being aware of a defensible space around them and extending their open hands in a gesture of peace. Planting an alternative idea or response in these student's minds and having them physically experience how it works in a conflict situation was a meaningful exposure to a fundamental Aikido principle.
If any organization or business is interested in hosting a Conflict Resolution seminar, please contact the dojo at 337-8030.

Ninja Assassins

Hello fine people. Yesterday I was watching part of a football game and an ad for “Ninja Assasin”(new martial arts movie) came on. I noticed the amount of violence that was on this short little ad and realized that most people that watch TV are not really even aware of the amount of violence we are exposed to everyday. I am not saying that I haven’t watched martial art movies before, it’s just if you are being exposed to an over abundance of visual violence it’s probably not the best thing for your well being. Some things you can do to neutralize the visual violence effect; turn off your TV, go for a walk, or come to the Dojo and practice the dynamic art of non-violence called Aikido.

And check out this link to Saturday’s Sempai training on some of the stuff for this month:



This week at the Dojo

***Train atYour Level Day on Thursday

***Intermediate seminar for the ranks of 4th and 3rd KYUS at 12nooon and 7pm. Regular class still going on at this time.

November 20-22, Mary Heiny Sensei seminar. She is one of the American Aikido Icons that has direct experience with O’Sensei. Please take advantage to sign up early and guarantee your spot on the mat. This seminar is open to advanced students from the youth program also.

Stay positive and feel the power of blending with violence. Vince Sensei