Take a Tour of the Adult Aikido Class Schedule

Tour de Schedule

Here's a walk-through of our adult class schedule. People often ask questions about what classes are like, which classes they should attend and who teaches when. I hope this tour is helpful to members in understanding our class schedule.

Our classes tend to range from about 2-15 people. Classes are small and the people leading classes are attentive to who is in the class. The class will be geared to the folks who show up for class. So, show up and the class will be tailored for you! Exercises taught are scalable. That means movements demonstrated can be practiced at a beginner level or a more advanced level, along a spectrum. Teachers and senior students are happy to work with beginners.

If you are a beginner we recommend you practice 2-3 days per week and make at least one of your classes a "Fundamentals" class. After watching attendance patterns and trends in teacher availability, we have established that certain class times make sense to designate as "Fundamentals." These class periods have attracted beginners consistently: Tuesdays 6:15pm, Wednesday 6:15pm and Saturday 10:30am.

Beginners are not constrained to Fundamentals classes! Feel free to practice Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays or Monday 12:30, Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, or any combination that works for your schedule. All regular adult members are eligible to attend any unrestricted class.

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
10:00 AM						Private lessons
10:30 AM	Private lessons					Fundamentals/ All levels: SV
12:30 PM	All levels: SV				All levels: AF	Periodic special Saturday classes, usually noon-1pm :SV
			Private lessons			Private lessons
5:00 PM	Reserved		Children's class	Reserved	Children's class
6:15 PM	All levels: AF (SMS/JO)	Fundamentals/ All levels (except for first Tuesday*) rotate among AF, SV, JO, SMS	Fundamentals/ All levels: JPO (SMS)	All levels: AF (JO/SMS)
7:30 PM		Bokken/ Iaido: SV/AF		Weapons & Body Arts: AF (SMS/JO)

Who teaches which classes?
Everyone who leads a class in our dojo does so on a volunteer basis. The teachers all have jobs outside the dojo and we all balance dojo with work and family commitments. So, we have an adaptive system in place for covering classes. One person serves as "primary' teacher of the time slot and 1-2 others serve as back up. The four main people leading classes stay in tight communication to make sure classes are covered. Here is the primary teaching schedule:

Monday 12:30pm:
A new class taught by Van Amburgh Sensei (SV). The nature of class will be determined according to who attends regularly.
Monday 6:15pm:
Usually taught by Fleshler Sensei (AF).
Tuesday 6:15pm:
Teaching responsibility rotates among all four (AF, SV, JPO and SMS). First Tuesday of the month we hold advanced class open to 2nd kyu +. Beginners are encouraged to observe class. If you are dressed in gi, you may be invited onto the mat for part of class.
Tuesday 7:30pm Iaido/ bokken class:
Fleshler or Van Amburgh Sensei
Wednesday 6:15pm:
Oliva Sensei. Previously Van Amburgh Sensei taught this class regularly however she is now teaching more in Forest Grove. Wednesday night will be a good night for Oliva Sensei to teach regularly starting in May. Through March and April you may see Sean Sheedy Sempai or Van Amburgh Sensei teaching on Wednesdays.
Thursday 6:15pm:
Fleshler Sensei. This class tends to be faster paced requiring more challenging ukemi skills.
Thursday 7:30pm:
Fleshler Sensei. This class may incorporate weapons work, body arts or both.
Friday 12:30pm:
A new class taught by Fleshler Sensei. The nature of class will be determined according to who attends regularly.
Saturday 10:30am:
Usually taught by Van Amburgh Sensei. This class time has been popular among beginning students. Content is usually geared toward developing the skills to be able to perform a 5th kyu test well. All levels benefit from this practice. The fundamental techniques of the 5th kyu guidelines lay the foundation for the entire curriculum.

Weekends:
Periodically special classes are scheduled on weekends. Van Amburgh sensei often runs themed classes on Saturdays noon-1pm. Flesher Sensei runs a Sunday morning practice about once a month. Regional seminars are often held over a weekend. Stay connected with Upcoming Dates and the Seminar page for details on weekend events.

Cancellations:
Once in a while we run into a situation where no one is available to teach. At that point we look to a long-standing member to open the dojo and host a "free practice." That member holds responsibility to maintain a safe practice atmosphere and be available to help people out responding to questions, etc. Participants may be self-directed and collaborative in their learning.

If we ever need to cancel a class an announcement will be posted on Upcoming Dates. We also do our best to notify by email the people who attend classes regularly. Please keep us updated with your best email address.

Upcoming Dates is a Google doc maintained by Van Amburgh Sensei. You can get to it from the Dojo News navigation bar or go to http://tinyurl.com/aikidodates.
Here's the google link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6wm7n72FK4IT3XthH61MF-WfoZpULjZBJX0LnR3dms/edit

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai 6415 SW Macadam Ave Portland OR 97239

Holiday Schedule, Class cancellations, Upcoming Dates

Here is a summary of important Upcoming Dates at the dojo in December and January. Blue font indicates a hyperlink to more information.  

Members, please bookmark these links on your smart-phone and check frequently: Dojo News and http://tinyurl.com/aikidodates.

Holiday class cancellations and schedule: 

Adult classes are cancelled Dec 24-28. 

Class will be held on Monday Dec 29 and Tue Dec 30.

Classes are cancelled Wed. Dec 31 and Thursday Jan 1.

Winter weather note: 

Class cancellations due to inclement weather will be posted on Upcoming Dates: 

http://tinyurl.com/aikidodates.

Summary of upcoming public events:

Fold a Crane for the New Year! Jan. 7, Wed. 4:45- 6pm, FREE

Aikido Appetizer, Saturday January 31, 2015, FREE

Aikido First Course: Tue/Sat, Feb 3 - Mar 14. $90

Center Yourself Tuesdays: 5:30pm- 6:00 pm Tuesdays. $10

The Lines of Engagement, Second Saturdays, noon, $10

Introduction to Sword Handling: 7:30pm Wednesdays Feb. 4-25

Quick reference to upcoming dojo events in Jan-Feb 2015. 

Events displayed in bold italics are open to the public.

Check for updates to this schedule on: http://tinyurl.com/aikidodates.

2015 Jan 4, Sunday in Forest Grove: 

A special event at Aikido Forest Grove. Hosted by Dave Dewberry Sensei. Save the date! Details TBA.

2015 Jan 6, First Tuesday: Advanced class 7:30pm

2015 Jan. 7, Wed. 4:45- 6pm:  Fold a Crane for the New Year! 

Origami folding activity for adults and children. Paper and instructions provided. Suzane Sensei will be available to help you!

2015 Tuesdays in January, 5:30-6:00pm (starts Jan 6): Jo staff basics. This series is a great introduction if you are new to jo work! For members familiar with jo, this is a chance to center yourself before the 6:15pm class and warm up your hips.

2015 Jan. 10, Second Saturdays at noon, Lines of Engagement.

2015 Jan 16-18, Ukemi Weekend:  What do you want to improve?  Principles of ukemi will be taught and applied to a variety of situations; body arts and weapons. Schedule details TBA.

2015 Jan 31, Sat. 10am: Aikido Appetizer, a FREE Introduction to Aikido. Open to the public. Spread the word! Invite your friends and family. All are welcome. Members please mark the date and plan to attend.

2015 Jan 31, Sat noon: Girls self-defense program, details TBA

2015 Feb 3 - Mar 14: Aikido “First Course” beginners series.

2015 Feb 3, First Tuesday, Advanced class at 7:30pm

2015 Feb 4- 25, 7:30pm, Introduction to Japanese Sword Handling: Wed evening series of 4 sessions. Free to members. Open to the public for a fee of  $60.

2015 aikido seminars 

Go to: Dojo News Seminar info page

New format for testing and rank promotion deemed sucessful

They say necessity is the mother of invention. As our dojo approached the time for students to test, it became clear that a single night testing format was not going to serve the membership.

We had people, ripe for promotion, who were practicing with injuries.  The teachers and teacher candidates who needed to observe testing had divergent work schedules. We were scarce on available ukes. We had potential rank promotions ranging from 5th kyu to yudansha. One night just wasn't going to work.

I've seen other martial arts schools implement a testing period of several days. Candidates are observed over a period of time and promotions may or may not come out at the end of the period. I haven't seen that format employed in aikido dojos. Of course as teachers we watch students over time and the testing night is a culmination of a longer period of test preparation. You can't "cram" for an aikido test! However, I've always seen aikido dojo testing conducted in one session; usually in the course of one evening.

At our dojo I proposed we hold a multiple evening, all-dojo evaluation and testing event. Teachers and teacher candidates discussed schedule and we agreed upon three consecutive nights. Students preparing for tests agreed to clear their schedules and come all three nights. Middle and younger ranks came to the days that they could.

Over the three nights, a large percentage of the Birankai curriculum was called. A mix of standing, sitting and hanmi handachi techniques were covered each night as well as weapons forms. Candidates had a chance to serve as both uke and nage. If a fundamental form was performed weakly on one night, there was a chance to do better in the next night.  When one candidate surpassed expectations, I had the chance to raise the bar on the following night and give him a chance to perform at a level above the rank he was testing for.

As the three nights came to conclusion we clearly had come through the fire together as a group. Tension had dropped, shoulders had melted and we announced 6 new promotions.* Individuals not testing for specific rank were offered a challenge  and invitation to prepare for the next testing opportunity. Teachers and teaching candidates had the opportunity to evaluate where we are as a dojo and what material the members need to study in regular weekly classes.

Listening to students after the event, it was clear that this format was a good experiment. One member mentioned it felt like the end of summer camp; no tension left. Just continuous movement, washed in sweat, revolving around and within ones center.

photo provided by Terese Scollard

*Promoted April 3, 2014

Sandan: Sean Sheedy, Jon Paul Oliva

Shodan: Kevin Greenwood, Sanders Anderson

Nikyu: James Murray

Gokyu: Troy Wilson




Article written by by Suzane Van Amburgh

Contact us: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai  |  503-246-8120

6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239 

Have your registered yet for Aikido Summer Camp?

The 15th annual 
Birankai North America

Raven and the light ~ summer camp poster image

Aikido Summer Camp

July 18-23, 2014 
Pacific University,
Forest Grove, Oregon

On-line registration is open! 

Early Registration deadline: May 10th. 
Regular Registration deadline: June 5th. Registration closes June 5th.

The schedule is posted!

For the latest information go to:
www.birankai.org/summercamp

Guest instructor this year is
Yoko Okamoto Sensei, 6th dan, Shihan from Aikido Kyoto, Japan

Enjoy this video of Okamoto Sensei teaching at our BNA 2011 Aikido Summer Camp:
Okamoto sensei iriminage to kaitenage...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiL3nuVjLZ4
  
"Like" the camp page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birankai-Summer-Camp/116247208564934

Questions? 
Check the webpage for frequently asked questions:
http://camp.birankai.org/2014/registration/registration-faq

Still stumped? Contact: birankai@gmail.com or call 503-683-2454

Start Aikido practice in October!

Multnomah Aikikai 

Aikido training for all abilities and ages.

Start dates for Aikido 101; Principles of Balance :

Tue. Oct. 1 at 5:30pm

Wed. Oct. 2 at 6:15pm

Sat. Oct. 5 at 10:00am

Tue. Oct. 8 at 5:30pm

Wed. Oct. 9 at 6:15pm

Choose your start date and section:

Aikido 101; Principles of Balance,  Section 1: Wed/ Sat

Fundamentals: Wednesdays 6:15pm - 7:15pm;

Orientation: Saturdays 10am-10:30am; Applications: Saturdays 10:30am- 11:30am
Primary instructors for section 1: Senseis Van Amburgh and Scollard.

Aikido 101; Principles of Balance,  Section 2: Tue/ Wed

Orientation: Tuesdays 5:30pm- 6:00pm; Applications: Tuesdays 6:15pm-7:15pm;

Fundamentals: Wednesdays 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Primary instructors for section 2: Senseis Fleshler and Van Amburgh

View the schedule as it lays out on the dojo's October Calendar

 

Program description:

This course for adults will introduce the fundamentals of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, “The Way of Harmony.”  In a hands-on approach, teachers will provide instruction in the principles of balance, efficiency of movement, falling safely, and practical self-protection techniques.  In a low-stress, supportive atmosphere infused with the joy of practice, students will develop focus and “practice with attention” as a strategy for self-directed learning. Students will learn at their own pace, working with teachers and partners and progressing from static to more dynamic encounters.  No prerequisites.

The program schedule includes Orientation, Fundamentals and Applications. The 30 minute Orientation session precedes the 60 minute Applications class for both section 1 and section 2 participants. All students (section 1 and 2) participate in the Wednesday Fundamentals class.

Fee: $192

Flexible start dates: Tue Oct 1, Wed Oct 2, Sat Oct 5, Tue Oct 8, Wed Oct 9.

Program ends Wed Dec 18 (regardless of start date).

Questions? Contact us or visit the dojo. You are welcome to observe a class any time during regular class hours. Click here for class schedule.

Need a flexible training schedule? Just Start! You may join as a regular member any time.

Contact us: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com
Aikido Multnomah Aikikai  |  503-246-8120
6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239

Regular adult aikido class schedule

Note our Children's classes are held Wednesdays and Fridays 5 pm-6 pm.

Regular schedule of adult aikido classes:

Tuesdays
5:30 - 6:00pm, Center Yourself/Orientation to Practice (open to the public) click for more info.
6:15pm, body arts
7:30pm, weapons

Wednesdays
6:15pm,  body arts/ fundamentals
7:30pm, Iaido (click for more info)

Thursdays
6:15pm - 7:45pm, body arts and weapons
Note: On the first Thursday of the month the 6:15pm class ends at 7:15. Yudansha class begins 7:30pm.

Fridays
6:15pm - 7:15pm, body arts

Saturdays (starting Oct. 5)
10:00am - 10:30am, Orientation
10:30am - 11:15am, body arts

For special events, periodic weapons intensives and other dated events please check upcoming dates from the main navigation.

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai is located at 6415 SW Macadam Ave Portland OR

If you are closer to Forest Grove OR, visit the Forest Grove Aikido dojo for training on Mondays and Wednesdays: http://www.fgaikido.com/home/schedule