Balance Challenge Circuit Training Course

The Balance Challenge! Circuit Training Course

Improve your balance, safely and enjoyably, by practicing the balance challenges in this indoor circuit training course. The exercises are varied and fun. Exercises are scalable so you can practice at the level of challenge appropriate for you. Regardless of your skill level, you can improve your balance and have fun doing it!

Saturday August 1, 2015, Noon- 1pm: 

Initial orientation session, $20. Personal training and orientation to the course presented by Suzane Van Amburgh

Saturdays, August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2015, noon to 1pm: 

DIY. Self-directed training for alumni of the orientation session. Suzane Van Amburgh on site and available to offer help and clarification as needed.

Cost?

Once you’ve completed the initial orientation session on August 1, you are eligible to return on subsequent Saturdays for self-directed training (DIY) at a reduced rate of $10.

Multnomah Aikikai members who attend the initial orientation session for $20, are eligible to return on future dates for self-directed training (DIY) at no charge.

Not a member? Become a Multnomah Aikikai Community Member for $20 per month.

Your Instructor and balance coach:

Suzane Van Amburgh developed the balance challenge circuit training course and continually improves the stations of the course. Suzane is a martial arts instructor (aikido and iaido), a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher and a balance trainer. She conducted balance testing and balance training protocols at a physician’s office. She is the founder of the balance lab. Suzane brings fun balance challenges, benchmarks to self-assess progress, and an array of resources to help you explore and improve your own sense of balance.

The exercises:

The training course includes a variety of challenges to improve coordination, proprioception, leg and core strength, how we use our eyes, eye/ hand coordination, somatosensory functioning, use of hip joints and spine.

Our balance is influenced and maintained by the eyes, inner ear, and brain working together. The brain receives signals from the somatosensory system and processes that information along with input from the structures of inner ear and the eyes. Proprioceptors in the ankles and ribs are key to one’s sense of balance and the ability to restore balance. Leg strength and joint functioning are essential factors in balance as well.

When you improve your balance you invest in an improved quality of life. What do you feel safe doing? Even a slight erosion of confidence in you balance over time, will subtly narrow the range of activities you choose to engage in. As confidence in your balance grows, you will broaden your options, move freely and enjoy a more active life.

Whether you are rehabilitating from an injury, training for top performance, or anywhere in between, you will find the right level of challenge for you. If are interested in graceful aging, neuroplasticity, fall prevention or improved decision-making, you will find the Balance Challenge Training Circuit Course fascinating and engaging.

Questions?

Contact Suzane Van Amburgh by email: spacetomoveinfo(at)gmail.com

Find your Space To Move at 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

Walk like a Samurai! Intro to Sword Handling

artist: Daniel Fruelund

Walk like a Samurai!

Introduction to Sword Handling

Wednesdays, 7:30pm
February 4-25, 2015
(Four sessions)

Multnomah Aikikai members participate free.
Series open to the public: $60



Make your body like a blade!

Use your te-gatana.

Enter and cut!

In your Aikido practice, embody the principle of the sword.


The sword is ever present in Aikido practice. Yet, how many of us have familiarity with using a sword?  Basic sword handling will enliven your Aikido practice. This series is open to all members for no additional charge. Know someone interested in sword?  The public is welcome for a fee. The series of four classes build on each other. For this reason, commitment to the series is advised.

Participants may use wooden bokken for this introduction.  If you do not have your own equipment, the dojo has a limited number of bokken available for use during class.  Please preregister by January 31.

This class runs concurrent with our regular Iaido class, led by Van Amburgh Sensei. Basic sword handling skills will be introduced based on the Japanese art of Iaido. Partner exercises may include Aikido weapons forms.

Multnomah Aikikai, 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239

Venture a taste! Bringing on a first course of Aikido practice this month!

Aikido First Course starts Saturday October 11

Serving up your First Course 

in the art and practice of Aikido. 

12 sessions, Sat. mornings and Tue. evenings  

Oct 11- Nov. 22.  Fee $90
  
This series is a progressive beginners' course. Plan to begin on Saturday Oct 11. Arrive 9:45 for registration. Class starts at 10 am with Orientation to Practice and segues to aikido fundamentals class 10:30-11:30am.

Class times:
Tuesday 5:30-6pm: Orientation to Practice
Tuesday 6:15pm-7:15pm: Aikido Fundamentals
Saturday 10-10:3am: Orientation to Practice
Saturday 10:30-11:30am: Aikido Fundamentals
 
 Note: Sat. Oct. 25 join us for an optional field trip to Eugene for a seminar with Phil Vargas Sensei. Click for details. There is no fee to observe seminar classes.

Tue/Sat schedule doesn't work for you?
Become a Regular Member and practice Mon, Wed or Fri at 6:15pm. As a member you can flex your schedule and come to any unrestricted class on the weekly schedule. Click to view schedule.

Drop in for Orientation to Practice It's FREE in October

Join us for The Lines of Engagement Noon, Oct 11, $10.

Fall Aikido Schedule begins September 17

This Fall our adult aikido class schedule shifts focus. You'll see the same basic time slots through the week but the focus of those classes shifts.

Our beginners series, Aikido First Course, begins October 11 and runs Tuesdays and Saturdays through November 22.

Get a taste at the Aikido Appetizer on Saturday October 4th at 10am.

Visitors are welcome to step onto the mat and join us for the half-hour Orientation to Practice, Tuesdays at 5:30pm or Saturdays at 10am (through October 28). After, we invite you to stay and observe the fundamentals class.

The public is also welcome to join us for the Lines of Engagement on second Saturdays at noon, Oct 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. The fee is $10.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6:15pm classes are core classes for members of all levels and focus on our monthly teaching theme.  Become a regular member and train in any of these classes.

Two classes on the schedule are restricted to members ranked 5th kyu and above: Tuesdays 7:30pm and Thursdays 6:15pm.

Advanced class is held once a month on the first Tuesday in the 7:30pm time slot.

Aikido! What's it like? Watch a class

       

Observing Aikido Class

What are you watching?

No class is “typical.” We encourage you to watch several. Techniques can be applied slowly and gently or quickly and powerfully. We practice a variety of movement qualities.

Warm up period

Class generally begins with “warm ups” which may last 10-20 minutes. In our dojo this may include a combination of stretching, breathing, sensory motor coordination exercises, conditioning and traditional centering techniques. Why do we do it? Warm ups prepare us for the activity we are about to engage in physically and mentally. Each day we are different. Warm up period brings us present with our bodies and minds and orients us toward awareness in the present moment. Physically, this minimizes risk of injury. Mentally, awareness of self in its present state is paramount to engaging appropriately with another person.

Technique time

The traditional format of class is for an instructor demonstration followed by partner practice. The instructor may veer from traditional format from time to time in order to keep practice fresh and attention sharp. There are many aspects of training to explore and the instructor may draw the students’ attention to a particular facet of the art.

Etiquette provides a container and structure for the very dynamic and unpredictable nature of the martial encounter. Aikido training is appropriate for all ages and abilities. Students develop at an individual pace and learn to adapt to different practice partners. Respect, attention and appreciation for our training partners and the class instructor are highly held values.

How many techniques are there?

It depends how you count them. There is a set of core techniques that we practice from different attacks and in different configurations. There are an infinite number of variations. Because each person is unique and each encounter is unique, Aikido practice is continually fascinating and fulfilling throughout a lifetime of training.

Visitors are welcome to observe regular aikido classes anytime. Check our class schedule and drop by. No appointment needed.

Schedule: http://www.multnomahaikikai.com/schedule/