Weekend Weapons Practice

Fundamental Weapons Practice for all levels this Saturday!

5th and 4th kyu weapons test guidelines will be covered on Sat Feb 20 & 27.

Saturdays Feb. 20 and 27, 10:30 - 11:30am: we will focus in on the weapons forms outlined in the Birankai 5th and 4th kyu guidelines.

This class, taught by Van Amburgh sensei, is for all levels. 

If you've never held a bokken or jo before have no fear! Come and learn.

What does sanpo mean?

What's the difference between happo giri and suburi happo?

Senior members take advantage of this opportunity to practice the newly allocated weapons test guidelines as a set!

Sunday Morning Practice with Fleshler Sensei coming up February 28, 9am- noon. Expect a combination of body arts and weapons training.

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai 6415 SW Macadam Ave Portland OR 97239

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

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

Learn the basics of Bokken (wooden sword) Tuesdays in December

Bokken Basics: Tuesdays in December

 In this Center Yourself Tuesday series for December, we will study the fundamentals of sword work using the wooden bokken while practicing an eight part kata. No falling is required in this class. Footwork patterns include pivoting, sliding and stepping forward and backward. If you do not have your own bokken you may borrow one from the school during class time.  Come practice! Center yourself with the wooden sword, balance and breath.

During this class we will:
•    Raise the sword in line with the spine
•    Execute sword motions relative to the center line of the body
•    Move our upper body so it’s supported by the motion of the lower body
•    Develop footwork that supports movements of the sword

By practicing these skills we will :

• make good use of the ground so that gravity becomes a friendly force

• enable our bones to transmit power cleanly so that our muscles can relax 

• engage the left hand so that it knows what the right hand is doing 

• educate the left and right half’s of our bodies to coordinate around a central axis 

• allow our ribs to expand and contract in sync with the rise and fall of the sword and breath 

• allow our eyes to settle and align with our intention 

•  improve our balance so that dynamic stability is realized

“Being centered” and “moving from center” will shift from abstract concepts to tangible experiences.

Your instructor: Suzane Van Amburgh
This class is open to the public for a $10 drop in fee. Free to Regular and Community Members of Multnomah Aikikai.
Tuesdays in December: 5:30-6:00pm

Find your Space to Move® at 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.

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 

Samurai! Museum field trip with Multnomah Aikikai

Field trip!

Visit the fabulous Samurai! exhibit at the Portland Art Museum 
with the Multnomah Aikikai community!

Sunday December 8, 2013
We'll meet at 11:45am at the museum.

What to do:
Sign up through the dojo to join our group* and enjoy the discounted ticket rate of $16.

Details: 

Multnomah Aikikai is planning a dojo trip to the amazing exhibit of samurai armor currently on display at the Portland Art Museum.  This is a really exceptional show, whether you are interested in martial arts, history, Japanese culture, technology or art and design.  It includes full size and fully armored horses and riders, an amazing array of different types and styles of armor from the 12^th to the 19^th centuries, as well as swords, bows and polearms.  Particularly in the later armor, made at a time when Japan was at peace, the amazing creativity of the artists is fully on display since the armor was designed more for spectacle than protection. 

Please see the following link for photos and more info: http://www.portlandartmuseum.org/special/samurai/home

This special event is the only west-coast venue for the exhibit, which comes from a single source, the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum in Hardwood, Texas.  Here’s a link


Directions to the Museum:
http://www.portlandartmuseum.org/page.aspx?pid=378

Friends and family are welcome to join Multnomah Aikikai members for this community event! 

*Inquire via the contact form in the right sidebar of this page. Be sure to type Samurai! in your message and include your name, number of tickets requested, email address and phone.