Power Without Struggle: Jan. 15-17, 2016

Winter Workshop at Multnomah Aikikai

Jan 15- 17, 2016
Power Without Struggle, a workshop at Multnomah Aikikai
Open to yudansha and 1st kyu aikido practitioners

The integration of upper and lower body motion is a skill that is learned over a long arc.

When people struggle to perform technique, there may be an array of reasons for it, however the integration of upper and lower body movement is usually missing. Read more...

Proceeds will be donated to the T.K. and Mitsuko Chiba Seminar Endowment Fund Suggested donation: $80 - $120.

Open to yudansha and 1st kyu practitioners. This will be limited to a small group of students.

Presented by Suzane Van Amburgh, shidoin

Friday Jan. 15: 7:30-8:30pm

Saturday Jan 16: 10am-11:30am, break for lunch, 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Format: Body arts and weapons. Along with Aikido, we will explore auxiliary activities to sense the generation of power and tie the experience back to the application of aikido techniques. Portions will be video recorded to provide feedback to participants. Group discussion over meals.

Sunday morning segment taught by Aki Fleshler Sensei, shihan

Find your powertrain!

Learn more:

http://multnomahaikikai.blogspot.com/p/power-without-struggle.html

Kagami Biraki

Happy New Year!

Kagami Biraki  is a traditional Japanese New Year celebration. It literally translates to "Opening the Mirror" (from an abstinence) or, also, "Breaking of the Mochi. In martial arts dojos a special Kagami Biraki practice marks the beginning of the year. It is both a celebration and a time to reflect. 


Multnomah Aikikai celebrates Kagami Biraki 
on Tue January 12, 2016. Join us at 5:45pm:

Fold a crane for the new year, followed by
Aikido practice, then celebrate with sake and mochi.

excerpt from Aikido Today Article*:

The symbolism of the mirror, which is central to Kagami Biraki, dates back to the original trilogy myth (along with the sword and the jewel) of the creation of Japan. By the 15th century Shinto had interpreted the mirror and sword to be important symbols of the virtues that the nation should venerate. They also symbolized creation, legitimacy and authority of the Emperor and by extension the Samurai class itself as part of the feudal system.

The mirror enabled people to see things as they are (good or bad) and thus represented fairness or justice. The mirror was also a symbol of the Sun Goddess — a fierce spirit (the light face of god).

Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, emerging from the cave**

Swords had long been given spiritual qualities among the Samurai. And their possession contributed to a sense of purpose and destiny inherent within the Samurai culture. So legendary were some swords that they were thought to posses their own spirit (kami).

Considered as one of the Samurai’s most important possessions, the sword (and other weapons) symbolized their status and position. Firm, sharp and decisive, the sword was seen as a source of wisdom and venerated for its power and lightning-like swiftness, but it was also seen as a mild spirit (the dark face of god).

Taken together, the mirror and sword represent the Japanese In and Yo, or two forms of energy permeating everything — the primeval forces of the universe from which everything springs — the source of spirit empowering the Emperor by extension Samurai class who was in his service.

It was from this time (15th century), it is said, that the tradition of Kagami Biraki began. It developed as a folk Shinto observation with a particular class (Samurai) bent.

*Read the entire article on Aikido Today:

http://aikidotoday.com/kagami-biraki-aikido-dojo-samurai-tradition/


**image of Amaterasu: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amaterasu_cave_edit2.jpg
date: 1857,安政4年, artist: 三代豊国,歌川国貞(Utagawa Toyokuni III,Kunisada)

Jan. 4 class cancelled due to ice!

Ice, it's not just a driving hazard!

The snow yesterday seemed pleasant enough, but overnight everything froze solid. This morning trees, cars, roads and power lines all encased in ice.

Class is cancelled for today, Monday Jan 4th. Stay off the roads if you can. even walking can be hazardous with chunks of ice dropping from trees, houses, even power lines.

In this brief video you can see a bar of ice drop from a power line crashing to the ice encrusted ground. Watch the corner of the grey house. It happens two seconds in. You can hear it crash at 3 seconds.

Trouble seeing the video? Click here.

If the ice melts and the weather is cooperative then we'll kick off our Winter Training Intensive tomorrow, Tuesday Jan 5th. Remember class begins at 5:45pm!

  

Links to check for the latest Portland weather forecast:

http://www.katu.com/weather 

http://www.kgw.com/weather 

http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/OR/Portland.html

If we ever need to cancel class due to weather, we'll post a notice on Upcoming Dates.

Winter Training Intensive 2016: From the Ground Up

Multnomah Aikikai provides winter intensive training in January of each year. 

Winter training is a time to sense your center; a deep ember, burning and warming your body. Nurture that ember and sense the fire within you.

Through practice with each other the fire grows and radiates, warming the hands and feet, radiating out and sparking the fire in each other.

The theme for this January’s Winter Intensive is  From the Ground Up.   Look for opportunities to condition your core, hips, legs and feet. Sense the strength of your lower body and the power the ground offers. Fuel your technique, your ukemi and your spirit.

Share with each other what you’ve learned about conditioning and taking care of your feet, legs, hips, and core.

When the lower body is strong and well coordinated you can make good use of the ground forces to support movements of the upper body. Chest, spine and shoulders become supple and free.

We’ll practice our techniques from suwari waza, hanmi handachi and tachi waza this month.

In Japan, winter intensive is a time period when people resolve to practice everyday. This January, come to the dojo as much as you can and mark your attendance every day that you come in. At the end of the month we’ll recognize the mu-kyu, kyu and dan members who trained the most.

Schedule changes and special events for Winter Intensive

For January, we’ll practice in a different rhythm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in three class segments. This will allow us to add a fundamentals class, a nikkyu and above class and a iaido/ sword handling class to our training schedule.

Tue 5:45-6:30pm, fundamentals

Tue 6:45-7:30pm, all levels

Tue 7:45-8:45pm, sword handling for aikidoists/ Iaido class

Thu 5:45-6:30pm, fundamentals

Thu 6:45-7:30pm, all levels

Thu 7:45-8:30pm, 2nd kyu and above

The rest of the class schedule, Mon, Wed, Fri, Saturday remains unchanged.

Special events:

Jan 5,  First Tuesday

Jan 9, Sat: Balance Challenge

Jan 12, Tue: Kagami Biraki; full community event

5:45pm - 6:30pm Fold a Crane for the New Year

6:45- 7:30pm Traditional New Year’s practice for all levels

7:45-8:30: celebrate with tea and sake.

Jan 15- 17, Fri- Sun: Winter workshop Power Without Struggle;

More news to come! Stay Connected!

Follow Dojo News and check in regularly with Upcoming Dates

Improve your balance. Take the Balance Challenge January 9

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!

Click to see Balance Challenge activities 2015

Saturday January 9, 2016, Noon- 1pm: 

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

DIY. Self-directed training for alumni of the orientation session for $10. Suzane Van Amburgh on site and available to offer help and clarification as needed.

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

"The balance class is relevant for all ages willing to try it. You don't realize how your balance changes as you get older, usually not for the better. However, improvements can be made almost immediately and there are balance exercises for people of all ages and abilities. And it's fun!" 

~ Kristin Mitchell, Balance Challenge Alumna

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

Dear Uke, You are the Ink!

Taking Ukemi - You are the Ink
by Suzane Van Amburgh

Do you take ukemi the same way on a person's kyu test that you do in regular class?

When a person tests, he or she is performing specific forms as clearly as that candidate can. The test is a time to demonstrate one's understanding and embodiment of the principles of aikido. As uke, your job is to reflect clearly what the practitioner is demonstrating.

The format of the kyu test usually requires the candidate to perform certain classic techniques in their most basic and fundamental form. We have a clear, published curriculum; the Birankai North America kyu guidelines. A 5th kyu test includes a specific list of techniques to perform. As the student progresses more complexity and knowledge of variations is expected. However, in the lower kyu ranks we set a pretty clear expectation of exactly what techniques they can expect to have to perform.

As uke, on a person's test, your job is to move with them wherever they go. It's not about you; it's not about what you think is right or correct. This is not a time to lead them or "help" them. Launch a clear and accurate attack and then your body should provide a clear reflection of their movement (to the best of your ability).


Nage is an artist, wielding a brush. You are the ink stuck to the end of that brush. Wherever your foot falls on the mat, wherever your body makes contact with the mat, is the resulting art; the calligraphy or the lines and splotches reflecting that artist's intention and technique.


If the artist hesitates, will the witnesses see that hesitation in the wobble of your back foot? How clearly can you follow their movement while still taking care of yourself in the motion? The term ukemi comes from the verb ukeru; to receive or accept. Accept your partner's movement.

If your nage does something unexpected, will you be there - all parts ready and willing to go in the direction they take you? This is the best service you can provide to your fellow dojo member and to the teachers watching the test.

Try out the same approach in regular class. We practice in many ways and we provide different kinds of "nutrition" to our practice partners. However, ask yourself, as you accept their technique, are you the ink?

Rolling sequence video for aikido practice and teaching

Beginning Aikido students are often introduced to rolling practice in their first week on the mat. The experience of getting down on the ground and coming up again is fundamental and yet also instinctive. New students have so much going on mentally, emotionally and physically as they begin a new movement practice.

Small rolls, sometimes called "Bucky Ball" rolls or "baby rolls" offer teachers a rich opportunity to orient the new student, practice learning skills, foster attention skills and give them something they can do successfully and improve upon quickly.

For more senior students, the practice serves as a mental and physical warm up, calming the nervous system and relaxing the body.

Bringing attention to what you do and how you do it, matching your breathing to your movement and varying your intention in movement are all excellent ways to prepare yourself for aikido practice.

In this quiet (no-talking) video, Suzane Van Amburgh Sensei demonstrates a rolling practice sequence useful for all levels, from beginner to senior student.  It begins with orientation to the relative position of body parts, rocking left and right. It progresses through use of weight shifts, finding the natural levers and counterbalances of the body, smooth transitions from sitting to side lying and up to sitting again. By the end of the video, the roll has evolved to advanced sequences requiring clear intention, core conditioning, good body control and awareness of the space around you.

Let this post serve as a reference tool and "cliff notes" for aikidoists in your regular rolling practice.

If rolling is new to you, don't try this alone. Come to the dojo or schedule a private lesson with a certified aikido teacher.

Suzane Van Amburgh, shidoin, Multnomah Aikikai

Rolling sequence 5:37 recorded 2015

Trouble viewing the video? Here's the link to the video shared on google:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B71m_xdJDqYvekVBdnVSR3lBYXM/view?usp=sharing