Aikido Summer Camp in New York City June 9-14, 2016

Registration is now available for the 2016 Birankai North America Aikido Summer Camp! 

All the information students need about camp can be found here: http://camp.birankai.org . Please note the early registration deadline of April 15^th . We encourage students to register ASAP to receive the discounted rate! The dates of Camp are June 9-14, 2016.

To qualify for early registration rates, payment of at least 50% must be received before the early registration period ends on April 15 and the balance by May 15. For all residential registrations, to avoid the $50 late registration fee, payment must be made in full by May 15.

Travel Information

New York City has many airport options, but we suggest flying into La Guardia or John F. Kennedy airports, as they are the closest to St. John's University.

Once in New York City, the best way to get to camp is by taxi. If you arrive during non-rush hours, the cost of the taxi will be greatly reduced. It is a good idea to arrive with other camp participants to share a cab to St. John's University. There will be no shuttle service this year as St. John's is only 7 miles from LaGuardia airport. 

Questions?

Questions regarding 2016 BNA Summer Camp can be sent to birankai@gmail.com.

Scholarship Application Process Now Open

Birankai North America is pleased to announce the Birankai Summer Camp 2016 Scholarship Program for students and instructors.The purpose of the Scholarship Program is to support the cohension of our organization through financial support of students and teachers to attend camp. Please see the attached letter and scholarship application and terms process which provides more details on this program. 

The application deadline is April 6th. All materials must be received by this date for applicants to be considered for support for this year's camp.

Interested members should apply online HERE. The scholarship money will be disbursed to the recipients after the Summer Camp.

If you have questions about the program please contact Terri Park.

The dates of Camp are June 9-14, 2016

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

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

February class schedule highlights

Our January Intensive training comes to a conclusion this week and we return to a regular schedule starting February 1, with a couple of twists.

Schedule overview:

Mondays
12:30pm - 1:30pm: all levels
6:15pm - 7:15 pm: all levels

Tuesdays
6:15pm - 7:15pm: all levels
7:30pm- 8:30pm: Iaido/ bokken

Wednesdays
5pm - 6-pm: Children's class
6:15pm - 7:15pm: all levels

Thursdays
6:15pm - 7:15pm: all levels
7:30- 8:30pm: weapons/ body arts

Fridays
12:30pm - 1:30pm all levels
5pm - 6pm Children's class
(no evening adult class)

Saturdays
Feb. 6 & 13 schedule TBA
Feb 20 & 27, 10:30- 11:30am:
Class for all levels focused on the Birankai weapons requirements for 5th and 4th kyu levels.

Highlights and schedule notes:

All classes listed are adult classes open to all regular adult members (except the specified children's classes on Wed/Fri).

All levels means beginners, mid-ranks and senior members are all encouraged to attend!  Instructors gear the classes to the people who show up to train. Exercises are scaled so that all can participate safely. All levels of experience practice together.

New mid-day class offered on Mondays and Fridays at 12:30pm. Van Amburgh Sensei will teach the Monday slot. Fleshler Sensei will teach the Friday slot. If there is sufficient interest, Wednesdays at 12:30 could be added. If you have interest in a daytime class but at a different time slot, please contact us. At the end of February we will decide whether to continue the 12:30 classes.


Tuesdays through February, Van Amburgh Sensei will open the dojo ~ 5:45pm for individual meetings with members. Open mat time will be available for all 5:45- 6:15pm. Schedule a Tuesday date in February to meet with Van Amburgh sensei and discuss your training goals for the new year!

Advanced class is held monthly on the first Tuesday. For February that means on Tue. Feb 2, the 6:15pm class is open to 2nd kyu and above. Beginners through 3rd kyu are encouraged to observe class. Observation training is valuable!


Theme of the month: 
5th kyu technique guidelines!
Body arts classes all month will focus on the skills to pass a 5th kyu test and also the deeper level of study available through practicing these foundational techniques of the art. Hearty practice for all levels will be served up all month! 

Saturdays Feb. 20 and 27 we will focus in on the weapons forms outlined in the Birankai 5th and 4th kyu guidelines.


Iaido/ bokken class Tuesdays 7:30pm: Iaido members practice on Tuesday night instead of Wednesday night starting Feb. 3. This class will bring together Iaidoists and aikidoists interested in sword handling. Bokken may be used. 

Sunday practice!
A new monthly Sunday practice will be held 9am - noon starting February 28.

Stay connected!
Subscribe to Dojo News and check Upcoming Dates regularly for late-breaking news, class cancellations and new learning opportunities. Check the seminar page for upcoming seminars in the Northwest Region.

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.