T.K. Chiba, 1940-2015

Posted on Biran Online June 5, 2015

On behalf of Birankai International, with deep sorrow, Birankai North America announces the death today, June 5th, 2015, of our founder and teacher T. K. Chiba Shihan.

Martial artists here and around the world salute his life as they mourn his passing. During more than 50 years of training and teaching, Sensei inspired, forged and changed the lives of generations of students.

United in gratitude for the great gift he gave us, we offer our condolences to his family.

Published on Biran Online: http://birankai.org/blog/?p=920

Birankai patches

Birankai patches

The new Birankai embroidered patch is available for sale. Proceeds from patch sales will go to the Birankai General Fund which supports various programs including scholarships, the website and the video library. 

The Birankai patch can be worn on the right sleeve of your gi.  It  can also be sewn onto weapons bags and gi bags. 

Tips on applying your patch:

Correct position is essential! The image should be oriented with the small circle in the “10 o’clock” position.

When applying to your gi sleeve, apply to the right sleeve, a bit below your shoulder but well above the elbow. Put on your gi jacket and have a friend pin the patch to your gi in the correct position. Remove the jacket and iron-on or sew on. We recommend sewing on, however you may wish to do both for strongest adhesion.

Iron-on instructions:

Pre-heat iron for 5 minutes on high setting. Do not use steam.

Iron area of the garment where the emblem will be placed for 25 seconds.

Place emblem in desired location.

Place light weight press cloth over the emblem. Using a back and forth motion, press firmly with iron for 25 seconds. DO NOT apply hot iron directly to the emblem embroidery.

Turn the garment inside out. Using a back and forth motion, iron the back side of the emblem  for 45-60 seconds while pressing firmly.

Turn the garment right side out. Place press cloth over the emblem. Iron edges of the emblem to ensure they are properly sealed. DO NOT apply hot iron directly to the emblem embroidery.

Allow to cool thoroughly.

First Course in Aikido starts Tuesday May 5th

Ready to dig in to your First Course?

Tasty and nourishing to the body mind and spirit!

Aikido First Course is a beginners' series designed to orient you to the fundamentals of the art. Learn the basics of practice: situational awareness, whole body movement, rolling and falling without injury. Within just a few weeks you'll feel more centered and connected in yourself.

First Course begins Tuesday May 5, 2015. 

Registration includes a uniform and classes two days per week. Fee $90

First Course participants are eligible to take any and all of the following Aikido classes in the month of May:

Tuesdays 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Center Yourself

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

Saturdays 10:00 am - 10:30 am, Learning Through Discovery

Saturdays 10:30 am - 11:30 am, Fundamentals

First Course participants will also be invited to participate in special events at the dojo in May e.g. The Lines of Engagement and Rolling class.

Contact us: dojo@multnomahaikikai.com

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239

This Saturday April 25 at 10am: Aikido Appetizer!

Our Spring Open House event is this Saturday April 25, 10am-11:30am

Aikido Appetizer
Try a taste of Aikido practice for FREE!

The Appetizer is an experiential introduction to the art and practice of Aikido. Step onto the mat and participate in fun, engaging partner exercises that awaken a sensory experience and ignite a spark. No prior experience expected.

Wear something comfortable you can move in. Be prepared to practice barefoot. Before stepping onto the mat we’ll ask you to clean your feet and remove any jewelry.

Free of charge! 

Sign-in and waiver form required upon arrival. Shoot us a quick email to let us know you plan to attend!

Aikido Multnomah Aikikai 6415 SW Macadam Ave, Portland OR 97239

Saturday events in the dojo April 2015

April 4, 11 and 18, Saturdays, 10am-10:30am: Learning through Discovery
April 11, noon- 1pm: The Lines of Engagement 
April 25, 10-11:30am: Aikido Appetizer, FREE Introduction to the Art of Aikido

  ~
 April 4, 11 and 18, Saturdays, 10am-10:30am: Learning through Discovery (for members)

The 10-10:30am time slot will shift to an open format to foster learning through discovery. The theme and focus will be 5th kyu techniques.

 The open mat format provides the opportunity for students to get together and work through the 5th kyu techniques, discovering what they know and where there are gaps in knowledge. The process of retrieving and remembering techniques can bring to light what movements have been learned clearly and where understanding is still murky.

By engaging with this process, specific questions will bubble up organically. What do you do when you don't know what to do? What resources are within you to figure out a conundrum? 

When you discover an answer through your own process of movement inquiry and your partner's feedback,  learning is absorbed at a deeper level.

 When questions are not successfully resolved,  the follow up class can address student's needs directly. Suzane Van Amburgh Sensei will be in the dojo during the 30 minute practice period and will teach the regular fundamentals class starting at 10:30am.

April 11, noon- 1pm: The Lines of Engagement (open to the public)

explore the lines of engagement:

• Investigate the moment when you encounter your partner.
• Sense your center.
• Experiment with where and when you make initial contact.
• Discover how you change the angle of encounter.
• Sense your balance.
• Follow the trajectory of your partner’s motion.
• Notice when you naturally take a step to restore balance.

No experience required. You do not have to fall down if you don’t want to. This class is taught by Suzane Van Amburgh, GCFP and shidoin aikido instructor Free to Multnomah Aikikai Members (Regular and Community members).  Open to the public for drop in fee of $10.

 April 25, 10-11:30am: Aikido Appetizer, FREE Introduction to the Art of Aikido
(Open to the public)

Get a taste of what it is like to practice aikido! 
All are welcome to participate for free. We invite the community to this special open house event. Learn more...

Miyamoto Sensei seminar in Vancouver BC - video clip

Miyamoto Sensei taught an Aikido seminar in Vancouver BC Canada March 6-8, 2015.
Several Northwest aikidoka traveled to participate in the seminar. This video below shows  Sensei demonstrating katatedori ai hanmi iriminage chudan.*

This was the opening class on Sunday of the seminar. The first uke is Neilu Naini Sensei of Clallam Aikikai. The second uke is Suzane Van Amburgh Sensei of Multnomah Aikikai.

Post by Birankai Summer Camp.

Miyamoto Sensei is the guest instructor for our Birankai North America Aikido Summer Camp July 16-21 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma WA. Registration is now open.
Learn all about the camp at http://camp.birankai.org/


*If you have trouble seeing the video embed you can link to the post on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=344155532440766&theaterc

Multnomah Aikikai patches are in. Wear your dojo patch!

Our Multnomah Aikikai dojo emblem is now available as embroidered patch.

These patches can be worn on the left sleeve of your gi (uniform). When you a buy a new gi we'll include the patch for you to apply.

Show your appreciation of your dojo and the art you practice!  Wear the patch on all your gis. The patch also looks swank on weapons bags and duffel bags! Additional patches available at $5 each.

Story of the design:
This logo for the dojo was designed by Daniel Chapman, a long time dojo member. He incorporated the image of the heron and the maple tree. The blue heron has been the central element of the dojo's logo since the beginning. We are located along the Willamette River on Portland's west side. The blue heron is frequently sited along the river, especially in Willamette Park, just across the street from our dojo. The heron reminds us of the special characteristics of the area  where we practice.  The dojo is connected to nature, the land, river and wildlife around us. The maple leaf is a reminder of Chiba Sensei, the founder of Birankai International. Our style of aikido is steeped in his legacy.

Iron on, sew on or do both for strongest adhesion.

Iron-on instructions:
Pre-heat iron for 5 minutes on high setting. Do not use steam.
Iron area of the garment where the emblem will be placed for 25 seconds.
Place emblem in desired location.
Place light weight press cloth over the emblem. Using a back and forth motion, press firmly with iron for 25 seconds. DO NOT apply hot iron directly to the emblem embroidery. 
Turn the garment inside out. Using a back and forth motion, iron the back side of the emblem  for 45-60 seconds while pressing firmly.
Turn the garment right side out. Place press cloth over the emblem. Iron edges of the emblem to ensure they are properly sealed. DO NOT apply hot iron directly to the emblem embroidery.
Allow to cool thoroughly.