A
shaky start!
Well, it all began with a fairly impressive launch practice session
on a wednesday night last October. We had about 16 people on the mat
(a record to this day), practiced kihon dosa, performed the 108 aiki
meditation and witnessed demo's by the sensei present.
Over
the following weeks as a branch dojo to the Koshinkan we welcomed
some new and some unexpected students into the dojo.
Then it happened.....we were expelled, for administrative
reasons, from the Koshinkan and as a result lost our ties with the
Shinwakai and the BAB. As if it wasn’t stressful enough trying
to get a new club up and running and then we’re hit with this
bombshell!!
This was a true test of our aiki spirit. Undaunted,
we soldiered on. For a short while we were True “Ronin”
outcast by the system and living on the edge.
Now, fortunately we have regained our BAB
status and are under the banner of the Aikido
Research Federation who are very supportive of our situation. |
Yoshinkan
Way
Since our departure from the Koshinkan we have made a definite commitment
to the Yoshinkan style of aikido instead of the previous rather diluted
version. This gives us clear and precise basic forms – an essential
base from which to build good aikido. There is also an unmistakable
logic to the Yoshinkan system which is great for beginners.
Furthermore we have great support from some excellent sensei, notably
Jon Felix of the Goryukai and Malik from the Hombu dojo in Tokyo.
Sign of the Times
The rather sparse early months have fortunately left us with the advent
of our new sign. Viewed by potentially hundreds of passers by each
day, this is generating a steady flow of enquiries and numbers are
on the increase. This is good news as it means we can actually pay
the rent! Grading News
Back in June Greg was the first student to be graded at the Makotokan.
He performed very well and passed easily, Well done Greg.
Since then, we have had two more excellent red belt gradings - congratulations
Victor and Shakeel !!
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Forthcoming
Events

Seminar - September 9, 2006 - 30 years
of Aikido at Woking
30 Years practice celebration & memorial for Derek Philips at
Woking Leisure Centre, Kingfield Road, Old Woking, Surrey on 9th September
2006. See here for more details
Registration at 10:00, last session at 15:40 , £15.00 practice
fee
All profits will be donated to British Heart Foundation.Please bring
your weapons and lunch.
Seminar - October 21, 2006 - BAB National Course
The Venue is Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Ledrington Road,
Crystal Palace, London, SE19 2BB. We are honoured to have sensei's
Haydn Foster, Garry Masters, Bob Jones, Gwynne Jones and Barbara Moss.
The course starts at 0:30 and runs until 16:15, £16 in advance
(cheques and postal orders only) or £20 on the day. - See here
for more info.
No excuses to miss this one !! Only 30 minutes by train from Sutton
so we should ALL be there. |