Aikido, the modern martial art!

I apologize for my lack of postings_ I’ve been suffering from an advanced case of writer’s cramp. 

I’ve been sitting on some pretty awesome news for a while.  Here it is!  At summer camp I met with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan requesting that our own Martin Christensen Sensei be considered for promotion to yondan (4^th degree black belt).  I filled him in on Martin Sensei’s aikido history, his four plus decades of commitment to the art and his twelve years of dedication to our dojo.  At the end of our chat he agreed to the advancement.

A few times over the years Martin Sensei had commented that he would probably end his days on this planet as a sandan (third degree black belt).  When I surprised him with the good news, he was left a bit speechless which is pretty uncharacteristic of his basic nature.  As a dojo community, we are so thankful to Ikeda Shihan for honoring Christensen Sensei with this well deserved promotion.

Now, that’s pretty great news, huh?  Ready for some more?!  Check this out.  When I returned home from teaching my fifth annual seminar at South Austin Aikido I was ‘happy as a lark’ and ‘tired as a dog’.  My four days there had flown by with enthusiastic training and equally enthusiastic socializing.  I left for Texas with the intention of posting daily web pages commenting on the events of each day.  Well, I only managed to make one posting… I was simply having too much fun to break out the ole laptop.  Oops, I need to get back on track.  On my return to Fremont I found a letter waiting for me from ASU headquarters.  I suspected that it something to due with Martin Sensei’s promotion paper work_ which it did, at least the first couple of paragraphs.  As I read on, to my surprise Patty Saotome wrote that Saotome Shihan had promoted me to yondan (4th dan).  I was alone at the time, and I guess you could say that I was left a bit speechless as Martin Sensei had been_ but as the shock passed, I let out a loud hoot and a holler and then got on my phone to share the good news with a couple of close friends.

Our dojo community continues to grow, often with unexpected Blessings.  On behalf of our dojo members, teachers and students, I wish to send out a heart-felt thank you to Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan for these promotions as well as for their leadership, vision and hard work that benefits the aikido community as a whole. 

Posted by Skys Sensei.  

Hi ya'all!  This is my first morning waking up in Austin.  My flight out yesterday was as easy as could be... not a single glitch.  Todd Kammerer was waiting for me in baggage claim and in short order we were off to meet up with his family and Jay Linholm Sensei for lunch.  There's an old song that goes,  "we are family" and when I am here visiting these words move through my mind like a mantra.  Nearly the entire Kammerer clan was present including Brenda's daughter, Gaby, who's all of three months old.  Ok, I need to be careful here_ I only have a short time and I am already getting carried away.  After lunch we headed to the Kammerer's home where I took a much needed shower and a short nap... and we were off to the dojo.

South Austin Aikido feels like home to me.  This is the sixth year that these wonderful people have invited me to teach a weekend seminar.  The love with which this community embraces me touches my heart so deeply that I am often on the edge of tears.  Last night's two hour class flew by... lots of high spirits and sweat.  Afterwards we had a group meal at "Rudys_ Texas' Worst BBQ" and we ate and laughed heartily.

This year I'm staying with Jay Sensei and his wife Gail.  I am so comfortable here that it was nearly noon when I awoke.  We did stay up chatting till fairly late.  These guys are wonderfully gracious.  As I was getting ready for bed last night Jay was playing the piano and I thought I was in heaven... 

OK... I need to get in gear...  We're off to meet up with the Kammerers for a little snack before training.  If time permits, I will write again soon.   

Posted by Skys Sensei. 

Okamoto Seigo Soshi, the head of the Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai , returns to our dojo for a seminar on August 11 & 12, 2007.  This seminar is being hosted by Shawn Douglass and his students of the Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai_ California Shibu .  We feel very honored to support the visit of this remarkable and highly respected instructor.  This will be Okamoto Soshi's fourth seminar at Aikido of Fremont. 

To accommodate this special event, all of our regularly scheduled classes on Saturday, August 11, are canceled.  Our Friday evening class on August 10 will meet as usual. 

Posted by Skys Sensei.