As I noted in a previous posting, Anila Kalonia took an excellent belt exam on May 2nd.  I invite you to take a few minutes and enjoy the photos taken by Jason Tsuyemura. 

Posted by Skys Sensei.

A belated congratulations to Anila Kalonia on her recent advancement to her first adult rank, rokyu.  Anila tested on May 2nd and did a really great job!

Once again, we have a lot of young ones excited about showing off their skills.  The test momentum really got going... we have ten children and three teens eligible for testing.  

I have scheduled two upcoming Test Events:

The first one will be held on Saturday, 5/16_ 9 - 10:30 am.  Six of our children will be testing.

The second one will be held on Tuesday, 5/19.  Four children will be testing in an extended children's class held form 5 - 6:30 pm.  Our teens will be testing during our adult training_ 7 - 8:30 pm.

Visitors are invited to observe these belt exams.  These kids are really quite amazing!

Posted by Skys Sensei. 

On April 22nd we started a new program for children ages 5 - 6.  This class meets on Wednesdays from 4 - 4:40 pm. Many times over the past 16 + years I have dismissed any suggestion of starting such a program.  We have an extremely successful children's program and I truly look forward to our kids 'storming' the dojo five days a week.  However, I've had difficulty imagining younger kids, tots, being able to embrace the physical skills as well as the jouney of self-discovery that this art offers.  To put it simply, I was wrong. 

Yesterday was our third class and these little ones entered the dojo with a sense of respect and an eagerness to learn.  Three 'senior' children have volunteered to assist me with our 'aiki-tots'.  Mark, Alex and Josephine are not just modeling physical skills.  The kindness and patience that they are showing their new aiki brothers and sisters is touching my heart, and our little sponges are soaking it up!  Each class has grown in sweetness!

If you would like more information on this program, please give me a call.

Posted by Skys Sensei.

I've had a lot of stuff getting in the way of reviewing our recent seminar with Tres Hofmeister Sensei.  The review is coming, so please check back.  In the mean time, Jason just sent me this silly photo and I just couldn't resist posting it.  The young one being choked by me is Jason's son, Kyle!  As an aside, we do take our training very seriously and we like to have fun too!

Posted by Skys Sensei.