Archive for the ‘relationships’ Category

Looking back at 2010 (inc News for the New Year)

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
Sensei Santa

Sensei Santa rallies the 37 juniors who turned up for the party..

We’ve seen a number of changes at the Shudokan this year folks. I thought in this last fortnight it might be a good idea to take a look back at them.

All the way back in March we had the ‘Soke Stratton Memorial Seminar’ which attracted local media attention (read the article here) and some very high ranking British instructors. Nearly 40 people turned up to honour the memory of the late Soke Eddie Stratton, my first teacher and founder of the Yoshinkan in the UK. This year the event will be held at another Shudokan dojo to be confirmed shortly.

Also in March we raised around £400 for sport relief during the ‘Trainathon’ in green lanes. This year will see something bigger and better, with a demonstration and possibly even a world record attempt..

Parent days come around twice a year to celebrate mother’s day and father’s day. We make a point that mums, dads, and/or guardians of any description are welcome to both of these events so as not to exclude anybody. This year will be no different and I expect full attendance by the parents… They are actually great fun and you get a unique insight into the junior classes.

Bokken runs and outdoor training comes around in the summer. It is often very tough but always rewarding. Especially afterwards with the nice refreshing drink in your hand. We also managed to get to the beach for some games and general socialising. I tend to plan these close to the time as they are weather dependant but I would like loads more people this year as well as parents and kids coming along..

The ‘Challenge Week’ attracted press and several victi.. brave souls. This year we will hold two such training weeks that will test (and reward) all who attempt them. facebook

Summer School 2010 was incredible. Ayman (finally) tested to Shodan, and the myself and the other Devonian instructors got a nice healthy kicking from the likes of Shihan Ken Robson, Shihan Thambu and Sensei Robert Mustard. (Aiki) Life just doesn’t get any better than that short of re-animating Shioda Kancho, O’Sensei, and possibly Yoda for a seminar. This years SS’11 looks set to be the best yet with a new venue (a full time dojo) and the same line up.

This winter we have really gone for it with the development of our latest self defence seminars, arrest techniques and special weapons workshops. We had a visit from Shihan Ken Robson (7th Dan) which attracted 35 Aikidoka and fun was had by all (mostly watching me get a beating.. :P ). In 2011 we hope to have Shihan Robson back in the late summer for another event that will be bigger and better than 2010.

Well done to Will who tested to Shodan during Shihan Robsons visit. The Journal did an extensive piece on his journey. Read it here.

Sarah Cullerne Sensei left us (again) in 2010. Sarah has been a dedicated student and instructor here for around 21 years and a mentor and friend to me for almost 20 (that will make her feel old.. :P ) and she is/will be missed.

………………………

In 2011 I want the Shudokan Dojo in Barnstaple to become a real resource for the area. I will be reaching out to young people through co-operative initiatives with other organisations and our own scholarship programs.

In January there are 3 main events laid on completely free of charge for the public.

Self Defence Class – Thursday 20th Jan @7pm – facebook

Open Week – 24th until the 29th Jan – facebook

Fitness Week – 10th until the 15th Jan – facebook

All 3 can be signed up for on our website’s news page.

Remember we are always trying to become as interactive as possible through

facebook
twitter
youtube
foursquare
our website

so please add us on whatever social network you use and interact today!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all members of the Shudokan and readers of our BLOG.

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Just give! Includes News Update

Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Junior Class

'Mat Chats' in progress

Whatever creed, colour, gender, or orientation you are I think that now is as good a time as any to think about giving. In the UK it is traditionally Christmas time because of a combination of our Christian history and before that the Pagans winter festival. These days people have become cynical about the time of year. Some Christians emphatically practice a ‘traditional’ Christmas, while others suspect that the whole tradition is too connected with its predecessor the winter festival.

Ironically secular society seems to be held at ransom about the whole thing. Atheists and non affiliated people seem just as trapped by the contradictions of celebrating something they’re not sure is legit and if it is legit do they want to associate with it.

Understandably there are areas of society with no idea what the fuss is about. Other faiths have their own periods of celebration however.

Basically what I’d like to say is; “What’s all the fuss about again?”

While I agree that offence is subjective, I cannot see a reason why any group should be offended by the word ‘Christmas’. The rich nature of our population is maintained by tolerance and understanding from all sides. ‘Christmas’ is a long standing tradition for UK people and whether it has it’s roots in religion or not, does not need a name change to avoid being offensive to people.

So just to re-iterate, what is all the fuss about? Just give, or don’t as per your custom and inclination. Christmas is coming..

December @ the Shudokan

New Year’s Resolutions

There are three major events happening in January as part of our ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ scheme!#

Grading

Those adult eligible to grade, the grading will be held on Saturday 18th December.

Holiday Hajime

Tuesday 27th December at 6pm

Well done to Will Watts for passing his first degree black belt test. Check out the newspaper article

Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on facebook

Osu

Sensei Med

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Trust (inc sept notices)

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Trust is a cornerstone of our school. It starts with the Little Dragons, you trust us with their safety and in some part their education. They have to continually demonstrate that we can trust them in order to be taught Aikido techniques at that age. So trust is linked to integrity and discipline.

The Juniors similarly have to maintain this trust. It is important that we as a school cultivate a strong feeling of trust in them so they are not afraid to use what they learn. By ‘use’ I mean the correct behaviour and infectious positive attitude. I also think its very important that while Aikido techniques in self defence should be an absolutely last resort, that our juniors know we trust them to make that decision and judgement call.

I’m really pleased that some students show enough trust in me/us that they come to us with disclosures of bullying sometimes. Â Apart from the fact that they are being bullied (which obviously doesn’t please me) it shows they trust us. It’s always made clear that we have to inform the parents, but sometimes they still prefer that option. We need to be strong advocates for our juniors, and in this situation we MUST empower them. Someone has taken away their confidence and we have to help them find it again.

The other side to this coin is the trust parents show once more, coming to us when their child has disclosed similarly to them.

Adults to must show trust. At times this takes great courage. When it challenges you to do so think of the trust that parents show. Personally I think placing your children in the care and tutelage of someone is a far bigger display than allowing a teacher to demonstrate on you, or believing in yourself as much as they might.

Training is much like life. Without trust, functioning normally becomes very difficult. Achieving what you want be it a throw or a job, a degree, a flip fall, a backdrop or a marathon is nigh on impossible without trusting those around you, allowing them to support you and help you.

Septembers Week 1 Notices:

Open Week!!: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149439415073027&index=1

Junior summer camp: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140780955956577&index=1

Specialist Sword Course: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=150792724931525&index=1

Robert Mustard Sensei in Kent Oct: http://www.meikyokai.com/upcoming%20events.html

Sensei Ken Robson in Uxbridge Oct: http://bab.org.uk/NationalCourse/National_Course_2010.asp

Shudokan in the North Devon Journal: http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/sport/Notes-Barnstaple-s-intensive-aikido-boot-camp/article-2567196-detail/article.html

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Lines of Communication

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Like many idioms this phrase is used in many different contexts. I would like to talk about the importance of all of them and perhaps a few more.

To the military, having a working communications network is imperative. Thusly demonstrated by risking lives to maintain it. In the old wild west the postal service is famous for it’s “must get through” motto.  Both these examples are very literal in their meaning. Rather they pertain to the more obvious understanding of the phrase.

The value of communication to the military is of course a matter of safety, a matter of resolve and ultimately a matter of victory!

In Aikido training we communicate constantly through the point of contact with your partners body. If you are savvy then you can apply all of these extended metaphors to your training.

OK! Now remove yourself from the battlefield, and enter somewhere not entirely un-feared but generally speaking less hostile. The kitchen! Or the front room of your house, or your bedroom, or where-ever it is that you choose to be.

Communication with the people we care for is paramount for a relationship to function. As a unit you are after essentially the same thing. Safety, unity and victory.

Communication with your partner during a technique is essential for that relationship to function also. As a unit you want safety, unity and victory.

How then do we avoid breaking these lines, and when we fail to, how do we repair them?

Avoid shouting

If the mail service is overloaded the letters won’t be received until days after they were meant to, leading to confusion. In the field if the gain is to high on a radio it could have a fatal consequence.

If you steam in to fast without considering your partners ability or you throw awkwardly or with strength, then there is no harmony in your technique. Essentially listen to the needs of your partner as sh(i)te or uke and act accordingly.

Avoid avoidance

If no letters are posted, the whole network would fail and shut down. Sometimes it takes courage to speak. Because a) you don’t think the other person will receive the words well or b) It’s simply difficult for you to say.

Obviously you should only share personal things with someone you trust. But it’s important that there is someone you trust..

Trust your partner during training. Give them an honest attack and don’t tense up, then you will move together and learn about timing, distance and balance.

Actively seek to repair

If you have failed it is like everything in life. Don’t look at what they said look to yourself. Your mannerisms, your speech and tone. Train yourself to communicate better.

If you have trained with someone before and it didn’t go well, then offer to train again and be mindful of what you do and how you respond.

Just somewhere my head was at.. hope its useful

Junior summerschool coming up check the website/facebook

Aikiken course 18th Sep, check site/facebook

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