Newsletter Title
Feb 2008
Volume 1,合 Issue 3 London Aikido Club News LAC Koshukai 2007
気
道
In November this year the London good chance for many who had trained Aikido Club held a two-day Koshukai led together on the mat to meet without by Paolo Corallini and Ulf Evenas. throwing each other on the floor, and to INSIDE : Months in the planning, the weekend spring a surprise birthday cake on Ulf. began for many at 7am on a crisp And despite the obligatory refreshment Koshukai 2007 autumnal morning. Mats were hauled we were eager for more on Sunday. photo scrapbook into place in a sports hall in Walthamstow, and large numbers Before, during and after the weekend armed with cups of tea mucked in to set dozens of people helped carry out New Year Seminar up. numerous, and often unseen jobs, which ensured the whole weekend was Aikido and Zen People from as far away as France and a great success for all involved. Cambridge joined the regulars of the London Aikido Club and it was amazing Jo Wheeler Following the ‘Do’ to see such a long line of aikidoka all
bowing to the kamiza. Full photos of the Koshukai can be
How I started found on the website. On the following Paolo and Ulf demonstrated a wide and training in Aikido pages are some scrapbook collections of interesting range of aiki-ken, aiki-jo and photos, some not found on the website. tai-jutsu techniques throughout the For all those we missed out – sorry, you Weapons Training weekend. For new aikidoka a Koshukai are not forgotten, you just weren’t there can be daunting as we move from one at the right moment. There were many technique to another. I remember not Kids Corner behind the scenes helpers which don’t having ever held a jo before my first grace these pages, in particular those koshukai. But the experience of training who helped with transport, planning, with a range of people from different organising the videoing etc. Thank you clubs and countries is a valuable one to everyone for a fantastic effort, for whatever the level of experience. supporting the event and making it run
so smoothly. The buffet on Saturday night was a
London Aikido Club News February 2008
The Senseis
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
Setting Up
Jo on the reception desk
Joe and Matthew working out the layout for the mats
John also on Left & reception
below:Variations on mat cleaning technique
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
The Aikido
Yudansha during weapons class
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
“Was it something I said?”
Time for a rest
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
The Party
Party photos by Svetoslav Kostadinov
Message from Andy… wonderful Aikido left to us by the late Morihei Saito Shihan, in its This event was a great success, turn a very special continuation bringing together a broad range of the Founder’s Aikido. Present of Aikidoka for a very good suite at the seminar was Sensei John of practices which were at once Cornish, who actually trained serious and focused, but good with the founder, Morihei humoured, co-operative and Uyeshiba, O’Sensei, in Japan. generous (as Aikido events ought to be). The number of people who I was happy, Senseis Paolo and contributed to making every- Ulf were happy, and the thing run as smoothly as it participants all seem to have undoubtedly did is quite large, had a good time. These events and we owe them all a huge really are vitally important to vote of thanks: domo arogato maintain the standard of the kosai mashita.
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
2008 New Years Seminar
What better way to bring the new year in than to spend the day training..This hardy group braved the day and spent an invigorating
four hours training – much better than nursing a hangover. And a NEXT DOJO really nice social event. SEMINAR DATES Congratulations…. Easter Bank Holiday Monday Congratulations to Tony Wilkinson whose book 'The Lost 24th March Art of Being Happy' at one point reached number 66 in the Amazon.co.uk best sellers list, and which is now also Summer Bank stocked by Waterstones. Holiday – 3 days Saturday 23rd August, Sunday 24th August & JANUARY GRADING RESULTS Monday 25th August Congratulations to the following who successfully graded on Saturday 26th January 2008:
6th Kyu: Alan Lambert 5th kyu: Macies Bojan 4th kyu: Batu Onver, Jo Wheeler, Keith Forward 1st kyu: Joe Sealy, Frank O'Sullivan
The next kyu grading will be on Saturday 26th April 2008.
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
Aikido and Zen by Peter Georgeson (reproduced with the kind permission of the Aikido Shudokan, Melbourne)
Simply choose your favourite aikido technique and gain deep Zen insight into your own personality
Shihonage Yonkyo You like suprises. Zen master say, “He who masters And folding. yonkyo, Origami is your passion. Especially Is one with the Universe. Human origami Everything is connected. In particular, Nage’s knuckle, uke’s wrist.” Ikkyo Gradings come and go But ikkyo never leaves you. Rokkyo Attachment leads to suffering, Seek out The Nikkyo. Like ikkyo too close to a wall. Your wrist, his elbow. Cracking in unison, a friendship blossoms. Nikkyo Possibly in hospital. The sadist arriveth. Hurt is your middle name. When you stand, ukes scatter to all corners of Shomen Uchi Iriminage the dojo, “Prepare to blend with the mat” Like cherry blossoms on the summer wind. Sensei once warned. You silently ponder: What is the sound of one Everything else about that day hand cracking? Is forgotten.
Sankyo Sokumen Iriminage Watch uke spin. A heavy hand upon your heart. Spin, uke, spin. The oak tree falls with a mighty snap. You are power mad. But remember, Similar to uke’s back. As the caterpillar becomes the butterfly, nage becomes uke
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
has greater significance than Following the’Do’ the skill itself (hmmm, ikkyo by Jenny Lawther springs to mind).
ost of us know that At the recent November the ‘do’ in aikido seminar those who were there Mrefers to ‘The Way’ – early to help set up would not the way to the nearest have seen Sensei Cornish bar but the esoteric ‘way’, the practising the art of kado, or way of spiritual enlighten- as it is more popularly known, ment. We’ve probably also ikebana (“bring life to had drummed into us flowers”), as he created the numerous times that the ‘aiki’ floral arrangement for the in aikido refers to harmony – kamiza. I wondered what it all thus, ‘the way of harmony’. meant…. Sensei Cornish We also hear a lot about practising the art of ikebana ‘budo’, the martial way – this Ikebana’s origins date back to is frequently referred to when sometime around the 6th whatever breach of etiquette century BC, to Buddhist ritual we have just committed is offerings. One of the original described sternly as “not most skilled priests in the art
budo”…. sorry sensei. lived by the side of a lake. The name ‘ikebana’ is When we think of traditional associated with the word
Japanese culture what springs ‘ikenobo’, which translates to mind, apart from budo, are from the Japanese as ‘priest’s
disciplines such as shodo (the residence by a pond’. way of calligraphy), chado The concept of (the way of tea), kado (the In the late 15th century many “Do”, way of flowers). The concept changes took place in Japan. fundamental to of “Do”, fundamental to the The Muromachi shogun who the Japanese Japanese culture, is different ruled Japan at that time loved culture, is to the Western search for simplicity. The rules of flower different to the arranging were simplified and Western search meaning. It is deeply con- for meaning. nected to the recognition of it was no longer then only the the innate harmony of the province of priests and laws which govern nature. By members of the nobility but adhering to basic forms and became available for ordinary techniques of a discipline one people. As in martial arts, cultivates the self. In other new ryu or schools began to words, the practise of the skill appear, each with its’ own
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interpretations, emphases the human spirit’. The and traditions. Today there spiritual idea is to return to are three main ryu – the formless void through Ikenobo (‘classic’), Ohara form. (developed by Unshin Ohara using shorter stemmed Initially arrangements were Western flowers) and very tall and broad, set in Sogetsu (founded in 1926 by Chinese bronze vases, and Sofu Teshigahara, described designed for high temple as a modern ikebana of ‘no spaces. Later the flowers limits’). Several million people were arranged to represent a in Japan practise the ‘art of mythical Buddhist mountain flowers’ and the Japanese named Mt Sumeru which was Ministry of Education has a symbol of the universe. The more than 2,000 different late 16th century was a very schools registered. flamboyant era. Around this time the tea ceremony, which True proficiency in ikebana is had appeared a little earlier, only achieved after at least was refined. It emphasised 4/5 years and mastery takes the plain, simple things of life many years. It is regarded as and with it a simpler floral being a very creative process style called ‘chabana’ or “tea despite the many rules, flowers” emerged. allowing an expression of mood and personality, and it Since then there have been is also considered to be variations on the more relaxing. formal, classical styles and also the simpler ones. Modern The Zen influence on this art arrangements can often was introduced in the 16th incorporate items like dolls or century. There is emphasis on seasonal fruit and vegetables the expression of harmony or even artificial materials (as in aikido) and the beauty such as plastic, metal and of life. Everything has sig- glass. Each school favours nificance and, unlike Western particular ways of pruning, floral art, there is an emph- cutting and caring for the asis on lines rather than flowers. colour. The art of the arrangement is ‘to express Some of the main principles the form, beauty and life that are: flowers have in nature, and B Asymmetry or odd numbers are favoured. This not only
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
represents nature (and thus is to honour and remember creativity) but also incorporates the connection between the Buddhist concept of “becoming”, ie travelling on the nature and the purpose of our spiritual path rather than training. Whether it is a achieving perfection (which is formal arrangement or a few associated with even numbers). Symmetry can also be viewed as fresh flowers placed with care stagnation. and attention, the “way of B Always three dimensional – flowers’ reminds us that our can be viewed from all sides. practice brings us closer to a B Flowers convey meaning eg. connection with the natural past, present and future laws and thus to greater represented by full, half blown and bud respectively. harmony within ourselves. Thus we should never B The choice of container is an important part of the design. eg. commence our practice in the shape of vase. Also it can dojo with the vase being change according to the season empty or, worse still, being eg. baskets in summer and autumn, earthen in spring and filled with old and withered metal in winter. flowers. Finally, for those of B Accent or focal point, overall us who didn’t think they shape and balance. would ever read an article on B Use of space. In aikido we flower arranging, congratu- often hear about ‘ma-ai’ which lations if you got this far – refers to the correct distance or space between uke and nage. real men may not eat quiche Mitsugi Saotome Sensei points but they do arrange flowers. out the true mastery of an artist is ‘not expressed in the space filled’ but in the negative space. In floral art this is the proper and balanced use of positive and negative space, just as in Aikido if the ma-ai is incorrect the use of technique will be flawed.
Budo masters frequently use the natural world as a metaphor for the spiritual. O’Sensei always referred back to nature and its innate harmony in developing and teaching aikido – space, yin and yang, heaven and earth – are a few examples. Students The finished product on the ask why we place fresh kamiza– the selection of flowers flowers on the dojo kamiza. It representing autumn
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However, one of my two cousins who independently, How I Startedand only Aikido one in Iwama style, practiced Aikido, pointed out A series of contributionsthat martial art from was just as aikidoka of all ranks.much anThis art asissue… any other of the Arts. Somehow my However, one of my two cousins who independently, Involvement and only one in Iwama style, practiced Aikido, pointed out With Aikido: that a martial art was just as much an art as any other of how it all began the Arts. Somehow my 合 negative attitude wavered as for one Aikidoka I looked at Aikido in such a For this aikidoka, Iwama style light and later learnt that this takemusu Aikido, within our style of Aikido was non- Club, was the first and only competitive and did not 気experience of practice of any depend on physical strength martial art. I first joined the or aggression, and realised Club and commenced training that those regularly practicing twenty-one years ago, when martial or fighting arts as we were located at the first of 道two adjoining addresses in Bath Street, EC1, around mid- February 1987.
Aikido brings changes to all who regularly practice it, but for me it also required a journey to bring me to the point where I could contemplate taking up the art in the first place. Martial or fighting arts had for me, insofar as I thought about or considered them at all, negative connotations of aggression violence, injury, conflict, delinquency and Keith hooliganism, even death.
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members of clubs were less, not sinister because no not more, likely to engage in family, neighbours, work aggressive, violent, delin- colleagues or anyone else quent behaviour than the outside our club need know general population. about it, and there is no-one around at home to need to Living by myself in self- explain to regarding one’s contained accommodation for absences caused by doing it. the first time, and in a new Indeed, I have thus far been area, the safety of which I a closet aikidoka. wasn't sure, made me more aware of self defence as an Somehow I got intelligence issue needing addressing. that the Club trained at the East-West Centre in Old Other beneficial possibilities, Street EC1 and wrote to the extra fitness through the club at that address, receiving exercise involved, philo- in return a leaflet about the Aikido brings sophical/spiritual enhance- Club, with a note explaining changes to all ments and the prospects that the club now trained who regularly offered for social life – nearby at Bath Street. I practice it, but something my cousin seemed presented myself there on a for me it also to have obtained from Aikido, Saturday afternoon, which required a were also welcome attrac- seemed a likely time for journey to tions. But I was still wary of training to take place. The bring me to the entering into what was, at the club at that hour in 1987 was point where I end of the day, a Martial Art, represented by a man could fearing injuries from the vacuum cleaning the mat contemplate gymnastically-orientated phy- area, the training having taking up the sical movements and confron- finished; but I found about art in the first tations that were apparently and started attending classes place called for in Aikido. in the morning from 8 till 9 Perhaps fellow aikidokas will am. Once I started, I treated agree that living alone in a it as a routine activity to be large town lends itself to done, like going to work. trying out new things that others may think strange if Keith Meredith
If you are interested in sharing your experience of starting aikido please send your contribution in to the newsletter – email or give to Janice Hemmings. Long or short, all contributions are welcome and we are just as keen to read about the experience of newcomers as the old hands.
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
WEAPONS TRAINING
All Aikido students should practice with weapons. The upswing of the ken is the basic movement of kokyu ho, the downswing with engaged hips is the power stroke of almost every technique. Striking the rubber tire creates Each of our 2 practices great hip stability, and begin with suburi and tire the shime develops grip striking, and then strength to an extra- proceed into paired jo ordinary degree. The jo is (Tuesday) and ken essential to understand (Sunday). The jo is more hanmi and hito e mi. diverse and perhaps more interesting, the ken is more fundamental. The Sunday morning practice should really be the most well attended practice of the week. It is hard graft in the most basic Aikido principles.
Since we moved down- Students at Sunday stairs, there has been no morning weapons class. Above Jodie, weapons practice at Right Christine and Windus Rd. In reality, Above Right Jochen with care, it is perfectly possible to do quite a bit.
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
Next Course Dates Jo Tuesday March 18 Paired Ken Ken Sunday April 3 practice – Batu and Aziz in foreground
The jo hasso gaeshi series cannot be done,
and taller students will always have a problem, Either course may be but by being careful started at any point – no where you stand training need to wait for the is perfectly possible. This beginning. The practice is All aikido should make weapons ongoing. students prerequisites obtainable should without joining a Rush- Please get involved if you practise more course. A great deal are not already. It will with can also be done by just really sharpen your doing the hand action as weapons taijutsu. if holding a weapon. So, Andy instructors, please do
what you can, and, to And if that’s not enough quote my first driving explanation and you are, like instructor, “ Just don’t hit me, periodically wondering nothing”. why you need weapons so
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
much and is it worth getting • When you have a weapon up early on a Sunday in your hand it is as if each morning, here are some subtle hand movement is further points extracted from magnified so you can see Aikido and the Harmony of much more clearly how a small hand movement can Nature by Mitsugi Saotome, make a substantial change some of which explain the in a situation source of your weapons training aches and pains... • With a weapon a strike is faster and much more Sensei Saotome stresses that powerful, therefore greater when using the sword it concentration is needed to should be used as an achieve accuracy and also mistakes hurt more – a extension of your body and great reinforcer! spirit and when you are without it you should move as • You learn to assess the Alan though you are still holding it. energy or vibrations of the Learning the person before you move art of • When you grasp the accurately. wielding the weapon your arms bokken naturally come together and move from the centre.
• If your elbows are at the NEW BOOK incorrect angle to your Long term dojo student body you will find it easier Jochen Encke has to identify the loss of contributed a chapter to power. "Passionate Supervision" edited by Robin Shohet, a • If your shoulders are book for practitioners raised and tight then it is working in the helping easier to feel the tension in professions to realise the the shoulders and to importance of supervision correct it. as a space for reflection; compassionate inquiry; • Because of the greater and continuing distance from your partner professional development. you find that just extending your arms and
weapons is limited, you perceive the need to move your entire body.
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Thinking about starting?
These are the starting (or just started) course dates for the next beginners courses. You will train at the same time every week for ten weeks with and experienced instructor and with other people who are also just starting out.
Don't worry if the course has already started - just turn up. INSTRUCTOR There is a lot of repitition and personal tuition - you will catch PROFILE up. You will also be provided with a suit as part of the course. Matthew Huggins Monday 6-8pm 31 March 2008 Careful, Tuesday 7-9pm 8th April 2008 methodical introduction to Wednesday 6-9pm 9 April 2008 basic Aikido Thursday 8-10pm 28 February 2008 training and Friday 7-9pm 14 March 2008 special care Saturday 12-2pm 16 February 2008 taken with breakfalls. Very Saturday 3-5pm 16 February 2008 popular with Sunday 10-12am 30 March 2008 students in their Sunday 12.30-2.30pm 30 March 2008 first year of training. If you have done Aikido before, or feel that you don't need a
Fridays 4-6pm Beginners Course, then please consult the dojo website Drop-in class (www.thelondonaikidoclub.co.uk) for the full timetable. If you Saturdays 3-5pm would like to speak to someone then please leave your contact Course of ten details on 0208 806 3219. classes
Leaflet drop….
Many thanks to those who organised and all those who took part in the Stoke Newington leaflet drop in January. There has been a marked increase in local interest since then and increased attendance at Beginners Courses..
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London Aikido Club News February 2008
London Next Issue Aikido introducing... Club
Find us at: 60A Windus Rd Stoke Newington London N16 6UP
Phone: 0208 806 3219 For our younger members: Email: iwama@londonaikido club.co.uk Next issue we are looking forward to hearing
This Issue from you! Please send in by email to: Co-editors: Janice Hemmings [email protected] Jenny Lawther or pass to your instructor any drawings,
Contributions of all kinds articles, poems, photos, jokes you would like to are welcome – articles, short pieces (humorous see in the newsletter. They should be related to or other-wise), photos aikido. This corner is especially for you, so we etc. Please email all contributions or queries look forward to hearing from you. Please make to Janice Hemmings care of the above email sure that anything you send in has your name address. (first and last name) and your age. Nothing from this newsletter may be reproduced without the permission of the London Aikido Club
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