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Past Seminars
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01/9/10 9:00-12:00am
- Zazen - Meditation
- 1000 Sword Cuts
- Aikido Training
- New Year's Aikido Testing
Join us for Lunch afterwards!
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When we first talked about inviting Hagihara Sensei to Water Oak Aikikai we did not know what to expect. Of course we were hoping to get a shihan-level seminar from
one of the senior Aikidoka in the United States. Man! Did we get more than we expected!
The weekend started with a "get to know you" brunch on Friday morning. When Brenda and I met Sensei, Yuka and Scott at Eddie's Restaraunt we got our first good suprise.
Sensei had brought 6 of his students with him, several of which are deshi. We had a very nice meal and then Sensei asked if he could see the dojo before class that evening.
So we loaded up the cars and drove over to the dojo. Sensei and the students loved the dojo. I think that if we had not been concenred with letting Sensei rest a little
we would have had a class right then!
That evening Sensei taught a wonderful class and everyone had a chance to meet the group that he had brought with him. Afterwards about 20 of us took Sensei out to dinner
at Buca de Peppos. Sitting around the table we quickly fell into a very comfortable mood where everyone felt as if they were among family. In fact, this turned out to be one
of the most amazing aspects of the weekend. The group from Long Island Aikikai fit in so well with those of us from Water Oak Aikikai, or we fit so well with them, that
it felt like two sister schools getting together for a regular training rather than meting for the first time. During dinner we got a great taste of Sensei sharp wit and an
appreciation for the wealth of knowledge he has to share. We ended up shutting down the restaraunt because no one wanted to leave.
On Saturday, Sensei taught a fabulous seminar that covered nage-waza, advanced ukemi, techniques applied to maintain possession of one's sword (bokkuto) and Hagihara Sensei's 21 count bokkuto
kata. Throughout the day he tied the training together with a common lesson on the dichotomy in Aikido: omote-ura, uke-nage, yin-yang, and killing sword-life giving sword. He also
spoke about the difference between "doing Aikido" and "doing self-defense with Aikido techniques". Personally, it is going to take me months to begin to digest everything that
Sensei shared with us. At the end of the seminar we presented Sensei with a tenugi (hand towel/head wrap) with Aikido written in kanji on it and a pair of Shisa (Lion Dogs).
By the end of the day everyone was physically wiped out but emotionally inspired. As you can imagine it took very little time to transition from the mat into barbecue mode.
The rest of the evening was spent in fellowship as everyone ate, drank and talked. Kudos to Charlene, Caitlyn and Jason for the chicken; it was fantastic!
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01/10/09 9:00-12:00am
- Zazen - Meditation
- 1000 Sword Cuts
- Aikido Training
- New Year's Aikido Testing
Join us for Lunch afterwards!
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The O-Shogatsu was fantastic. We had a beautiful morning for training and a full dojo. We started out with 1000 sword cuts.
I was very proud to see Logan (our youngest member at 6) and Mina (our newest member attending her 2nd class)
staying with the adults to the very end. Next, we practiced a fundamental Maki-Otoshi technique which we evolved into an advanced
Jo-nage technique. We then held our Winter Testing. With 13 candidates (8 adults and 5 children) the testing was long. Especially for the 2nd
Kyu candidates who had to take ukemi for the other tests. Click here to see the promotion list.
Afterwards we went to lunch together. Kudos to La Unica Restaurant for handling 22 hungry, thirsty and somewhat boisterous Aikidoka and family.
It was really nice to see all of the dojo members, their families who came to watch the testing and our fellow Aikidoka who were visiting from other dojos.
It was definitely a great way to celebrate last year and to welcome the coming year.
I wanted to say a special "Thank You" to the Water Oak Students for making this last year such a great experience. Without you the dojo would be
just a large, empty room. You all bring the warmth of your own personal energy and your desire to learn Aikido to fill the space making it a joy
to be in. I also wanted to thank you for your beautiful gift. When I opened it I knew instantly that I loved it, but when I read the inscription
I was at a loss for words. I was truly touched by it. I look forward to training with all of you in the coming years. Sincerely Bill McLuskie
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We had a wonderful visit from Waite Sensei. Over the course of the weekend sensei taught
katame-waza, nage-waza and suburi. Even for the old-timers on the mat there was something
new to be learned. I know I had to stop and think about what sensei was focusing on so that
I could bring it into my personal training. It was also great to hear from him about the
upcoming changes that we can expect with regard to testing within the USAF.
That said, I have a feeling that most everyone will remember the barbecue and bonfire on
Saturday evening as the best part <grin>
View the seminar pictures
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May 17, 2008
Wow! Its hard to believe that Water Oak Aikikai has been open for 5 years. We had an opportunity to
get together and celebrate the event and look forward to continueing success.
View the seminar pictures
January 5, 2008
A fantastic turnout to celebrate the new year. Everyone enjoyed our traditonal O-Shogatsu events but the highight
of the morning was demonstration by Bill and Ken.
Zazen - Meditation
1000 Sword Cuts
Aikido Training
Zen Nippon Renmei Iaido Demonstration (W. McLuskie)
Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo Demonstration (W. McLuskie, K. Robbins)
Dojo Lunch
View the seminar pictures
January 6, 2007
What a beautiful day to welcome the coming year.
Zazen - Meditation
1000 Sword Cuts
Aikido Training
Dojo Lunch
View the seminar pictures
Wow what a fantasit opportunity! We were very proud to host Yamada Sensei and Andy Demko here in Charlotte. The seminar was
held at the Antioch Elementary School just down the road from the dojo. The weekend was full of high energy training and friendship.
View the seminar pictures
Water Oak Aikikai's 2005 O-Shogatsu was a featured seminar in the Vol. 2, 2005 edition of Aikido East.
Click the logo to see the page.
January 8, 2005
The highlight of this year's celebration was instruction from 3 Aikido Instructors:
Charlie Huff - Charlotte Aikikai.
Chris Crandall - Raleigh Aikikai
William McLuskie - Water Oak Aikikai
Zazen - Meditation
1000 Sword Cuts
Aikido Training
Dojo Lunch
View the seminar pictures
At the Open Sky Aikikia seminar (Apr 29 - May 1, 2005) Yamada Sensei spoke to
William McLuskie on several topics. He informed William that when he makes his travel schedule
for 2006 he will be including a Fall seminar in Charlotte. As the conversation progressed, Yamada Sensei
was surprised to learn that William was not a Fukushidoin and awarded it on the spot. Overall
a very rewarding weekend for all of the students at Water Oak Aikikai. These two items are very tangible
evidence that the hard work each student is putting forth has been noticed. Congratulations to all!
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