Aikido Student Featurettes
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Sue Peterson is a Project Manager for EDS (former presidential candidate, Ross Perot's company) where she manages large projects in their benefits outsourcing area.
Sue recently moved to Colorado Springs from Voorhees, New Jersey. Voorhees is directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. She's lived most of her life in the North East part of the country.
Sue is a 2nd degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, another Japnese martial art. In 2006, she started training Aikido in New Jersey. "I actually had been looking to start back up in Shotokan karate, but was unable to find a school close to where I was living. I was open to training other martial arts as long as they were Japanese in origin so that I would at least have the cultural familiarity. That's when I discovered Aikido."
When asked why Sue drives over 30 minutes to up to Castle Rock to train Aikido with Sensei Albright and Sensei Shiraki she said, "Aikido is my meditation and I always feel great after class because it helps me shake off daily stresses. I'm very happy to have found Castle Rock Aikido. It is a wonderful school with a great vibe... I couldn't have asked for anything better."
August '07 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Sue Peterson
October '07 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Doug Stewart
Doug Stewart, 55, is a Project Manager for the Department of Homeland Security. Doug is a Colorado native, born in Walsenburg and has lived in Castle Rock since 1992. He feels fortunate to have explored much of the state before Colorado became such a popular place to live in.
Having studied karate in the past, today Doug prefers Aikido. "Aikido offers both physical and mental exercise, not to mention a lifelong martial arts activity. I have been waiting for Aikido to come to Castle Rock for quite some time and it certainly has not
disappointed. Sensei Jeff and Miho make it an experience I don't like to miss."
If he's not on the mat practicing Aikido, Doug can be found fly-fishing or motorcycling. "These are all forms of meditation for me. The great thing about Aikido is that after a long day at work I can clear my head and focus on training and learn the art."
Doug has been training Aikido since Castle Rock AIKIDO opened in March and, in that time, he has lost 35 pounds. Additionally, Doug enjoys practices Aikido with his son, Brett, who is also a student at Castle Rock AIKIDO.
November '07 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Elizabeth Castor
Elizabeth Castor is one of our senior students at Castle Rock AIKIDO. An art teacher for elementary students, Elizabeth has lived in Denver for about 9 years now. Elizabeth's first introduction to martial arts was Aikido (lucky her). Referred by a friend, Elizabeth has been practicing diligently since 2004.
"Aikido is a great way for me to reconnect with myself," says Elizabeth. "Aikido offers a much needed chance to learn, relearn and refine. I get a chance to learn flexibility, both physically and mentally. The art requires a sense of adaptability and change in given circumstances. Although you
are trying to protect yourself, you do so in a manner that is fluid and forgiving. I get the chance to learn to trust my Aikido partner. I get a chance to learn new limits for my body." When she is not tossing partners around on the Aikido mat, she likes to read, play volleyball and work on her own art. According to Elizabeth, the best reason to practice Aikido... "It's fun!"
December '07 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Kriss Myer
Kriss Myer and his family moved to Castle Rock from Huntsville, Alabama about 6 years ago. He and his wife grew up in California so moving back west was a welcome change for them. Now in Colorado, he and his family enjoy hiking, backpacking, and for the last two years they’ve been fairly avid skiers.
When Kriss isn’t practicing Aikido or playing country blues style guitar, he works as a photogrammetrist, which, of course, means that he takes pictures of gram crackers – OK, not really. He is in software support analysis where he helps other people and companies make sophisticated maps.
Aikido isn’t Kriss’ first experience with martial arts. When he
was about ten years old he studied Karate for a few years. “When I was little my brother had a copy of the book: Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere by by Adele Westbrook and Oscar Ratti. It's a beautifully illustrated book and I remember absolutely pouring over it.” As an adult, Aikido kind of snuck up on him. He initially came across the Castle Rock AIKIDO web site while looking for a martial arts school for his son. So, on a lark, Kriss web searched Aikido in Colorado and there before him in the search results was Castle Rock Aikido. “The best part was that it was practically in my back yard! I couldn't pass up on the opportunity. So even though I was looking for a martial art for my son, I’m the one who ended up taking up martial arts.”
“The ‘martial’ aspect of Aikido is really secondary to me. I like the “art” of Aikido. Like playing a musical instrument, it's something that you'll never top out at. There's always something else you can learn from it and I'd like to think that Aikido is something I'll be able to practice for the rest of my life.”
Kriss goes on to say that “Aikido makes me feel better. I've only been practicing for about four months now, but I've lost some weight, feel stronger, and I've toughened up physically. Additionally, my stress level at home and at work has noticeably decreased, which is something my kids particularly appreciate around homework time.”
When asked why others should practice Aikido, Kriss says, “I think everyone needs something in their lives that keeps them moving forward, (something) that is constantly challenging them to do better. If someone is looking for something like that that's outside of home and work, something that's entirely their own and that has a physical component, then Aikido might just be for them.”
Kriss occasionally has to travel for work. “On my last two business trips I've visited other dojos to practice. One of the unique things about Aikido is that you are welcome to visit other schools around the country and are made to feel right at home. On my last trip I had the pleasure of working out with someone who was almost entirely blind. She was a brown belt and, for her level, she was an exceptionally good Aikidoka (aikido student). Needless to say, I was impressed with her as a person but what was really driven home was the fact that Aikido is for just about everyone regardless of ones physical abilities or handicaps.”
January '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Richard Rosenbaum
Richard has been training at Castle Rock AIKIDO with us since June of last year. A resident of Larkspur, Colorado, Richard works for Qwest where he helps maintain the 911 Emergency system at local 911 Call Centers. He and his wife moved to Colorado from Texas in 1995. They have three grown children (two sons and a daughter).
When he is not at the dojo practicing Aikido Richard stays quite busy. When the weather is nice he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and during the season, he enjoys hunting big game here in Colorado. At age 51, Richard is also a grandfather to a two year old named Nathan. He looks
forward to taking his grandson fishing when Nathan is just a little bit older. Richard is also a "Master Freemason" and is quite an active member in the various Masonic organizations in Colorado. Freemasonry, of course, is one of the oldest Fraternities in the world and the oldest American fraternity organization.
Richard also holds a green belt in TaeKwonDo, a Korean martial art he trained in some years ago. When asked what he likes best about training Aikido, Richard says, "It feels like a family at Castle Rock AIKIDO. Everybody here helps one another and I think we all have an enjoyable time training together. It's good aerobic exercise and it helps me shake off stress from work and family. Furthermore, no matter how up or down I feel going to the dojo to practice, I always feel better after class. I would strongly recommend joining our family to anyone!"
Recently, Richard won a Memoirs of a Geisha DVD in a raffle at our year-end class "Keiko Osame." That night Richard also received a Japanese brush and ink calligraphy or "Shikishi" (pronounced 'she'-'key'-'she'), hand-written by Shiraki Sensei herself. Richard's Shikishi read "water" and was meant to inspire his Aikido training in the coming year to mimic the passive, fluid characteristic of water. Richard is a pleasure to have in the dojo and is a committed Aikido student.
February '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Daniel Hicks
In addition to Aikido I try to spend as much time as I can in the outdoors backpacking, hiking, camping and sightseeing. Before I moved to Denver, I was really big into sailing and I bought a small sailboat to sail in small races on Lake Superior. Colorado doesn't have very many opportunities for sailing, so my boat is currently sitting at my parents' house in Michigan.
How long have you lived in Colorado?
I moved to Denver in January 2003, so I guess I've been out here for 5 years now. Before that, I was at school at Michigan Tech in the upper peninsula of Michigan (way up by Canada).
How long have you been training in Aikido?
I practiced for about 1-1/2 years at Michigan Tech before I moved to Denver and then trained for a short while at another dojo in Denver before finding Albright and Shiraki Sensei. Overall, I'd say about 4-1/2 years total.
What other martial arts, if any, have you trained?
I trained in Iaido (the Japanese art of sword drawing) with Albright and Shiraki Sensei for about 1/2 a year when our dojo was still in Stapleton. I also took a few classes in Tae kwon do and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at Michigan Tech before I found out that those styles weren't for me. That's all the experience I have.
What is it about Aikido that you like best?
Aikido is vast. If you're interested in physical fitness, Aikido has a place for you. If you're interested in philosophy, Aikido has a place for you. If you're interested in a very practical martial art, Aikido has a place for you. If you're interested in personal development, Aikido has a place for you. And you can train in everything all at the same time.
Why did you select Aikido as opposed to other martial art styles?
Honestly, I have very little desire to associate with people with big egos or a "training to become a badass" mentality. I still have a sour taste in my mouth when I think about my introduction to those styles I mentioned earlier. It was all very machismo with an arrogant attitude. I'm probably wrong about associating everything non-Aikido like this, but in my five plus years of Aikido there has only been a one or two isolated instances where I've come across this type of behavior in Aikido. This includes in the dojo as well as out of the dojo with fellow Aikido students. Even the Aikidoka (aikido students) I've met who choose to focus on the more martial aspects of Aikido, they are very easy-going. Aikido is just a good fit for my personality.
What does Aikido do for you?
Aikido allows me to push myself to my limits for personal growth and, at the same time, learn a martial art.
Why do you think others should practice Aikido?
Actually, there's no reason why anyone shouldn't practice Aikido. For me, the beginning reasons were all about physical fitness, expanding my horizons, developing self-confidence and a "non-violent" attitude. Now, it's more about self-discipline, awareness, personal growth, and control.
What is your favorite quote by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido?
"Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through forging, it becomes steel and is transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human beings develop in the same fashion."
Daniel, tell us what do you do for a living?
I'm an Acoustics & Audio/Visual Engineer. Most people think that I'm a sound engineer for concerts, but actually I design the buildings for good acoustics and the AV systems for use during the concerts. I work on theaters, recording studios, conference halls, courtrooms, and even high-end condo developments and residences.
When you're not practicing Aikido, what are some of your hobbies?
March '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Cari Podzemny
When she is not busy looking for meddling microorganism in a patient's various body fluids she likes to go hiking in the mountains and foothills, and lately has been spending a lot of time fixing up the house she and her husband, Justin, recently purchased.
Cari and Justin moved to Colorado about four and a half years ago, shortly after they graduated from college. They've lived in Castle Rock for about three of those years.
A while back, Cari tried the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do, but found that it wasn't a good fit for her as it interfered with her other activities. Also, she was mixed into a martial arts class with children and she just didn't like that. She stopped training after just two months.
When asked what Cari likes best about Aikido, she says, "Aikido is just fun. Also, it has a certain aesthetic quality and fluidity that you don't see in other martial art styles. It's just so beautiful to watch. I like that Aikido is a form of 'budo' (or Way of Living), rather than just a 'jutsu' (a system of fighting). Aikido has more philosophical aspects and applications to it than just self-defense or learning how to fight. I especially like it because it is not dependent on size or strength to be practiced effectively."
Aikido students spend a lot of time practicing "ukemi" or falling. For many people, particularly as they get older, falling is one of the scariest experiences to have. For Aikido students who learn how to fall safely, properly, and with confidence, they often replace the word "falling" with "flying." To articulate her own falling experience in Aikido, Cari quotes Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and several other books:
"There is an art, or, rather, a knack to flying.
The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
- Douglas Adams
"Practicing Aikido challenges me to step outside of my box, to do things I would normally never do like being willingly thrown towards the ground without getting hurt!"
Cari recently tested for "yon-kyu" or 4th rank under black belt in the art of Aikido. She "flew" threw the air with ease and passed the test with "flying" colors. Cari is a dedicated, serious Aikido student, a fast learner, and a pleasure to have train with us in Castle Rock. She recently convinced her husband to join our program as well.
Cari has been training at Castle Rock AIKIDO since June of last year. She's a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (a.k.a. Medical Technologist), which basically means she works in a laboratory at a hospital processing everything from basic blood chemistries like cholesterol and glucose levels to cross-matching blood for patients who require transfusions.
April '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Michael Kilman
Michael Kilman studies Cultural Anthropology at Metro State University in Denver. When he's not deep in the books, Michael is an Intuitive Life Coach who helps others to find a sense of peace in their lives. He also works part-time as a freelance videographer. He's been training at Castle Rock AIKIDO since last summer. Michael grew up in Philadelphia, had a short stint in Portland, Oregon, and have lived in Castle Rock for 11 years.
Michael, what are some of your hobbies in addition to Aikido?
"I spend a lot of time reading and meditating. I like to be in the outdoors and especially love the ocean, even though I live in Colorado. I like hiking and playing with my two young children, Francis and Gabriella."
What other martial arts have you trained?
"I trained briefly at an Aiki-Jujitsu, but I feel much more at home at Castle Rock AIKIDO with Albright Sensei and Shiraki Sensei. Even though my other teachers were great, I always felt like there was something missing, and Castle Rock AIKIDO is really like a big family. Everyone is wonderfully accepting of each other and is there to help each other learn and grown on a personal level, not just a martial arts level."
What do you like best about Aikido?
"Aikido is very similar to what I do with people on a daily basis. Aikido teaches you to stop and think about how you deal with conflict. It lets you step outside of yourself for a moment and see not only how you could try to do the technique differently, but how to deal with other aspects of your life differently. It works hand in hand perfectly with the transformational meditation that I do everyday. I think Aikido also teaches a person to remain calm in stressful situations and that, itself, can be an extremely valuable tool."
Why did you select Aikido as opposed to other martial art styles?
"I was told that Aikido was a more spiritual path; that it was a path of personal growth and change. After some research, I discovered that it was perfectly aligned with my goals as a person. I think Aikido helps me to be more well-rounded and it is nice to have a physical path towards spiritual growth. I think people often associate spirituality with the non-physical, but Aikido is proof that spiritual growth can be a very physical path! I feel my mind and body grow in harmony with one another, and I feel that the contrasting teaching styles of Albright Sensei and Shiraki Sensei really push that harmony along. Additionally, since I have started Aikido I have changed my whole attitude on physical health for the better."
Why do you think others should practice Aikido?
"I think anyone who is interested on trying to make positive changes in their life should at least try Aikido as one means toward achieving that change. Aikido presents us with a rare opportunity; one we don't normally have in our society. It gives us an open place to explore and attempt personal change with the support of two wonderful teachers who are willing to go above and beyond the simple title of "teacher." It is very difficult to find such an environment that fosters this kind of tremendous personal change and growth. Castle Rock AIKIDO is definitively the place to do just that."
Anything else you'd like to offer about your experience at Castle Rock AIKIDO?
"I think we should recognize how important it is to learn to blend with and redirect conflict. Be it internal or external, there is conflict all around us. Aikido is a tool we can use to address conflict and to try to look at it from another perspective. Conflict is a part of life, and if you learn how to deal with it in a calm, rational manner many obstacles that life presents us with can become non-existent. Sometimes, when the sun shines on an object from a different direction, the image appears to change entirely. Similarly, Aikido helps me to look at my life in a different way, and many of my problems seem virtually non-existent."
Learn more about Michael's Intuitive Life Coaching services at: www.michaelkilman.com
All of Ramon's martial arts experience has all been in the art of Aikido. Ramon was first introduced to Aikido in New York City with a school called Shin-Budo Kai under Imaizumi Sensei in the mid 1990s. In 2002 and 2003, he continued his training at the Aikido Center of Los Angeles under the late Reverend Kensho Furuya Sensei. "Unfortunately, my training in both instances was limited due to either time or career constraints. However, once I arrived in Colorado, I was eager to continue and stick with my training in Aikido. I have been very fortunate to always find great Aikido schools. The key, for me, has always been to find great instructors and committed students - Castle Rock AIKIDO fits that category," says Ramon.
Before selecting Aikido, Ramon did extensive research into numerous martial art styles. He literally lived in bookstores and read avidly on various forms, philosophies, and the technical execution of different arts. After visiting several schools and getting a feel for the diversity that martial arts offered, he decided that Aikido was the best fit for him. He discovered that virtually every other martial art stressed, in its purest form, an attack stance and an aggressive philosophical outlook, instead of a defensive one. "Aikido is different in this regard because O-Sensei specifically wanted to create an art form whose whole purpose was peaceful in nature - to defeat the mind of inner contention. To me this was the biggest difference. Aikido diverges on its own unique path as both a physical art and exceptional philosophy. For this, I fell in love with every aspect of Aikido."
Ramon continues, "I remember the first time I started practicing Aikido. There was a strength that I began to develop that I never thought I had. My arms felt different, the way I walked, and even my breathing - they were all revitalized. Today, I still practice Ki (Energy) breathing. It helps me to focus and to continue to work on my inner and physical strength. Aikido keeps me grounded. It also rejuvenates me, energizes me and truly embodies every component of my mind, body, and spirit.
"Concepts such as harmony, honor, and spiritual consciousness can be difficult to achieve in our world, which prides itself on being technologically advanced, but spiritually impoverished. Instead, being disconnected, greedy, and selfish appear to be the expectation and at the cost of every other living thing in our world. It seems getting ahead is more important than learning how to live together peacefully and evolving as a more developed human race.
"Aikido refines me as a human being and helps me become a better person. When practicing on the mat, I have the opportunity to restore a lost part of my humanity as I work through some common negative emotions such as frustration, fear, anger, and arrogance. The more you practice Aikido, the more you are slowly re-connected to the source of all life. For many individuals, it's an opportunity to return to your true self, while developing the wisdom of a sage - in essence, you are allowed to be free again."
It is a pleasure having Ramon as a students at the Castle Rock AIKIDO dojo.
May '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Ramon Almeyda
Castle Rock AIKIDO student Ramon Almeyda and his wife recently moved from Los Angeles to Aurora, Colorado where they purchased their first home. Ramon teaches 5th grade with the Aurora Public Schools at Century Elementary School. He teaches numerous subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and recently water conservation. Before entering the teaching profession, he worked previously with JetBlue Airways in Long Beach, California. Ramon enjoys running and biking, and is looking forward to trying out hiking, rafting, and camping in Colorado's great outdoors this summer.
July '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: Tim Keating
Tim Keating has been training with us at Castle Rock AIKIDO since last summer. Before that he trained for 7 years at the Northcoast School of Aikido under John Thomas Read Sensei in northern California.
Tim is a very busy man. He's a Real Estate Agent for Keller Williams Realty DTC specializing in Castle Pines residential real estate. Tim also brokers commercial real estate. In fact, Tim acted as Castle Rock AIKIDO's broker with regard to the purchase of our new Aikido dojo on Caprice Court.
Additionally, Tim is a co-owner of SWS Mountain Guides (SWS stands for "Sierra Wilderness Seminars") based in Mt. Shasta, California. Founded by Tim in 1981, SWS is a mountaineering school with professionally guided climbs and courses in California, as well as extended 1-2 week expeditions to South America, Russia, Mexico, Nepal, and Africa. Tim has climbed dozens of famous mountain peaks around the world such as Pico de Orizaba in Mexico, the 3rd highest mountain in all of North America.
When not practicing Aikido, Tim says that he enjoys technical rock and ice climbing, along with Alpine, Telemark, and Backcountry skiing. He also enjoys building model trains from the steam era in HO scale. Right now, Tim is training for an upcoming triathlon in Boise, Idaho.
Tim and his wife, Emily, have an 8 year-old son and have lived in Colorado for three years now. They moved here from Dallas, Texas; Portland, Oregon before that; and San Francisco, California before that.
When asked what he likes best about Aikido, Tim says he like the "sense of awareness that comes with Aikido the connection of mind and body and the ability to use Aikido in everyday life to practice the art in all facets of my own life. I really benefit from the connection to something larger then myself through movement and focus."
Aikido is the only martial art Tim has ever trained. "I selected Aikido because of its non-violent nature. The philosophy that when you are attacked the attacker is out of harmony with the Universe and your obligation is to show the attacker the path back to harmony without creating more dis-harmony."
Tim goes on to say that, "training in Aikido reminds me to practice Aikido in my daily life both inside and outside the dojo; that there are larger forces at work then just my being here in the Universe; that all things are connected once we get past ego, self and the ability to look beyond the regular and mundane routines of life. Of course, this is easier said then done and all of this is very easy to forget and very difficult to master."
"I would encourage others to try Aikido in order to find that place within one's self that is calm, quiet, and yet strong and confident, all of which can be used in all situations in life. Aikido is training in life itself."
"Our new building is great! I'd like to compliment Albright Sensei, Shiraki Sensei, Sean, and all those who have made the new dojo a great place to train in. It's fantastic to be able to feel the great energy which is being infused into the new dojo. I'm looking forward to training at Castle Rock AIKIDO for many years and watching the school progress into a truly special place to further explore the depths of Aikido.
Tim is a very fun person to have at the dojo. He possesses a wealth of knowlege and experience in many different walks of life and is always entertaining.
To learn more about SWS's expeditions visit: www.SWSmountainguides.com
If you're looking to purchase real estate in the Castle Rock/Castle Pines area visit: www.cpvrealestate.com
June '08 AIKIDO Student Featurette: None
Sorry. No Student Featurette this month. We are too busy with something very TOP SECRET. We let you in on it soon.
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