Dojo News - April 2008
April 4th, 2008
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Student Daniel Hicks receives AIKIDO Black Belt
Welcome to the Dojo of Life - Gabriella!
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Four Years of Aikido Training Finally Pays Off!
Worldwide stastics for Aikido reveal that less than 5% of all Aikido students ever reach the rank of black belt.To show how proud we are of Daniel-san for his recent promotion to black belt, Castle Rock AIKIDO decided to purchase Daniel's personally embroiderd hakama (those large, pleated skirt-like pants) and black belt for him.
Embroidered in gold, one end of Daniel's belt reads 'Keiko Shochin,' which roughly translates as "training in the old ways brightens the present." The other end reads 'Da-ni-eru,' which is the Japanese phonetic for "Daniel" in the katakana alphabet. This phrase was personally
We have a new 7lb 2oz edition to Castle Rock AIKIDO. Her name is Gabriella Hannah Kilman born Thursday, March 20th to Aikido student Michael and Connie Kilman. Mother and baby are doing very well. The word is that Gabriella has already starting working on her ukemi! Congratulations Connie & Michael!
NEW! Thursday Evening Classes Added
This decision was made in an effort to allow students additional training time, particulary for those of you who are unable to attend class on other evenings per week. There will be no increase in tuition for this additional training time. We at Castle Rock AIKIDO are always looking for ways to add value to our students' training. We hope our new Thursday evening classes does exactly that!
A FOURTH evening per week to practice AIKIDO beginning April 10th!
Because you asked for it! We have decided to add a 4th evening per week to the Castle Rock AIKIDO training schedule.
Beginning April 10th, 2008 we will be holding an additional Thursday night class at our regular class time of 8:15pm to 9:45pm. That means we will now offer Aikido Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings!
selected for Daniel by Albright Sensei and Shiraki Sensei and was meant to inspire Daniel's continued growth in Aikido and in life.
The three characters that comprise Daniel's phonetic name have special meaning in and of themselves. 'Da' means "big, huge, or great." 'Ni' represents "benevolence." 'Eru' implies "to receive" or "to gain." Therefore, Daniel's name in Japanese means "to receive or gain great benevolence!"
Castle Rock AIKIDO only purchases the higest quality hakama from the Iwata family in Japan. Albright Sensei says that they are the best-made hakama in the world. (They aren't cheap, either!)
Below is a picture of Daniel receiving his indigo-colored hakama from Albright Sensei and Shiraki Sensei. Castle Rock AIKIDO has decided that all black belts will wear the more traditional... more Japanese... indigo-colored hakama in the Castle Rock dojo. In the United States it is somewhat more common to wear black hakama.
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
Student of the Month: Michael Kilman
April Student Featurette
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.
Castle Rock AIKIDO is One Year Old!
Happy Birthday to Us!
It was exactly one year ago this month that Castle Rock AIKIDO opened up for business in Castle Rock. In that time we were voted "Best of Castle Rock 2007" for martial arts by the readers of Castle Rock Magazine, and we have grown considerably since then!
Visit our web site www.CRaikido.com during the month of April for limited-time, special offers for new Aikido students.
There is a lot more in store for Castle Rock AIKIDO in 2008. Be sure to keep in touch.
Remember, we are the only martial arts program exclusively for adults in Castle Rock. Visitors are always welcome to come watch class!
Want to help us promote and grow the dojo?
Students can now get Castle Rock AIKIDO car magnets FREE if they would like to help us advertise. Just place these 11 x 8.5 inch car magnets on the side or back your vehicle. If you'd like one ask a staff member to get one FREE.
Remember, if you'd like to train Aikido for FREE all you have to do is refer one new student to the dojo each month!
Get FREE Castle Rock AIKIDO Car Magnets
April 15th, 2008
Castle Rock AIKIDO
Featured in Denver's Asian Avenue Magazine!
Be sure to pick up the April 2008 issue of Asian Avenue Magazine. Albright Sensei and Shiraki Sensei are featured in an article about how the art of Aikido contributes to the quality of their relationship and marriage. The 500 words article written by Michael Gorniak also highlights Albright Sensei's experiences in Japan, including the courtship of his future wife, Shiraki Sensei. The article cleverly titled, "Training in the Marital Arts" discusses how Aikido has improved both their verbal and physical communication with each other over the past 11 years.
We Need Your Help Right Away!
Help Castle Rock AIKIDO Win Castle Rock's "Best of the Best 2008" Contest!
It's that time of year again! Could we ask for just two minutes of your valuable time to vote Castle Rock AIKIDO Castle Rock's "Best of the Best?" It only takes about 60 seconds! The contest deadline is 5pm MST on April 30th, 2008. But please vote right away!!!
Best Martial Arts: Castle Rock AIKIDO
Best Chiropractor: Dr. Jeff Albright (Sensei)
Best Acupuncture: Dr. Jeff Albright (Sensei)
It takes less than two minutes.
If you are willing, would you also consider voting the following:
Best Gymnastics: Omega Sports Center (Aikido's Landlord)
Best Realtor: Tim Keating (CR Aikido student)
Thanks very much in advance!
Sensei's Corner: April 2008
Edgar Johannsen Sensei's personality and drive is, perhaps, the only reason that the Colorado Aikido Summit has come to fruition once again. It is only because of Edgar's amiable, easy going disposition that he is able to successfully blend with all the diverse personalities in the Colorado Aikido community and bring us all together each year to share in our similarities and learn from our differences.
The Aikido Summit is a great place for younger Aikido students to experience a wide array of Aikido styles once they have attained their black belt and created a foundation from which to build. It is also an opportunity for more veteran black belts to get refocused on their own training and decide what aspects to develop on in the coming year.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article.
Impression from the 8th Annual Colorado Aikido Summit
"Shhhh! I can hear your better when you don't talk."
When you are working with a fellow Aikido student on the mat, be sure to assist them by moving your body in the direction of the technique instead of talking or trying to explain it to them verbally. Aikido is learned by doing, not by talking.
There should be no talking on the mat during Aikido class unless Sensei is speaking to you. If you must exchange dialogue with another student, your voice should never be above that of a whisper. Talking on the mat breaks the intensity and focus of not only your training, but that of others around you, and it often leads to injuries. Your partner can hear you better when you don't talk.
Etiquette Note: Learn by doing, not talking
A Book of Five Rings: Part 2 of 6 - Adaptability
The Water Book
The Water Book is the second of Musashi's Book of Five Rings. Musashi continues his warriorship dissertation by describing why the second book is called the Water Book. "When water is at its base, the soul is like water. Water takes on the shape of its vessel." Musashi explores the virtue of ADAPTABILITY as it pertains to warriorship. He uses the element of water as a metaphor for describing this value.
The longest of the five books, the Water Book spends a great deal of time on specific techniques of sword fighting. Musashi discusses topics such as posture in Strategy, proper gaze in Strategy, proper footwork and stances, and specific techniques and principles such as no plan- no concept, running-water strike, and continuous cut. However, Musashi also still finds time to promulgate philosophical proverbs that can be extrapolated not only to Aikido training, but to daily life, in general. The virtue of adaptability that Musashi advocates (as implicated in the title The Water Book) is taken, by me, to mean adaptability in both physical skill and in the willingness to think and perceive situations flexibly.
In this article, I, once again, offer my own thoughts, opinions, and modern day interpretations of Musashi's poignant philosophy. Again, you are welcome to disagree with and/or ignore anything you read in this interpretative essay.
Click HERE to read the rest of the article.
Click HERE to re-read part one of this article.
Castle Rock AIKIDO
Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Exclusively for Adults
Call (720) 221-3665
