Dear parents and students,

Congratulations to students who recently underwent their grading test in February! Well done!

Spring is finally inching its way into our lives. With flowers slowly peeking out to bask in the sunshine, we will soon experience the full bloom of Spring; grateful for providence and good fortune here in Victoria BC.

Some say Spring is late. This brings to mind a conversation I had with my son recently. He had asked me if there were a zero BC or zero AD, and how it came about. Just like easily shifting our clocks for daylight savings, that whole conversation revealed Time as a human construct. Nature does not follow time as we measure it. Nature just IS, and flows on its own volition. So in a sense Spring is exactly on time, every time.

As we whiz through the final school term, preparations will soon be underway for our year-end Annual Aikido Demo and Potluck, and Aikido Warrior Camps. This year, the Annual Aikido Demonstration and Potluck will be held on Friday, 17 June at 5pm. As usual, students will gather at 4pm for a rehearsal and to prepare the space to receive our guests. I am looking forward to another afternoon of fabulous Aikido demonstrations and a culinary feast for our palates. I will circulate information and forms about the potluck closer to the date so that we can coordinate the dishes you may want to share that evening.

This Summer, please note that there will only be two weeklong full-day Aikido Warrior Camps, and only in the month of July. Our regular summer classes will also run only in July. The focus during those classes will be on weapons as a "summer special". This will leave August free for families to enjoy the rest of Summer. If that works out well for everyone, we will follow this model for the next Summer as well. Dates and details are online in the Notices web page.

Be gently reminded to please re-register well in advance of each class cycle. This ensures that your name is on our registration lists, for insurance and liability issues under the recreation centre. It is also your own personal assurance that dues have been paid and you are officially registered with the centre. This in turn reflects your current membership status with Ueshiba Aikido Victoria and your eligibility for grading tests.

If you are new to our Dojo, please note that unlike first-time enrolments, regular students do not receive a pro-rate if you are late with your class registrations, or if classes are missed. We operate on the basis that you have signed on to develop your understanding and proficiency in Aikido. Classes are on-going, based on the Aikikai Hombu Dojo curriculum to prepare you for gradings at the Yudansha level under the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and the Ueshiba Aikido Association, Singapore. You are most welcome to make up for any classes missed to help you catch up with your practice. Please do notify me of your intentions to make up for missed classes before turning up so that arrangements can be made to receive you.

You will find the dates for each cycle, our events, and Aikido Warrior Camps on our Notices page, our online calendar, and on Facebook. Do check in regularly for updates and information.

Finally, to keep our database current, please inform us if you have a change of address, new email, or new contact numbers.

It is such a joy and a pleasure to share and practice Aikido with you. I am grateful and appreciate your friendship, dedication, encouragement, support, and interest in Aikido. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Do have a most pleasant Spring and a blessed Easter!

See you in the Dojo.

With peace and harmony,
Rafael Oei Sensei.
Ueshiba Aikido Victoria
© Ueshiba Aikido Victoria – OWH Industries: April 2011.