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Dear parents and students, Happy Summer! Thank you for all your birthday wishes, and a wonderful turn out at our year-end Annual Aikido Demonstration and Potluck 2009. It is so heartening to experience the bond that has developed amongst Aikido students and their families. I am so grateful that you all came together to make this year-end celebration such a success once again. The students did a brilliant job demonstrating some of what they had learnt over the year. You can view the photos at http://www.ueshibaaikido.com//DemoPotluck2k9.htm During the potluck, we acknowledged students who have been with us since our first class in March 2004, here in Victoria. I acknowledge them once again, with grateful appreciation: Sharon Lam, Andrew Sharon and Nicole Oei. We also had to bid farewell to a dedicated student, Mark Balovnev, and to Celeste Brill, from our new under 7 Aikido class. You will both be missed. We were also invited to demonstrate at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre's Open House on Saturday, 20 June. Thanks to Malcolm McLaren, Mitchell Gaucher, Liam Aloni, Noah Rondeau, Alpha and Beta Willebordse, and Nicole Oei for volunteering to man the table and for participating in the demonstration. View the photos at http://www.ueshibaaikido.com//GHRecDemo20Jun2k9.htm This Summer, regular classes were scheduled, as were our popular annual Aikido Warrior Camps. This year, we were also going to introduce a week-long half-day Warrior Camp for children under 7 for the first time. HOWEVER, I must express my deepest apologies as I have had to cancel our summer schedule this year; the first time since we started our summer programme in 2004, and our very first Aikido Warriors' Camp in 2005. As you may know, my wife Katherene has been by her mother's side in Singapore since her mother suddenly took a turn for the worse after undergoing a new treatment for cancer. While news of Michael Jackson's passing on 25 June was still fresh, my wife phoned me to say that apart from being too weak to walk, and a body ravaged by cancer, doctors found a clot in her mother's lung and a tumour growing on her kidney. It was a very difficult decision as I was looking forward to our annual summer Warrior Camps, as I am sure you were too. We thought that it was best that we have our children, and as a family, visit their grandmother in Singapore instead, in case this summer is to be her last. We will return on Wednesday 9 September, and classes will resume again as usual from Thursday 10 September. Please check the schedules for Autumn carefully as the cycles run 7 and 6 classes because the auditorium will undergo renovations from 7 December. My wife and I appreciate all the support and help you have shown us, and are touched by your kindness, openness, and sincerity. Thank you, also, for your interest and dedication to the practice of Aikido. Have a most enjoyable and meaningful Summer! We look forward to seeing you in Autumn once again, and a fresh start in the new 2009/10 academic year. See you in the Dojo. In harmony, Rafael Oei Sensei. Ueshiba Aikido (Victoria)

in this issue June Grading Results Aikido Warrior Camps Trip to Hombu Dojo, Japan, 2010 Class Schedules Ueshiba Aikido Golf/Polo shirts Quick Links: Ueshiba Aikido Website The Glossary Page Back Issues Essentials Books Grading Structure   Founder of Aikido     Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei

June Grading Results

Congratulations to students who Graded in June!

Gordon Head Recreation Centre Aikido Classes

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Aikido Warrior Camps

{ With deep apologies, these have now been cancelled due to a family emergency...
Classes will resume from Thursday 10 September in the Fall }

Please note that the morning will commence outside, so come in either gym or PE attire.

Do ensure that your Dogi is fresh and clean each day of the camp, and do bring along your weapons if you have them.

Remember to pack snacks and a lunch. Please bring only water in your water-bottle.

If you wish to sign up for the camps, do register at the respective recreation centres.

I look forward to seeing you there.

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Trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan, 2010

Every two years, my Sensei makes a trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan, to maintain a healthy relationship with the World Aikido Headquarters. This was one of the conditions given to him by the late Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, before being allowed to use the name "Ueshiba Aikido" for our Dojos. The next trip to Hombu Dojo will be in 2010, possibly from May 22 - 30.

Due to the nature of the visit, the protocol involved, and the training, I will select up to six students to accompany me on this trip. We will leave on Saturday, to stay overnight at Narita Airport to be on time to meet my Sensei and his group, who will be arriving on Sunday from Singapore.

An estimate of the costs are:
$1200: Plane ticket on JAL.
$3000: Cost of accommodation, tours, meals, transportation and gratuity, and Hombu Dojo contribution.

Itinerary of the trip, based on 2008 tour:
- Mt Fuji
- Hakone
- Daily practice at Aikikai Hombu Dojo
- All Japan Aikido Demonstration at the Budokan

More details and confirmation of costs and dates will be made closer to the event.

The trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo will be a trip worth the experience.

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Class Schedules

Kids under 7 Class @ Gordon Head Middle School

Aikido classes for the 5 to 7 year olds are on Saturdays from 11:15am to 12noon.

Classes will be at the Gordon Head Middle School Dance Studio.
As space is limited, do sign up soon if you are interested. Classes will be limited to only 10 students.

Autumn Cycles
Code no: TBA (7 classes/$51)

Code no: TBA (6 classes/$45)

Do register at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre reception counter,
or online at http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Start/.

If you have any queries, feel free to contact me at 250-818-0284, or email me at rafoei@shaw.ca.

Gordon Head Rec Ctr

Scheduled classes at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre:

Autumn Cycle (7 classes)

Children's classes (7/$65)
Code no: TBA : Thu 4pm
Code no: TBA : Thu 5pm
Code no: TBA : Fri 4pm
Code no: TBA : Fri 5pm

Adult's classes
Code no: TBA : Tue 6pm (6/$65)
Code no: TBA : Thu 6pm (7/$75)

Autumn Cycle II (6 classes)

Children's classes (6/$56)
Code no: TBA : Thu 4pm
Code no: TBA : Thu 5pm
Code no: TBA : Fri 4pm
Code no: TBA : Fri 5pm

Adult's classes (6/$65)
Code no: TBA : Tue 6pm
Code no: TBA : Thu 6pm

Renovations begin in the auditorium the week of Dec 07, so this cycle only has six weeks.

Students who are in the following grade levels may enrol in the corresponding class(es).

If you are unable to make it for that class, do contact me and provisions will be made.
As far as possible, do try to enrol in the appropriate class to reap the best benefit from that class:

If you are 16 years and above, do consider enrolling in the Tuesday and/or Thursday Adult classes.

If you wish to also enrol in the 4pm classes to continue improving on your basic techniques, you are more than welcome to join us then.

Gordon Head Middle School

Aikido classes at Gordon Head Middle School will continue during lunch break on Mondays.
Grateful thanks to Gordon Head Principal, Mr Kelly,
for his continued support of providing this programme for his students.

The recreation centre requires that all students be accounted for from the first lesson of each cycle.

As our Aikido programme is on-going, members of our dojo are encouraged to pre-registered for each new cycle.

Currently, students are reminded to register for each new cycle two weeks before the end of each cycle.
Typically, a cycle lasts two months. This year, there will only be three Grading Tests.

Post-dated cheques may be submitted to me or Mrs. Oei (Kathy).
The cheques are to be made payable to "Corporation of the District of Saanich".

Register at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre reception counter, or online at http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Start/

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Grading Tests

This year, there will be four Grading Tests;
in November, February, May, and August.

Please Note:

Students are required to practice at least:
20hours for 12kyu to 9kyu,
30hours for 8kyu to 6kyu,
40hours for 5kyu,
50hours for 4kyu and 3kyu,
60hours for 2kyu
70hours for 1kyu.

Practice hours, ideally, should be continuous uninterrupted practice. Hours are not cumulative over weeks or months of inactivity. This is necessary, as with all skills, to enable the student to refine and develop fluency in his/her knowledge, balance and technique in the art. If a student is absent for six months or more, the student will revert back to the level of white belt until the student demonstrates the ability to perform at his/her previous level.

Only students who are ready and eligible for grading will be invited to apply to be graded.

No video recording or photography will be allowed during Grading Tests.

Click here for the syllabus: Grading Structure.

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Ueshiba Aikido Golf/Polo Shirts

A series of shirts, jackets and hoodies (for the younger students) are now available.

These are in black with the (kanji) characters "Aikido" embroidered in gold on the left or right chest, and the words "Ueshiba Aikido, Victoria BC" embroidered on the sleeve.

Adults:
Golf/polo shirt: $30.
Hoodie: $48.
Jacket is $70.

Youth:
Golf/polo shirt: $28.
Hoodie: $40.

There are also UAV T-shirts ($15) available, with original art by Rafael Oei Sensei.

You may view the shirts, jackets and hoodies on the website, or catch those who have already purchased their own.

If you are interested to order, please see Mrs Oei or send me an email.

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