| Thank you for participating in the 17th Aikido Warriors' Camp!
With the provincial government easing restrictions,
for safety we maintained a safe distance during our sessions.
Face masks were encouraged,
and we continued to wash our hands and sanitize everything that was touched.
Class sizes remained 16 for Aikido camp, with the focus mainly on weapons.
Games and activities were modified for the camp,
the demonstration at the end of the camp was cancelled,
and the student sign in and out process was strictly monitored.
As with last year, to ensure there would not be crowding in the washrooms and changing rooms,
I decided that this year, again, we would not put on our Dogi for the camp.
The focus for the Aikido Warriors' Camp, though, remained a weeklong overview of Aikido practice and philosophy. |
As much as was possible, each day
of the camp still began with morning warm-ups and a short jog.
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Morning warm ups... |
Thank God for long summer days... |
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Modified outdoor activities to facilitate team building, and cooperation. |
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Relay Races |
Fox and the Hen |
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Frisbee |
Soccer |
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Getting
to know you... |
... reflecting on life choices, behaviour, and philosophy ... |
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Being sensitive to our surroundings... the Animal Sounds Game
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The central theme of the camp remained the importance
of being aware of oneself,
developing one's character
and attitude
from the inside, through the observance of
proper and appropriate
etiquette,
respect,
discipline,
self-reliance,
accountability,
being responsible,
and being conscious
of one's decisions and actions.
How making focussed and targetted decisions can
lead a person in the direction of their desired
outcome in life and in one`s life`s journey.
These are explored through
games,
and paired practice, and reflection.
These contribute to the understanding that lies behind
the control and application of each Aikido technique.
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Jig Saw Game - without a clear goal (blank side up) |
Jig Saw Game - with a clear goal (picture side up) |
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Picnic Lunches and Breaks |
Self-awareness and learning to receive (Mirror Game) |
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Self-awareness: breathing, reflecting, meditating |
Working on focus and directing energy: Ki Exercises |
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Focus and relaxation: Ki Exercises |
Practising forward rolls... |
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Remembering names and being alert:The Blanket Game |
Various circle games |
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Trying calligraphy: poise, control, focus, technique |
Calligraphy: an outward manifestation of oneself |
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Review and reflection |
More ukemi exercises |
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The Blindfold Obstacle Course: meaning what you say... |
The Blindfold Obstacle Course: ... and saying what you mean. |
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Dog and the Bone Game: being alert, agile, crafty... |
Dog and the Bone Game: ... and quick... |
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The Chopstick Game: learning to focus and calm oneself... |
... to transfer little beans with a pair of chopsticks... |
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And, of course, weapons practice... |
The Jo |
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Jo Suburi and Kata |
Group practice... |
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A time to just be silly... |
... and a time to recognise effort... |
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17th Aikido
Warriors' Camp 26 - 30 July 2021 |
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Thank you for an awesome, enjoyable, and very meaningful week of Aikido practice!
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Thanks also to our helpers,
especially Mrs. Gillam, Mrs. Oei, and Nicole.
See you in the Dojo! |
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