The
Aikido Warriors' Camp
has been a regular Summer event since the Summer of 2005.
It was
intended as a weeklong overview of Aikido practice and philosophy
for the uninitiated,
and an intense summer refresher for our regular students.
The camps
begin with morning warm-ups and a jog.
This provides a light refreshing warm-up in the morning air,
and for the students to get used to moving around together
and as a team.
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A
team-game normally follows the jog, illustrating and reinforcing
the importance of
working together, being mindful of one's team mates, working
out strategies,
leading the team, and delegating responsibilities. |
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Frisbee
Game |
Capture
the Flag |
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Fox
and the Hen |
International
Football (Soccer) |
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Daily
practice included the observance of
Aikido etiquette and discipline.
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Practising
the Bow |
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Getting
involved and helping to set up... |
Working
together... |
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Being
neat ... |
Reflecting
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The
importance of visualising and setting goals ... |
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through a metaphor using puzzles... |
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After
the normal dojo warm-up, students
are then brought through basic unarmed
and weapons training.
Present
students used the opportunity to refine
their technique and expand their understanding
of Aikido - especially as it applies in daily life.
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Talking
about etiquette and philosophy... |
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Apart
from technique,
the camps reinforced the importance
of developing oneself from the inside;
beginning with proper etiquette, respect,
discipline, self-reliance, accountability,
being responsible, and being
conscious of one's decisions and actions.
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Bean
Bag Game:
Teamwork, focus, speed & agility... |
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Learning
to listen... leading the sightless... |
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engaging all the senses... |
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...practising
centredness... |
...being
specific, and saying what you mean. |
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Inner
focus, control ... |
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each stroke being decisive... |
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... through calligraphy. |
Working
as a team, ... |
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...with
patience, a clear eye,... |
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and steady hand to pass a ping pong ball |
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Games
served to reveal personal attitudes,
character, temperament, beliefs,
and sowed the seeds of self-discovery...
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going beyond assumptions,
taking charge of one's responsibilities,
and being more sensitive to choices,
and others.
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After going around the pole, ... |
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feeling breathless and dizzy... |
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then being calm to transfer beans one at a time... |
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... from one bowl to another using chopsticks. |
Focus,
balance, centredness, carrying a tennis ball. |
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...
remembering faces and names... |
Being
alert and quick, in "Dog & the Bone".
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Students
were also introduced to the idea of KI.
These
exercises required students to be aligned
within themselves - balanced in mind, spirit and body.
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Being
alert, with the "Wink" murderer on the loose. |
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Finding
the Centre ... |
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receiving and redirecting energy... |
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extension of "ki"... |
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Participants
also practised multiple attacks.
These
exercises demonstrated the importance of movement, centredness,
and going with the flow.
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The camps
ended with a little demonstration,
along with the presentation of certificates.
Thanks
and appreciation to parents and students
for the success of the camps.
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A slideshow
for the parents...
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Your
children's enthusiasm... |
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... attentiveness, and attitude are impressive. |
Thank
you for supporting their interest in Aikido. |
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Aikido
Warriors' Camp 12 July 2010 |
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Aikido
Warriors' Camp 26 July 2010 |
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Aikido
Warriors' Camp 9 August 2010
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Thank
you once again for such a wonderful and enriching summer.
See you in the Dojo! |
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