The
Aikido Warriors' Camp
is a weeklong overview of Aikido practice and philosophy
for the uninitiated,
and an intense summer refresher for our regular students.
The camps have been a regular Summer event since the Summer of 2005.
Typically, each day
begins with morning warm-ups and a jog:
a light refreshing warm-up in the morning air,
and for students to get used to moving around together
as a team.
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A
team-game normally follows the jog, reinforcing
the importance of
working together, being mindful of 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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Setting personal goals... |
Appreciation and Gratitude... |
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Being
neat ... |
Reflecting
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Movies, to illustrate philosophy, principles... |
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martial tradition and etiquette. |
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After
the normal dojo warm-up, students
were brought through basic unarmed
and weapons training.
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Talking
about etiquette and philosophy... |
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Shikko - Knee Walking ... |
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As a central theme of the camps,
apart
from technique,
the importance
of developing oneself from the inside
is also reinforced:
proper and appropriate 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 and to lead 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, with patience, ... |
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and steady hand to pass a ping pong ball. |
Wheelbarrow Race. |
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Games
served to reveal personal attitudes,
character, temperament, beliefs, ...
going beyond assumptions:
sowed the seeds of self-discovery.
Being more sensitive to choices,
responsibilities
and others.
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After going around the pole, ... |
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feeling breathless and dizzy... |
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then calming down to transfer beans ... |
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... from one bowl to another using chopsticks. |
Musical Chairs... easy and quick, young... |
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agile, and healthy ... |
Not so easy when older, and bent over...
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... to illustrate the effects of Procrastination. |
Blanket Game;
remembering faces and names. |
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Being
alert and quick, in "Dog & the Bone".
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Being
alert, with the "Wink" murderer loose. |
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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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Adjusting to finding
the Centre ... |
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receiving and redirecting energy... |
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extension of "ki"... |
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practising with blindfolds. |
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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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 11 July 2011 |
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Aikido
Warriors' Camp 25 July 2011 |
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Thank
you once again for such a wonderful and enriching summer.
See you in the Dojo! |
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