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Dear members and parents, I apologise for a late Spring Newsletter. It has been a most interesting two months. My family and I had the good fortune of moving into a more spacious residence. Packing and relocating gave me an opportunity to reflect on how our lives have evolved, and how our children have grown. As members of our Aikido family, you have been a most precious part of our lives. Thank you. We welcome new members from the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. Aikido classes began at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in January, and we had our first Grading Test there on May 7. We also began offering full-day Pro-D Day Aikido Workshops at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre from February. It has proven a useful supplement to the regular Aikido classes. As many of you advance onto the higher grades, you will find the extra practice beneficial in honing your technique and knowledge. A belated Happy Anniversary to the Gordon Head School Aikido students! Ueshiba Aikido's first Aikido class in Victoria, BC, was held at the school in March of 2004; with grateful thanks to principal Mr Brent Kelly for all his support and encouragement. In Spring, we remember O Sensei, who passed away on April 26, 1969. That weekend also proved most meaningful for us. On Saturday, April 28, we had our first public Aikido Demonstration at the Laurel Point Inn. Thank you, once again, to the Drolet family, Mitchell Gaucher, Mark Balovnev and Nicole Oei. Following the success of our Demo and Hot Dog Event last year, and Potluck Demo the previous year, we will once again have a Demo and Potluck on Friday June 15. You are all invited to attend and share in this academic year-end celebration. A letter will be handed out soon with more details. Until then, have a most fulfilling Spring term. I look forward to practising with you in the Dojo. In harmony, Rafael Oei Sensei. Ueshiba Aikido (Victoria)

in this issue Gradings Pro-D Workshops and Camps July / August Adult Fees Class Schedules Quick Links: Ueshiba Aikido Website The Glossary Page Back Issues Books Grading Structure   Founder of Aikido     Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei

Gradings

Grading Results

Congratulations to students who Graded in February!

Gordon Head Recreation Centre Aikido Classes

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Grading Tests

Grading Tests will be conducted four times a year,
in November, February, May and August.

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

The last grading was held on the week of May 7, 2007.

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

Click here for the syllabus: Grading Structure.

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Pro-D Workshops & Warrior Camps

So far, we have had a successful first run of Pro-D Aikido Workshops, as a supplement to your regular Aikido classes.

Here are the Winter and Spring dates for Pro-D Day workshops at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre:

Do remember to bring along your own bokken and jo, if you have them

Aikido Warriors' Camp

Following the success of our Aikido Warriors' Camp series, since 2005, we are happy to announce the dates for the summer warrior camps for this year:

If you are able to attend the full-day workshop for May 18, or wish to sign up for the Warrior Camp(s) do register at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre reception counter, or online at http://recreation.saanich.ca/reconline/Start/

Students signing up for the camp at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, please register at the reception at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.

I look forward to three exhilarating weeks of intense Aikido practice that will also include workshops for self-development and self-reflection.

See you in the Dojo.

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July / August Adult Fees

The latest Saanich Active Living Guide is now available to be picked up.

There is, however, an error in the published fees in the Adult Aikido classes.

Instead of the published 8/$70, there is no change in the fees from the present charges.

The fees remain as follows:

Tuesday 6-7pm class:                 8/$79
Wednesday 6:30-7:30am class: 8/$76
Thursday 6-7pm class:                8/$79

If you need any clarification, do not hesitate to contact me or the Gordon Head Recreation Centre.

Thank you for your support, patience and understanding.

I appreciate that you have decided to take this journey with me.

I am looking forward to training with you this summer.

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Class Schedules

Gordon Head Rec Ctr

Scheduled classes at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre:

Spring Cycle (8 classes)

Summer Cycle (8 classes)

Juan de Fuca Rec Ctr

Scheduled classes at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre:

Spring Cycle (7 classes)

May 21 is a holiday: Victoria Day

Summer Cycle (7 classes)

Aug 6 is a holiday: BC Day

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, with Grading Tests four times a year.

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 and 70hours for 1kyu.

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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