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Dear parents and students, Wow, it's Summer, and Happy Canada Day! Once again, you have made the year-end get together a success. What a wonderful turnout for our 6th year-end Annual Aikido Demonstration and Potluck 2010! It would not have been possible without each and every one of you. Thank you, also, for your birthday wishes. It was such a marvellous evening of friendly fellowship amidst juicy hot dogs. You can view the photos at http://www.ueshibaaikido.com//DemoPotluck2k10.htm During the potluck, we bade farewell to the Forghanis, one of our first students, and one of the first families who made us feel truly welcome here in Victoria. Your friendship and warmth will be missed. Thank you for everything. We also acknowledged and thanked Mitchell Gaucher and Nicole Oei for helping in our under-7year old Aikido Kids' Classes on Saturdays, and presented Noah Rondeau with a letter of introduction as he will be away in Quebec for a few months. The letter serves to introduce Noah as an Aikido practitioner, should he wish to train while in Quebec. We were also invited to demonstrate at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre's Summer Kick Off Carnival Saturday, 5th June. Thanks to all the participants who turned up to demonstrate, especially the 7 and under. You all did very, very well. View the photos at http://www.ueshibaaikido.com//GHRecDemo05Jun2k10.htm The last cycle saw the launch of the first Ladies' Only Class on Wednesdays. This class is only for females 12 years and above. The class will run through the summer on Wednesdays, but will shift to Tuesday evenings at 7pm in the Fall. If you would like to enrol for this exclusive class, register now at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre, and if you have friends who may be interested, do pass the word. As it is summer, with families coming from and going on vacations, if you are unable to register for the entire cycle, students are welcome to drop-in for classes when they are able. Just approach the GH Reception before class and pay the drop-in fee. Then hand us the receipt before the class begins as we will have to keep a record of drop-ins as well. The only provision is that classes must have the required minimum number of students to run. So, if you wish to practice Aikido through the summer, please register by the end of this week as the summer cycle of classes begins next week. At the moment, we only have 2 registered for the Thursday 4pm class, 4 for the Friday 4pm class, 1 registered for the Tuesday adult class, and none for the rest. The highlight for the summer are the Aikido Warriors' Camps. I look forward to the camps because we practice almost everything, from tai-jutsu to weapons. Hope to see you there. If you are going to be away for the summer, do have a most enjoyable and meaningful Summer! I'll look forward to seeing you in Autumn, with a fresh start in the 2010/11 academic year. See you in the Dojo. With peace and harmony, Rafael Oei Sensei. Ueshiba Aikido (Victoria) © Ueshiba Aikido Victoria – OWH Industries: July 2010.

in this issue May Grading Results Aikido Warrior Camps Trip to Hombu Dojo, Japan, 2012 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

May Grading Results

Congratulations to students who Graded in May!

Gordon Head Recreation Centre Aikido Classes

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Aikido Warrior Camps

1. Please note that the morning will commence outside, so come in either gym or PE attire.
2. Do ensure that your Dogi is fresh and clean each day of the camp.
3. Do bring along your weapons if you have them.
4. Remember to pack snacks and a lunch.
5. Please bring only water in your water-bottle.

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

I look forward to seeing you there.

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Trip to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan, 2012

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 2012.

An estimate of the costs are:
$1300: Plane ticket on JAL.
$1900: Cost of accommodation, tours, meals, and transportation.

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

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

Summer Cycle
~ No classes ~

Aikido classes for the 5 to 7 year olds, 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.

Autumn Cycle
Aikido – Kids (5–7yrs)
401812 Sa Sep 11-Oct 30 11:15am-12:00pm 8/$58
401813 Sa Nov 06-Dec 18 11:15am-12:00pm 7/$50

Do register at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre reception counter.

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

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Gordon Head Rec Ctr

Scheduled classes at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre - Bert Richmann Building:

- Summer Cycle -

ADULTS

Aikido - Female Only (12yrs and up)
[Ladies' Classes will be held in the GH Main Auditorium]
402561 Wed Jul 07-Aug 25 7:00pm- 8:00pm 8/$85

Aikido Adult - Mixed Levels (16yrs and up)
377959 Tu Jul 06-Aug 24 6:00pm- 7:00pm 8/$85
377960 Th Jul 08-Aug 26 6:00pm- 7:00pm 8/$85

YOUTH

Aikido-Beginner
377954 Th Jul 08-Aug 26 4:00pm- 5:00pm 8/$75
377956 F Jul 09-Aug 27 4:00pm- 5:00pm 8/$75

Aikido-Intermediate
377955 Th Jul 08-Aug 26 5:00pm- 6:00pm 8/$75
377957 F Jul 09-Aug 27 5:00pm- 6:00pm 8/$75

- Autumn Cycle -

ADULTS

Aikido - Female Only (12yrs and up)
[Ladies' Classes will be held in the Bert Richman Building]
402561 Tu Sep 07-Oct 26 7:00pm- 8:00pm 8/$80
402566 Tu Nov 02-Dec 14 7:00pm- 8:00pm 7/$70

Aikido Adult - Mixed Levels (16yrs and up)
402557 Tu Sep 07-Oct 26 6:00pm- 7:00pm 8/$85
402558 Th Sep 09-Oct 28 6:00pm- 7:00pm 8/$85

Aikido Adult - Mixed Levels (16yrs and up)
402559 Tu Nov 02-Dec 14 6:00pm- 7:00pm 7/$75
402560 Th Nov 04-Dec 16 6:00pm- 7:00pm 6/$64

YOUTH

Aikido-Female Only (12yrs and above)
See Aikido-Female Only in Adult Martial Arts Section

Aikido-Beginner (8-15yrs)
401804 Tu Sep 07-Oct 26 5:00pm- 6:00pm 8/$75
401805 Th Sep 09-Oct 28 4:00pm- 5:00pm 8/$75
401806 F Sep 10-Oct 29 4:00pm- 5:00pm 8/$75

Aikido- Intermediate (8-15yrs)
401807 Th Sep 09-Oct 28 5:00pm- 6:00pm 8/$75
401808 F Sep 10-Oct 29 5:00pm- 6:00pm 8/$75

Aikido-Beginner (8-15yrs)
401809 Tu Nov 02-Dec 14 5:00pm- 6:00pm 7/$66
401810 Th Nov 04-Dec 16 4:00pm- 5:00pm 6/$56
401811 F Nov 05-Dec 17 4:00pm- 5:00pm 7/$66

Aikido-Intermediate (8-15yrs)
401816 Th Nov 04-Dec 16 5:00pm- 6:00pm 6/$56
401818 F Nov 05-Dec 17 5:00pm- 6:00pm 7/$66

Aikido Pro-D-Day Continuing Workshops 8-15yrs
Gordon Head Middle School - Dance Studio

402662 M Sep 20 9:00am-12:00pm 1/$36
402663 F Oct 22 9:00am-12:00pm 1/$36
402664 F Nov 26 9:00am-12:00pm 1/$36

Fri, Feb 18, 2011 9:00am to 12:00pm 1/$36
Fri, May 20, 2011 9:00am to 12:00pm 1/$36

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.

Classes at Gordon Head Middle School will resume in Autumn.

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.

In Autumn, you will have the option of applying for an automatic monthly debit to cover regular class fees every month.

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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 13kyu 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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