Dear parents and students,

Welcome back!

We had an excellent first week back after two months without regular Aikido classes. It's good to be back in the dojo again. A warm welcome to students and families who are new to our dojo as well. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need clarification about anything pertaining to Aikido and our dojo.

Just a reminder that normally, if there is a long weekend coming up with a holiday on a Monday, the recreation centre does not schedule the Saturday classes for that weekend. So if you have signed up for the full year programme, be rest assured that all classes have already been accounted for in the fee.

Speaking of which, there are only two exceptions that include both Friday and Saturday:
- Friday 25 and Saturday 26 of September: Being the Lantern Festival, Gordon Head Recreation Centre has not scheduled classes on both those days as they will be storing the props used for the lantern festival in the Bert Richman Building over those two days. Sponsored by Immigration Canada and local communities, if you find yourself free that weekend, you are welcome to come and join in the fun and activities that celebrate the Lantern Festival - also know as the Moon Cake Festival, in South East Asia.

- Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May 2016: This is because I will be leading a small group of students to join my sensei, Chang Shihan from Singapore, for our biennial visit to the World Aikido Headquarters, Aikikai Hombu Dojo, in Tokyo, Japan. The proposed visit next year will be from Friday 20 May to Sunday 29 May, and it will coincide with the Annual All Japan Aikido Demonstration at the Budokan on Saturday 28 May. At the moment, the trip is still tentative, and only selected students will be invited to accompany me on this trip. Confirmation will be made directly with students involved with the visit.

Information for the Autumn classes are already up on our website under "Notices".  Please remember to register ahead as under Saanich policy, students who are not registered are not allowed to attend classes due to insurance liabilities. Perhaps consider signing up for the year-long programme. 

Please visit our website (or FaceBook pages) and check our Notices for information and updates. To keep our database current, please inform us if you have a change of address, new email, or new contact numbers. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

For your convenience, here is a calendar you can print and put up on the fridge.

Here's to a most enriching and meaningful year of practice!

See you in the Dojo!

With peace and harmony,
Rafael Oei Sensei
Ueshiba Aikido Victoria
© Ueshiba Aikido Victoria – OWH Industries: Sep 2015.