Trip to Shingu!

Hi all. Brandon, Jon W. and myself are in Japan right now, all on our third trip over here. We went to Shingu to train in the Kumano Juku dojo with Anno-Sensei. Anno-Sensei took over the dojo after Hikitsuchi-Sensei`s death.

Let me tell you, the humidity was oppressive to the extreme. Modesto is quite a bit hotter, but as the saying goes: "It`s the dry heat!" Towards the first night of training, I couldn`t stop hyper-ventilating for thirty minutes. Needless to say, I recovered, but it was quite an experience.

Anno-Sensei and all the other instructors and aikidoka were extremely gracious and helpful. Anno-Sensei personally drove us to Natchi Falls and then showed us some of the many shrines nearby.

I`ll hopefully put up photos of our trip in a few days.

Mata ne,

Jon B.

Get ready for some more changes at AOM!

We've made a lot of changes in the past couple of years. We have new a/c on the mat, so training in the summer is much better. We replaced our mat last year and the whole dojo pitched in to put it on. We would like to thank all our members for the invaluable help they provide to our dojo.

We're also going to put more exciting videos of some of our training so everyone can get a look at what vigorous training is like. Remember, guests are welcome to observe all classes!

Next women's self-defence class will be on Saturday, March 21 from 2:00-4:00pm

Woman and girls of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to try this class with an emphasis on awareness and safety. No martial arts knowledge is necessary. Bring your friends!

The dojo will be closed this Saturday due to the quarterly Yudansha seminar

Yudansha (black belts) from all ASU dojos in Northern California meet every 3 months at one of the areas dojos. This Saurday we'll be at the new Aikido of Tamalpais!

Update on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 10:56PM by Jon B.

I just want to say that the training at the Aikido of Tamalpais was great. Their new dojo is very nice and will be home to seminars from both Saotome Sensei and Ikeda Sensei. Wendy Palmer Sensei taught the first part of the yudansha training and was as elegant as ever in her aikido.

Free Women's Self-Defence Class Saturday, February 22 @ 2:00-4:00pm

This class is held the third Saturday of every month and is free to all woman of all ages 8-80+.The Class is taught by Connie A., one of our senior members with 15+ years experience in Aikido.This is not an Aikido class and no prior martial arts experience is necessary. All are welcome regardless of fitness level.

Kyu testing results!

We had our largest kyu testing in quite awhile and the results are in!

Congratulations to our newest 6th kyu aikidoka: Bob, Tim, Amber and Nicole.

We also had Bill and Justin test for 4th kyu and as they say in Japan, "やった！

To everyone that's going to test in the future, がんばって ください！

やった - You did it!

がんばって ください - Please keep trying

日本人　ジョン

Japan   Jon

Congratulations to our newest yellow belts.

Congratulations to our newest yellow belts! They just finished our INTRODUCTION TO AIKIDO course.

Check out pictures from the test.

ASU’s quarterly YUDANSHA TRAINING SESSION

ASU’s quarterly YUDANSHA TRAINING SESSION will be held at Aikido of Modesto on December 7, 2008.

Details.

A SEMINAR WITH SUNNY SKYS SENSEI

Saturday, October 4, 2008 - seminar with Sunny Skys Sensei. Details are here

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WEAPONS SEMINAR 2008

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WEAPONS SEMINAR 2008 was a success!!!

Pictures are posted here.