Seasons Greetings Eiryukan Fans. Did you receive a certificate of excellence at the party? Sensei really wanted to give everyone an award for their dedication and efforts this year. The standard of Aikido has been out of this world in 2011 and it was a tough job deciding who stood out from the crowd. As you can see from the photo even the white belts at the front are showing incredible focus and clearly have their eyes on black belts in the near future. This was a special opporunity to practice Aikido, have a few snacks and meet new friends from 8 different Lincoln classes. It was great to see so many getting on well and sharing their skills. For the first time junior members had the opportunity to see the Monson Street Dojo up close, again kindly loaned to us by Paul Chambers Sensei.
All belt grades stood up in front of everyone and demonstrated moves, keen eyed seniors voted for the best of the bunch and top players got an energising chocolate christmas goodie. A selection of the senior students showed free style techniques and player of the year, Louis Sanguy even put Sensei through his paces throwing him round the dojo. Kelly took some really refreshing Aikido pictures which you can view on Eiryukan Facebook, feel free to tag yourself and show the world your super Aikido. Well done everyone, keep practicing your kamae/stance over the  holidays and come back fighting fit in the new year. We have lots of exciting things coming up in 2012, so stay tuned and Merry Christmas.

It was with great pleasure that Eiryukan hosted a mini seminar for two visiting Aikido Martial arts clubs on Saturday. The Shoshinkan from Nottingham and the Goryukan from Stafford, both Yoshinkan style schools. The setting was the excellent Monson Street Dojo, home of Lincoln Aikido Club run by Sensei Paul Chambers. A big thank you to him for allowing us to use the venue for the afternoon.

Under the watchful eye of O’ Sensei at the kamizawa, all participants trained together in a peaceful yet energised spirit. It was refreshing to experience the different characteristics and traits of all individuals and as mentioned by the instructors present, Jay Savery Sensei and Tadashi Narita Sensei, the effort to create Yoshinkan form was true.

Eiryukan have previously travelled to Goryukan to train and we look forward to visiting the Shoshinkan in the near future. A big thank you to all for attending and training with great spirit. Osu!

Hearty congratulations go to Julie for making 5th Kyu grade last Wednesday night at The Ark, Hykeham.  I happily presented her with her Yoshinkan Certification and red belt last night at The Boiler House.  Julie often says that students who find martial arts the hardest, making the most effort to achieve, last the longest and get the most from it.  I have observed her continued dedication with ups and downs over the previous few months and she has pushed on with great spirit through the highs and the lows.  A definite example of excellence.  Its understandably easy to allow petty things to get in the way or give up when the going gets tough, and thats why only those special few can enjoy Aikido to its full.  He who climbs the highest peaks gets the best view or in this case she :)

Julie and Sensei Neville

At the end of the day, how fast one progresses in terms of grades is not so important, rather that the level and quality of the knowledge is raised. An increase in awareness of the level of precision. An understanding of where we are now.  If we know where we are we will never be lost.  So look round your rooms and see where you are first.  Maybe thats good maybe we feel the need to do something else, or more importantly try a different way of what we do.

Be aware in whatever you do this month!

For all you Aikido Fans, your first step in becoming a black belt is learning how to tie one :)  Here’s our world famous clip for you to learn from.  Look forward to seeing your belt looking crisp and smart.

Have you ever wondered what its like to study alongside a master martial artist in Japan? I fell in love with Aikido by seeing the power, grace and style of Master Ando’s Aikido in Japan at first hand. Eiryukan is now proud to offer his fantstic instructional DVD range here in Lincoln giving you the next best thing. The DVDs offer a close up insight into all of Aikidos basic movements and techniques which you can watch, freeze frame and revisit as often as you like. They offer a fantastic value for money opportunity to train along side Sensei, minus the cost of travelling to Tokyo.  You can take them home for the same price as on Ryu dojo website, without the shipping costs. I’ll be bringing them along to class for you to view over the next few weeks. I can guarantee your Aikido skills will improve rapidly once you have seen this superb demonstration of Aikido.

See Aikido in its finest form, an amazing guide which will last a life time.

Wednesday 10th, is not at The Ark, moves to North Kesteven Sports Centre Main Hall.  Come and see us and have some Aikido fun :)

Neil and Sensei Neville

A big congratulations to Neil, after a good years Aikido training he made 6th Kyu grade on Monday nights class at The Boiler House, Birchwood. It is such a pleasure to see adults get to grips with the Aikido syllabus and pick up a good deal of Japanese language at the same time. Neil’s martial background comes from Tae Kwon Do, but after a time off the mat decided to have a change of emphasis into Aikido. Its been a fun yet challenging journey and from Neils feedback a very rewarding one. There is so much out there to learn its a wonderful thing when one continues to study.

Self-education makes great men.

Bruce Lee

I hope that all Eiryukan students will get chance to train with him someday either here in the UK, or in Japan.

We will soon be stocking Ando Shihans DVD instruction range, so you can grab an insight into his incredible Aikido from the comfort of your own home.

In the meantime have a look at an insightful news clip from Moscow TV on Senseis vist to Russia.