Aikido Institute Davis

Frog hopping from a full squat helps young Aikido students learn to move from their center.

Children practice the tenkan turn, a foundtion of Aikido, with an added twist: hopping over a "jo" (short staff).

Our new kids classes started this week! Classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in front of our dojo, with face masks and social distancing. The program is open to kids ages 8 to 12. Come learn the basics of aikido and have fun! Sign up at https://aikidoinstitutedavis.sites.zenplanner.com/sign-up-n

Explore the depths of Aikido waza in a new video, "Aiki Ken Suburi," by Hoa Newens Shihan. The first volume of our new Aikido Essence Series, this online video is intended for experienced students who already possess a basic technical proficiency of ken suburi techniques. To encourage practice of suburi during this shelter-in-place time, we are offering a 50% discount through the month of January 2021; use code PAN50. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/aikikensuburi

Congratulations to Olive on her recent promotion to 5th kyuu!

Here's a video of Hannah's shodan exam, conducted at Aikido Institute Davis on Aug. 29, 2020, with special precautions due to the pandemic. This was one of two dan (black belt) exams this day. In recent months, AID classes have been socially distanced, with the only partner practice focused on weapons. To prepare for these tests, both candidates and two ukes formed a "social bubble" -- training together intensively and in isolation after all four tested negative for coronavirus. During the exam, only those four aikidoka participated, with Hoa Newens Shihan officiating and just one other masked person present in the dojo to take photos from a distance. Other dojo members, family and friends watched via video conferencing.

Start off the New Year with Kangeiko (mid-winter training). Led by Shidoin Martin Dubcovsky, this free Jan. 25 - Feb. 3 morning training (6-7 a.m. Pacific Standard Time) will cover Bukiwaza and Tanren. Familiarity with Ken and Jo Suburi required. Participants who complete all 10 Zoom sessions will receive a certificate and T-shirt. To register, email [email protected] by Jan 10.

Here's a video of Martin's fourth dan exam, conducted at Aikido Institute Davis on Aug. 29, 2020, with special precautions due to the pandemic. This was one of two dan (black belt) exams this day. In recent months, AID classes have been socially distanced, with the only partner practice focused on weapons. To prepare for these tests, both candidates and two ukes formed a "social bubble" -- training together intensively and in isolation after all four tested negative for coronavirus. During the exam, only those four aikidoka participated, with Hoa Newens Shihan officiating and just one other masked person present in the dojo to take photos from a distance. Other dojo members, family and friends watched via video conferencing.

What could daydreams of a garden figurine teach us? Hoa Newens Shihan shares some insights in a poem, "Lessons from the Perched Buddha." https://aikidodavis.com/blog/lessons-from-the-perched-buddha

Wise words from Doshu-Sensei

We had a special dan exam yesterday with Martin Dubcovsky and Hannah Miller successfully promoting to their new ranks -- Martin to yondan and Hannah to shodan. Training for, and taking, dan exams are challenging enough tasks under ordinary circumstances, let alone during a pandemic. To prepare, Martin and Hannah overcame social distancing restrictions with the help of Geoff Evans and Grace Powell of Aikido Institute Bolinas, training together in Bolinas for a week after all four tested negative for coronavirus. For the exam, the two candidates and their ukes took to the mat, while dojo members, friends and family watched via Zoom video. Congratulations to Martin and Hannah, and their ukes, for the successful results of their hard work!

We are canceling this seminar due to unhealthy air quality expected on Saturday. We hope to reschedule to a date in the fall.

Stretching can help us to power down or up to engage more efficiently with life. In a new blog post, Hoa Newens Shihan shares 10 principles of stretching that foster mobility and health. https://aikidodavis.com/bl/stretching-for-health-and-beyond