Two Rock Aikido

On Wednesday June 2nd, Two Rock Aikido held our first exam since the beginning of Covid in early 2020. Congratulations to our own Merle McKinley on her Nidan. It was a joyous and celebratory event for the whole dojo. A few photos below.

As I sit here this evening, overlooking green grass & hills on the eve of my Nidan, feeling into who I have become, a few things come to mind: 1) I have discovered joy in my training and as such, I dedicate this test to Anno Sensei, 2) to all the ukes past, present & future. The word uke has new meaning, 3) I surrender to a power much great than me and trust I will remember all my variations. With love and deep appreciation.

Back home in the dojo.

This past week at Two Rock Aikido, Richard Sensei taught the last class in our outdoor dojo where we have trained for the past year. This week, our fully vaccinated aikido community heads back into the dojo, training still with masks and open windows/doors. We are grateful all around.

The Dan Certificates have arrived for Izzy Arkin,(Nidan) and Owen Lawyer, (Nidan) of Ukiah Aikido. They came down to Two Rock with Carol Marrington Sensei to train and receive them on Tuesday, April 13th. Congratulations to you both!

Richard Sensei was featured yesterday on the Burwell online sessions, hosted by Quentin Cooke Sensei. You can see the full recording of their rich conversation here.

It’s a busy week in terms of online offerings this week. Tonight you can join me in the Centering and Movement with Mindfulness class that I guide. These sessi...ons start at 19:30 GMT and last for 40 minutes. We start with a centering exercise, and on this session, I want to look at what we mean by energy/ki and do some exercises that might help us feel it and use it. On Wednesday, I have been asked to give a guest session for my friend, Charles Harris (https://happyaikido.com). These sessions start at 17.50pm 18.50pm GMT I intend to work with what is an appropriate response when attacked (we will look at what that might mean) with ikkyo as a baseline technique to explore it. Message Charles or me for Zoom details. On Thursday, in the Burwell online session, I am delighted to be hosting Richard Strozzi-Heckler, (7th Dan) dojo cho at Two Rock Aikido in Petaluma California, founder of The Strozzi Institute (https://strozziinstitute.com/about-2/), which has worked with companies like, Microsoft and NASA, and author of a good few books. A lovely man who I have had the pleasure of working with on a few occasions and someone who has done a huge amount to take what aikido gave him, and use it in the world at large. This session starts at 19:00GMT and will run for between 60 to 90 minutes. If you need zoom details for the first and third session then message me and even if you attended in the past please bear in mind that I have had to start using a password. We have built up a truly international community with huge experience and everyone has the opportunity to add their voice. All are welcome and these sessions are offered on a ‘no cost’ basis.

Congratulations to our own Craig O'Connor, who has been promoted to the rank of Godan by Hombu Dojo Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. We are so proud, and deeply inspired by your commitment to Aikido and to our dojo community.

Richard Sensei's essay, "Make the Blend, Not War" is featured in the newly published anthology "The Corona Transmissions: Alternatives for Engaging with COVID-19 - from the Physical to the Metaphysical." All royalties for the book go to the Land Peace Foundation, serving First Nations tribes in Maine. It can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Corona-Transmiss//ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1

Happy New Year from Two Rock Aikido! Some photos from our annual New Year's Eve Training.

A new update from Aikido Ethiopia on the dojo currently being constructed in Hawassa, Ethiopia and its impact on the community. Contribute if you can, and share the post to help spread the word.

Late November training in our outdoor dojo with, as Richard Sensei says, the night sky, the trees, the bird song, and whatever the mystery offers us.

Richard Sensei's article below, "Through the Breath and Body: Aikido" was published in Inquiring Mind when it was a print journal back in 1994. They have now moved their articles online, and his piece is accessible to all.