Saturday, December 19, 2009
Annual Demonstration
Here are a few photos from the day (we have hundreds!)
We're putting together a book of photos of the demonstration so if you have any photos that you would like included please send them to sophie_harle@hotmail.com.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Summer break
Dojo Closed this Monday and Tuesday
Please note there will be no classes on the following dates:
Monday 14th of December 2009 - Dojo Closed (no Children or adult classes)
Tuesday 15th of December 2009 - Dojo Closed (no Children or adult classes)
aigato gozaimasu!
Monday, November 2, 2009
October test Results
The following students have been promoted to:
7th Kyu
Brad Ashlock
Andrew Bowles
Bachir Khoury
Jeff Blanchard
Yvette Blanchard
Nigel Williams
6th Kyu
Arama Mataora Toatoa
Rory Christensen
Masumi Namiki
Shaun Bennett
5th Kyu
Robin Linhart
Patrick Morel-Shields
4th Kyu
Brian Townley
* Certificates and Belts will be issued shortly in class.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
the intensive
The posts are a little out of order so you might want to start at the end and then go up...
This is where we stayed
In seiza before the start of class
and the group, looking very formal!
It was a great weekend away - and we're all eagerly looking forward to next years intensive!
Day two - food
Day two - intensive weekend
In between there was a moment to catch some morning sun
And then heading up the hill for some jo training
The hill was a little tougher and longer than anticipated, but beautiful none the less
Would you mess with these people? I think some of the locals may have been a little worried...
Finally we knew we had arrived at the right spot
And it was time for training
And then a quick rest, some water and a few delicious snacks to keep the energy up
and of course the obligatory group photo!
Day One - Intensive weekend away
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Melbourne Cup Day
The dojo will be closed on Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday the 3rd of November 2009).
Arigato Gozaimasu
Admin
Melbourne Aikido
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Kamidana Information :-)
We do not “pray” to any “gods” in our training, and we are not supplanting any religion with those found in Shinto or any other Japanese philosophy. When students bow to the Kamidana at the beginning and end of a training session, they are displaying respect to the heritage of their art. It is possible that Westerners may have difficulties with the idea of bowing, especially to objects or inanimate things. However, to follow a traditional Way requires an attitude of open-mindedness. Bowing to the Kamidana is not a sign of religious significance or submission; it is a reminder of an obligation voluntarily being taken over.
The small shrine in the school is there because it represents something spiritual, whatever the belief is. Why we bow and which religion we believe in or practice is our own business (your own business). We use the Shinto style Kamidana to remind us of that; that we should train to better ourselves as human beings and not just train to turn ourselves into fighting machines. So what are all those little things on the shelf, and what do they represent? Some Kamidana are different from others. There are a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as they mimic a real Shinto shrine that may exist somewhere in Japan. Common to all Kamidana is the centerpiece - a shrine (Jinja). This is traditionally made from Japanese Cypress wood, called “Hinoki”. This type of wood comes from a special place in Japan, and is known for it’s pure and elegant texture and color. Since the shrine represents the heart of family, or heritage of the martial art, it should be displayed on a shelf in a clean place - 5 to 6 feet high on the north wall (or west if north is not suitable) in a bright room.
The following are items you will usually see on a Kamidana: Shinkyo - This is the mirror that is on the stand. It represents a place for the deity to reside in an actual Shinto shrine. In martial arts, we see that the qualities that are represented on the shrine are actually a reflection of those found within ourselves. Shingu - This is a set of porcelain offering dishes and vases that are usually white. Shimenawa - This rope made from rice straw is used to mark the boundary between the sacred and the profane. It keeps impurities out and purifies the space within. The paper thunderbolts hanging from the Shimenawa are called “Shide”, and are used to signify a mark of the Kami. Usually this rope hangs from the Kamidana or the actual Jinja itself.
•Sakaki Date - These are vases that hold leaves from the Sakaki tree, an indigenous Evergreen in Japan. They are symbolic of the presence of nature, and represent our ties to it.
• Mizutama - This is a small round vessel that contains fresh water, an offering to the deity.
• Tokkuri - These are small covered bottles filled with O-miki, a ritually purified Sake (rice wine).
• Sanpo - This is a small offering plate, made of wood. The Shingu set sits on this tray. Sometimes this is used,
sometimes it is not.
• Kagaribi - This is a candle holder, and there will generally be either 3, 5, 7 or 9 of these placed in front of the Jinja
and Sanpo.
• Sara - These are offering saucers that hold Oshio (salt) and Okome (washed rice).
• Kasuga Toro - These are lanterns, usually constructed of wood. They represent the actual stone lanterns
found at Shinto shrines in Japan.
• Ofuda - This is a good luck charm that is drawn or written by a Shinto priest, and comes from an actual Shinto
shrine in Japan. It is placed inside the Jinja.
• Daruma Ningyo - Generally the person who administrates the Dojo (head instructor) places a personal object on the Kamidana. Oftentimes we will see a small round and red doll, which represents the founder of Zen Buddhism (Daruma). It represents the setting and achieving of one’s goals in Japanese culture. Sometimes you will see only one eye painted on the doll. This means that a goal has been set. When both eyes are drawn in, that means a goal has been achieved. Though Buddhism is a completely different philosophy from the religion of Shinto, the Japanese do not raise issue with these elements sharing the same space as both are widely accepted practices.
The Kamidana can represent, to the martial artist, many important elements. The Sakaki leaves that represent nature also represent life, or something growing. In our training we hope to grow in skills and other areas. The offerings of salt, rice and water can represent the elements needed to sustain life. Just as if our training can help us to protect and sustain our lives and the lives of those around us. And by making an offering, it can symbolize sacrifice or even compromise.
A martial artist is willing to sacrifice time, effort, money, energy, etc. in order to gain the knowledge taught inside the school. The fire from the candles can represent the light we give to the world of darkness. The Sake bottles and water bottle can also represent the pure and impure entities that exist within ourselves. By recognizing that the world (and humans) are made up of pure and impure, we can work towards striking a balance in our lives. All of the qualities reside in the reflection we see when we look into the mirror that sits on the shrine. So in a way, the Kamidana can represent a reflection of our true selves.
(from http://www.seirindojo.com/)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Osouji
Here go the mats...
And then the long wait, while the lights are dusted, walls washed, floor vaccumed, fish brushed ...
Clearing away a year of dust and sweat, before putting everything back into place. Giving us a fresh, clean dojo, ready for another year of training.
Thank you for giving up your Saturday for the dojo, it was wonderful to see so many members helping out and being part of this great day!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Test Results September 2009
Results of Test conducted on the 24th of September 2009
The following students have been promoted to:
7th Kyu
Elnaz Sheshgelari
6th Kyu
Victor Leonardo
Sophie Moloney
Andrew Maclennan
Voytek Lapinski
Frank Mesiti
Kate Vigo
3rd Kyu
Daniel Gomez
Keyla Perez
* Certificates and Belts will be issued shortly in class.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hot on the heels of kamae hamster
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Full-Time Students
Sophie Harle
Quang Kwanon Truong
The dojo wishes them luck on this next intense phase of their Aikido Journey.
Gambate Kudasai!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Osoji - The Big Clean
Please bring along yourselves, any useful tools for gardening, climbing, fixing and cleaning and something to share for lunch (salads, sandwiches, susage rolls, muffins, that sort of thing). Sign up at the front desk!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tree (shrub) planting
Thanks to everyone who joined in, dug holes, planted, watered, weeded.
Here are some pics from Mati
Sensei and Q breaking the speed record for number of shrubs planted in an afternoon
Ember giving the weeds a hard time
q, giving nothing away, as always
Me looking crazy in gardening hat
Maddie trying her skills at fair and balanced watering
Alnez choosing plants and adding sunshine to the day
David getting his back into it on some rough ground
Voytek and Rory showing how it's done
Kate, preparing for her gig at the empress... by planting native geraniums
Andrew giving the last of the pegs a seeing to
There were also some smaller folk that came along and did a great job and caught the planting bug!
Max, keeping the smiles coming
Dylan and Pipa, doing some beautiful planting work
Thanks again to everyone (and sorry if you missed out on a photo!). Looking forward to another round of planting next year!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Test Results
The following students have been promoted to:
7th Kyu
Victor Leonardo
Andrew MacLennan
Rory Christensen
Arama Mataora Toatoa
Simon McGowan
Masumi Namiki
6th Kyu
David Lewin
Robin Linhart
Nesidah Jonsin
Grant Ring
3rd Kyu
Sophie Harle
Quang Kwonon Troung
Wilson Lim
* Certificates and Belts will be issued shortly in class.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Queen's birthday long weekend
arigato gozaimasu
Melbourne Aikido
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Test Results May/June 2009
Results of Test conducted on the 30th of May and 1st of June 2009 The following students have been promoted to: 7th Kyu Grant Kenny Ring David Lewin Frank Mesiti Voytek Lapinski Liew Sze Earn 6th Kyu Camilo Martin Villie Jo Galang 4th Kyu Matthijs Smith * Certificates and Belts will be issued shortly in class.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Bushwalk
Thanks to everyone who came along on the bushwalk.
The fabulous navigation of Maddie, Brian and Frank ensured we didn't get lost - despite Voitek's attempts to take us up the "wrong path".
The BBQ was saved by the excellent tong turning abilities of Frank and Brian who managed to make the best of a not particularly sizzling situation.
With Lachlan and Matty both busy taking photos, hopefully there will be more pictures coming soon!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Bushwalk
We will be leaving from the dojo at 9.30, so if you could arrive at 9.15 that would be great as it may take some for us to all get organised.
For the walk - please wear comfortable walking clothes (long pants, thick socks), runners or walking shoes and warm/wet weather clothes. The weather forcast is plesant - partly cloudy Min - 14 and Max - 21, however it's always good to be prepared.
Don't forget a water bottle and some snacks to keep your energy up during the walk. We may also pass a natural spring so bring along a spare bottle if you feel like collecting some mineral water.
The itineary for the day...
Leave Dojo - 9.30
Arrive Daylesford - 11.00
Walk Begins - 11.00 ish
Walk Ends - 2.00
BBQ Lunch - 2.00ish
Leave Daylesford - 4.00ish
Arrive Dojo - 5.30-6.00ish
We will be taking up a mini bus that seats 10 and two cars (car drivers must have an optus mobile as Daylesford does not have good reception). We want to minismise the number of cars going up to simplify logistics and reduce petrol use. We will work out drivers on Sunday morning, but if you're keen to drive please let us know. Directions for getting to Lake Daylesford and a map with meeting point will be provided on the day.
Looking forward to a great day and a lovely walk!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Test results May 2009
Results of Test conducted on the 9th of May 2009
The following students have been promoted to:
Senior
7th Kyu
Robin Linhart
Nez Jonsin
Sophie Moloney
* Certificates and Belts will be issued shortly in class.
Bush walk!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Test results April 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
T-shirts!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Easter break
Friday, March 6, 2009
Test results February 2009
The following students have been promoted to:
7th Kyu
Alex Salpietro
6th Kyu
Rebecca Gosling
4th Kyu
Elly Davis
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Labour Day and Sydney Rd festival
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
From our touring Aikido student, Andrew
Sunday, February 22, 2009
New Website address
Emails can be directed to info@melbourneaikido.com.au
arigato!