Newsletter - September 1989
typed in from the original by Ludovic Tolhurst-Cleaver
It is worth repeating a few notes about licences that were published some
time ago. Licences are valid for one year and give insurance cover during
practice on a member to member basis. The cover gives a capital sum in
the case of an accident causing a permanent disability, or in the event
of you being off work, a weekly sum for up to 26 weeks (not the first
two weeks) for a temporary disability.
The claim must be made quickly within 14 days on a claim form obtained
from me or by ringing 021 625 8080. The form is then passed through Association
to reach the Secretary of the BAB within the 14 day period.
To ensure no problems arise concerning validity of
licences any renewal must be made to your Club Leader before the expiry
of your current licence by paying the fee. He must then transmit this
renewal or a newcomer's application to me by the 25th of the month in
order to be included in a return of licence sales to MAC at the end of
the month.
It is the Aikikai's policy that all members will hold valid licences.
This in my opinion extends to a beginner who should not set foot on the
mat until appropriate fees have been paid.
ANDREW BAIRD
FRIENDSHIP PRACTICE 1989
Crystal Palace - 28 October
Cost £5.00
Start 9.30 - 10.00 am : Finish 4.30 - 5.00 pm
Study all styles of AIKIDO under 18 of the country's top teachers. Each
Association will have a 15 minute time slot.
Your club instructor will have already brought the course to your attention
and will have started collecting the course fee. By the time you read
this an estimate of numbers from our Aikikai will have been submitted.
So hurry as numbers are limited!!
BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD MEETING - JULY 1989
This meeting was hosted by the Ken shin Kai at Portsmouth. Their style
is based on Yoshinkan teachings. I was able to practise with them the
night before the meeting. Whilst I had problems with their basic solo
exercises at the more advanced levels their techniques become closer to
the main stream of traditional AIKIDO we study.
The meeting was well attended and various matters covered:
(a) Coaching Scheme: The third draft of the syllabus covering four
levels of coaching is still under consideration by the Martial Arts
Commission. |
ANDREW BAIRD
The course was quite a memorable occasion in many ways and provided a
week's practice of basic AIKIDO techniques. SAITO SENSEI taught everybody
one word of Japanese, which was DAMI meaning rubbish. Throughout the week
this was heard very often! Stanley Pranin, Editor of AIKI NEWS acted as
interpreter for SENSEI so that all techniques and corrections were explained
both in Japanese and English.
A pattern very quickly emerged as to how we would
practice. First there was TAI-NO-HENKO, basic KOKYU. It was a course in
basics. Included in the week was TAI-JUTSU indoors, KEN SUBURI and AWASE,
JO SUBURI, KUMI-TACHI and KEN-TAI-JO (sword and stick). Although practice
was at basic level, occasionally variations were thrown in, and also KI-NO-NAGARE
(described as 'dance' movements). One of the slightly 'odd' aspects was
that we were not to complete techniques resulting in breakfalls. This
may have been so that concentration would be on the techniques.
There were no surprises in SENSEI'S teaching, but
a few things fell into place in my mind, whereas other things seemed distantly
familiar. It was good to go back to basic (KIHON), in fact I found it
difficult at times to forget the 'normal' way of practising. Many people
had this problem, but it was good to do it together.
On reflection it was a good experience only marred
by the inclusion of extra sessions, at extra cost - especially as one
session referred to 'secret' counter-techniques! What I must say also
is this. It brought home to me the depth and variety of practice in the
Lancashire AIKIKAI. It also demonstrated that MR MUCHA'S instruction is
second to none. I, personally, am grateful for his years of patience and
encouragement, and I feel I have been well-trained. I hope that I can
pass this on to others.
G HARRISON - 2ND DAN
REFLECTIONS ON SAITO COURSE
En route - Trepidation - Will I survive six days of continual AIKIDO practice?
Day 1 Saito is not as big as his photos convey. The tatami is the largest
I have practised on with 250+ aikidoka.
Day 2 Saito is extremely safety conscious, even his BOKKEN had the tip
removed. No BOKKEN was seen on the course with a SUBA on, more control
was required or bruised fingers resulted. What is the Lancs Aikikai view?
Day 3 I am surviving and enjoying it, although my ability to understand
and carry out basic techniques is sorely tested.
Day 4 Glimpses of SAITO'S power are seen when a UKE suddenly hurtles away
from him.
Day 5 Scottish Aikidoka are good company in the evening - Beware!
Day 6 Finish
Survived course, felt full of KI, confidence was boosted due to practising
with all grades and abilities which leads to enthusiasm to practise harder.
Paradox.
I thought that O-SENSEI wished for AIKIDO to be available to all. Why
was extra payment required for extra sessions on the course eg secret
counter techniques or testing to acquire expensive test scrolls? Comment
welcomed from the Editor.
ANDREW DUNHAM - HYDE/HAZEL GROVE CLUBS
EDITOR'S COMMENTS
Please see my comments in the article on Cambridge. I can see no reason
for those extra sessions being included.
1 Without prior warning.
2 For extra money.
Some people today believe that some Japanese are far too commercially-minded
in their teaching of AIKIDO.
Last week someone at the Hyde Lads Club forgot to open up for us. The
practice was therefore switched to my back garden, where four of us practiced
a lot of TAI-SABAKI, and exercise techniques without breakfalls. It was
a good practice even when it got dark, but the lawn needs time to recover!
Next time ............ meditation!
Is there anything happening at your Club? News, information, births, deaths,
marriages - anything!!
ALTRINCHAM CLUB
Our starting time is now 1915 hours on Fridays at Seamons Moss Community
Centre, Oldfield Road. All welcome. Our mat area has now doubled and we
are working towards getting a top sheet and frame. Our advertising campaign
will produce new faces in September. The club's first grading for those
existing members with 40 hours practice will take place in October.
ANDREW BAIRD
When practising AIKIDO with others of less experience
It makes you realise how much you have learned
Until you practise with others who have more experience
Then you realise how little you know
Therefore to gain experience one must practice often.
W SMALLEY - CHORLEY