Welcome to South Austin Aikido

Beginning in July, we will have an additional 30 minutes on Thursday and Sunday (see schedule below).  We have many new students and additional time will provide the necessary focus as they begin their Aikido training.  Senior students will also attend these classes to help with the newer students, while refining their understanding of basic principles at the same time.

The first class with the new schedule will be on Sunday, July 3rd, 2005.  Come check it out.....

This is the first time we have had this award at Hill Country Aikido, but anytime someone trains more days in our dojo than Jay Sensei, an award is certainly in order.  It has been six months since we started the new year, but it took a little time to decide on the appropriate award. 

Brian trained 148 days at Hill Country Aikido during 2004, with Jay Sensei coming in a distant second with 143 days.  For his consistent training, Brian received a new hakama from Bujin design.  Brian sure looks sharp in his new hakama.... 

Of course next year is wide open since Brian will be away for 10 days at summer camp in DC.  Congratulations to Brian for his training effort and setting a good example for the rest of us to follow.

Leslie Sensei celebrated her birthday this past week and was treated to Hill Country Aikido's tradition of birthday rolls.  Even though it has been a little while since her twenty hours per week training at Hombu Dojo, she can certainly still roll. 

We did not have many beginners present for the birthday rolls, leading to the fast pace from the many energetic senior students.  Before we knew it Leslie Sensei completed her 100 rolls, red faced and smiling all the way.  Happy Birthday Leslie Sensei!!

The Alamo City Aikido group sponsored a special intensive training session, with ten of us from Hill Country Aikido traveling to San Antonio to see what Craig Sensei and Mike Sensei had in store for us.  This included Tommy, Brian, Brenda, Todd, Evan, Ross, Trevor, Pamela, Chad and Jay Sensei.

On Sunday June 5, 2005 we had four tests.  Whew!!  That was a lot to keep up with at one time.  Luar Martinez tested for Rokyu, Mark McDonald tested for Gokyu, Brian Kammerer tested for Sankyu and Tom Giebink tested for Nikyu. 

• Luar looked like he was having fun, which is really the way tests should be.  He displayed a lot of good aikido principles for a rokyu test. 

• Mark had the most amazing randori by switching to hamni handachi for about six throws during the exercise.  Are you sure this was a Gokyu test?  Mark also displayed a lot of improvement from his previous test, by relaxing his movement and overall posture. 

• Brian was simply awesome, with beautiful posture and decisive but unforced movement.  His randori displayed a wonderful use of the mat space and flowing movement. 

• Tom Giebink displayed a lot of growth in his aikido since his last test as well, which shows a lot of dedicated training over the past year. 

Congratulations to all test candidates on a job well done! Thank you to the many students who provided ukemi for this big test day.  Following the test, a large group descended into Buffet Palace for a bulk feeding; after all, the training motto is "eat, train, eat".   We at least got the last two thirds right….

Click here to see the pictures

WOW.  This is the week for birthday rolls!  First with Chadwick and Tim on Tuesday, followed by Jay sensei and Laurie on Thursday.  All did very well with the high energy nage's who were all happy to help with this Hill Country Aikido tradition.  Congratulations and Happy Birthday to all on their birthday rolls!

Tuesday 5/31/05:  Chadwick did 150 birthday rolls and Tim did 75 birthday rolls.

Thursday 6/2/05:  Jay sensei did 98 birthday rolls and Laurie did 36 birthday rolls.