Welcome to South Austin Aikido

Holiday Schedule

• Tuesday 12/21 and Thursday 12/23 - Normal class schedule

• Sunday 12/26 - No Class

• Tuesday 12/28 and Thursday 12/30 - Normal class schedule

• Saturday 1/1/05 - Special New Year's Day training from1:00PM to 3:00PM.  Come join us and start off the New Year with Aikido training.

• Sunday 1/2/05 - Normal class schedule, followed by painting the walls inside the dojo.

On Saturday several of us traveled to San Antonio for a one day training workshop.  We worked on ukemi, bokken, connection, jo, and randori.  All in all the day was over in a blink of an eye.  The training was a lot of fun, but I certainly felt it the next day.  I slept pretty well following that effort as well. 

Thanks to Todd, Tommy, Alina, Christopher, Chad, Kaye, Mark, and Pamela for making the trip to San Antonio for the day.  We were also joined by several aikidoka from Mission Texas, who drove up for the day as well. 

It amazes me how the special training workshops improve everyone's aikido at an accelerated rate.  Everyone who came was instantly rolling better and taking better ukemi the following day, myself included.  Special thanks to everyone at Alamo City Aikido for hosting this event and inviting us to attend.

Last week Jeanne and Chad took their birthday rolls.  It seams like only a month ago Jeanne started learning to roll and whalla!! She now rolls without effort and without sound.  Way to go Jeanne, all that practice is starting to really show in your aikido.

Chad rolled a lot with many hard falls.  It is funny, but sometime we panic when hard falling, and usually that means we try to make it happen a little too much.  But Chad hung in pretty tough and looked like a pro rolling and falling.  Keep it up and you may get the honored title of "The Fall Guy".  Way to go Chad!

Our friends at Alamo City Aikido in San Antonio will be hosting a seminar in January with Trimmer Sensei, a 30 year student of Mitsugi Saotome Sensei.  Please join our friends for a weekend of training and learning with this insightful and experienced instructor.  All AIkido Dojos and Affiliations are invited.  See Alamo City Aikido's website for more information.

What a day!  We had four tests, which included Pamela Tovar and Tim Schmelter testing for Gokyu, Brian Kammerer testing for Yonkyu and Tommy Kammerer testing for Ikkyu. 

The tests lasted almost an hour and a half and wore me out just watching.  However, a lot of good aikido was displayed by each of the testing candidates.  I was overcome with pride by the carefulness and level of detail displayed during the test. 

Tommy was outstanding, showing incredible receptiveness to each attack and constantly adjusted for each uke, no matter how big or how small.  Pamela and Tim each displayed a complete understanding of not only the required techniques, but also for many which were sprung on them during the test.  Brian showed he understands a lot about aikido, both in movement and in principle, even for one of our youngest aikidoka. 

Since so many were testing, the test candidates got take a lot of ukemi, making the tests extra tiring.  Everyone held up pretty well and gave all they had.  Way to go all test candidates!  I am extremely proud of all who tested, for the way they conducted themselves during the test and for the constant practice each has done in preparation.

Following the test, we all headed down to Buffet Palace, for what would have been known in my younger years as a "bulk feeder".  It was fun to have so many accompany us for dinner to celebrate the testing.  Thanks to everyone who stayed to support the test effort and thanks to all for joining us for dinner.

Click here for kyu test pictures

Chadwick and Wendy Chennault are having their first baby early next year (due mid February).  They are registered at Target and Baby's R Us for all kinds of wonderful baby stuff.  Any and all gifts are welcome.  Please contact Jay Lindholm at 970-2422 if you need any additional info.