Welcome to South Austin Aikido

On Sunday, we kicked off 2012 with the traditional "throw the Sensei" class. Jay Sensei took ukemi for each of the students as we picked our favorite techniques (and how hard it was to choose just one!) and demonstrated them for the class. Sensei said he needed a nap that afternoon, so I think we all did our jobs!

Jay Sensei closed the class with a quote from O'Sensei to set the theme for our next year of training:

It is my wish for all those who forge themselves through Aikido to wholeheartedly devote themselves to fostering universal love and nurturing the spirit of Aiki within their body and spirits; and to use the budo of the past based on haku [physical effort] as a foundation for releasing the light of kon [soul/higher spirit] within themselves. It is my hope that through persistence and tenacity, those who practice will endeavor to make this a reality by grasping the logic of the universe, purifying their hearts and spirits, reaching a state of mind without conflict, and further developing and spreading this great way of Aikido around the globe to bring about an age of peace.

—Morihei Ueshiba, quoted in Enlightenment Through Aikido, by Kanshu Sunadomari

It was a great way to end a great class, and an inspiring way to start our training for the new year. Thanks to everybody who participated, and we look forward to seeing everybody on the mat in 2012!