Well done to Kahurangi who was the top trainer for August. The records for the few months have also been updated - congratulations to James (July), Yvonne (June), and Kahu (May).

We're getting close to October, which is the next chance to beat Ben Hayward's record of 57 classes in one month. There are already rumours that one person is keen (and that at least one has been told by his wife he isn't allowed!)

We are now just over a week into this years’ month long practice with MASUDA SHIHAN. Masuda Shihan is an 8th dan Tokyo Aikido World Headquarters instructor and now one of the most senior Shihan still actively teaching around the world. We are very lucky to have him here. Around an average of 30 people per class have trained 3 times a week and enjoyed his instruction.

Masuda Shihan emphasises aspects such as:

• relaxing and natural movement
• avoid clashing with your uke
• correct sabaki – being in the right place to execute techniques

We have our first Aikido Open Day for 2008:

You will find the dojo at the corner of Clyde Road and Morley Street, Burnside, Christchurch.

The Open Day will consist of a short demonstration plus a chance to come along and "Have-a-Go" - learn your first aikido technique. Everyone is welcome!

Garry Crooks got the top class count for November (as well as October): 28 classes. Congratulations on the great yondan grading too!

We have a large number of grading video clips and photos. Thanks to everyone who took some snaps and to Warren for coordinating the video - we managed to record almost everyone's jiyu waza.

The photos for the kids and seniors gradings are now in the gallery.

Below are the video clips from the 2007 end of year grading. If they don't fit fit your computer screen then try our youtube user page instead, all our video clips are there. The youtube link is also in the highlights menu, in the navigation to the left.

The full results from the seniors and kids gradings are below.

Congratulations to every one who graded this past weekend.

A lot of time and effort goes into organising a successful grading, our appreciation goes out to:

• Takase Shihan for officiating the weekend and taking the Saturday seminar
• Andrew and Irene Williamson for organising everything
• All the instructors that got us ready
• All the uke's that helped us look good
• Our families who let us train - including the mum's and dad's that get the kids to classes!

We have a short clip of Gary's yondan (4th black belt) grading ready to view - handling three attackers where many of us struggle with one - see below.

A busy weekend... good luck to everyone that's grading!

• End of year seminar - Saturday 24 November from 11am until 5pm at the Pages Road dojo
• End of year gradings - Saturday 25 November at the Burnside dojo
  • Kids from 9.30am until lunch time - dojo will be open from 9am, be ready by 9.20am
  • Adults from 1.30pm until 5pm

Two interesting finds this week related to gradings:

1. Video clips from Aaron McConnell's yondan grading in Japan - thanks to Logan for bringing these back. We have jiyu waza and randori clips - see these below. A big congratulations to Aaron from your friends in New Zealand.
2. A new photo gallery from the 2005 end-of-year grading - thanks to Paul McKeown for these. They are a fun look at the past, you might spot some familiar faces before their hakamas, brown belts, and wrinkles.