Chris Seto-Payne the senior instructor of Brisbane Aikikai earlier this year invited me to teach a seminar at the Brisbane Aikikai Gecko Dojo. This seminar was held on the weekend of 16/17 May and about 30 to 40 students from a number of dojos in the area attended including some from the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Warwick. It was a very enjoyable event with a great bunch of people. The standard of ukemi was high allowing me to teach a range of techniques. It was very interesting to me to see how their aikido has developed.

At part of the International Aikido Federation conference, each country has a chance to give a short demonstration. Andrew and Shane represented New Zealand, and we have been lucky enough to get a copy from the audience perspective, shown below.

We had another great morning sunrise for our dawn training class.

It's always fun to get to the beach early and try something different. It was warm when we arrived, making it easy to enjoy the fresh air, the sand, the waves, and the rising sun.

The dawn trainings classes are always easy going, about an hour of stretching techniques, weapons practice, and some breathing. The class was followed with breakfast, coffee, and chatting in town, before some of us made it into the regular Saturday morning class.

There are some photos below, and more in the gallery.

Andrew, Irene, Shane and Miria visited the International Aikido Federation meeting held in October 2008. See below for some pictures from the events, training, and closing party.

Andrew, Irene, Shane and Miria travelled to the 10th International Aikido Congress in Tanabe, Japan held from October 6 – 12. They were part of a Kiwi contingent led by Takase Shihan and which included several people from New Caledonia (honorary kiwis). The Congress is run by the International Aikido Federation. It is held every 4 years and as the was the 10th Anniversary it was held in the original home town of O Sensei.

During the seminar with Yamashima Shihan we filmed almost all the demonstrations and Logan has kindly burnt the results to a DVD. These are now available at a small charge of $5 each. You can get copies of the DVD from the Burnside Dojo.

The ASC Spring Seminar was held over three days 5 – 7 September. Each year this seminar builds in terms of enjoyment and numbers attending. This year [the 18th anniversary year] we were privileged to be hosting Yamashima Shihan from Tokyo as the guest instructor. Over the 3 days 61 students attended and were treated to Yamashima Sensei’s relaxed, smooth and powerful style. Yamashima Sensei made a point of going around all students and throwing them for virtually every technique and thus every student got to experience “hands on” aikido from him.

Yamashina Sensei arrived in Christchurch, from Japan, on Wednesday morning. Although the seminar starts Friday evening, it didn't take long for him to ask when the aikido training could start! He took Wednesday and Thursday classes at the Burnside dojo - a real treat for the students that could make it.

He took the time to wonder around, making sure everyone had a chance to receive techniques. His movements are simple but subtle. It's odd to end up scrambling for a breakfall, often upside-down, from such small movements.

Andrew Williamson travelled to Singapore 14 - 21 August to carry out a seminar & dan grading for Club Aikido. Club Aikido consists of 7 dojo headed by Koh Nai Sing Sensei & Frankie Leong Sensei.

Approximately 45 people attended the seminar over the weekend and training was held every day at a variety of dojo. Five people graded in the dan gradings.

Each year as part of the Christchurch City Council sponsored Kidsfest, ASC runs several classes to introduce aikido to an ever wider range of children. This year on the 12th, 15th and 16th July we ran three Kidsfest classes on each at Rangiora, Burnside and Linwood Dojos.

The classes were taught by Andrew and Shane but special thanks must be given to the other kids instructors and a number of existing Junior students who came along and helped at these classes. Over the 3 sessons around 55 new children were taught their first aikido class. Hopefully we will see some of them at the regular classes.