Shudokan Black Belt Academy

Curriculum week

The lesson plans this week focus on curriculum practice in preparation for tagging and belt promotions next week. Make sure you hit 8 black tags to enable you to test next week. Take catch up classes if you need to just make sure you hit 8 black tags.

Attendance

Great attendance last week, we had the second busiest week ever. Missing a record by just 5 people. Let’s see if we can make this week the best ever.

Getting out of a habit

It takes just two weeks to get out of a good habit, and can take as long as two months to get into a good one. More often than not this is how it happens. You miss a week or so training for a legitimate reason. After two weeks off we find it easier to look for an excuse than to attend. We dress the excuse up as a legitimate reason to absolve ourselves from not meeting our training objective. At this point you will have had some communication from the dojo and you may be feeling a little guilty. Easier to do nothing about it than to address the matter. By now a month or so has gone by, we are still sending communications out but they go unanswered. The longer this goes on the harder it will be to return, maybe the guilt grows and even turns to embarrassment. Now hope is all but lost.

The alternative…… Just walk through the door. We will always be delighted to see you no matter how long you have had off. By the time you finish your lesson you will be pleased that you came.

People of accomplishment don’t make excuses, they are honest with themselves and they get things done. A mush better way to be.

Outdoor Self Defence Training 

Friday 22nd Oct meet at the dojo for around 6.15. We will make our way to the Garths Gym area for the outdoor self defence seminar. Wear appropriate clothing; it will go ahead regardless of the weather. This is a very valuable seminar that shows things in a very different light, it’s nothing like practicing in the dojo. A curriculum class will be available in the dojo for those who don’t want to go outdoors.

Social event

Friday 22nd Oct after the self defence training we will make our way to the Chestnut Pub for a social.

Sensei Mustard Seminar

To secure your place on this seminar you need to pay the £10.00 fee. I only have 17 fees paid although I have 25 names. The first 30 people to pay the fee will get a place, so 13 places left on a first pay first served basis. Next year Mustard Sensei is running a special course for only 20 people and the cost is £200.00 per head. I am giving this to you for £10.00 so don’t waste this opportunity.

Quote

“The very fact that you fear something is solid evidence that it’s not happening.”

Gavin De Becker

OSU

See you on the mat

Sensei Ken

Shudokan Black Belt Academy - Aikido Nottingham

Lewis has been training with us for over 3 years. He and his dad talk to us about his training.

Thank you Lewis.

Osu

Sensei Ken

Shudokan Black Belt Academy - Aikido Nottingham

The Shudokan Black Belt Academy Nottingham, the Honbu Dojo for the Shudokan Institute of Aikido international. A world class Aikido school where we strive to be the very best we can be, both on and off the mat. Positive messages are in abundance, the cornerstone of our philosophy is NEVER EVER QUIT. Just keep going, do not be swayed, do not stray from the path. Dare great things and strive towards them with courage and resolve.

Then I saw this video.

What can I say. When you think the road is hard. When your problems are overwhelming you, reflect on this.

Osu

Sensei Ken

I was attacked in my bed when I was 17 as I lay asleep. I escaped without major harm, but a few months later, I took up martial arts.

At 17 I had had no training in self defence.  Now, at 26 I’m learning Aikido techniques and positive attitudes in case it ever happens again. 

So what happens when you have no weapons, no training, nothing but yourself to keep you alive?

I’ll tell you for sure that at that moment when someone grabs your neck with bad intention, you are not thinking, “Lets talk about this rationally” or “how am I going to get my arm around this bit to get to this bit”. Thinking is human, but when you are fighting for your life, you don’t think, you are no longer human. You are a creature who wants to live. 

 You lose all concept of time or space. Those of you who have been in car crashes or near misses may understand.

 For me, those minutes when I was fighting, seemed like hours.  All thoughts were lost.  Only a feeling remained, and that was, “stay alive”. Whatever it takes stay alive. I became like an animal. I know what it is like to let go of all the structure and just be.  For those moments I was a taloned, clawed, fanged creature with wide eyes and occasionally enough breath in my lungs to scream in his ear, a war cry, most animals roar when they fight, I roared.

I kicked, bit, scratched, wriggled, and never stayed still, because staying still meant death.  I found strength from somewhere else.  It’s a strength I had never felt before but which has stayed with me ever since. When I’m thousands of miles from home or when I’m cycling up a big hill, or on my 2000th sword cut, this strength is what keeps me going.  If you think you have nothing left, if you think you are exhausted, think again.  You are stronger than you know.

The fight paid off and my attacker fled. After the struggle I was left with some physical reminders, blood blisters on my neck, bruises, scratches, physical exhaustion. Fortunately, nothing else. Mentally though, I was terrified. 

It’s why wild rabbits run when you get near them, it’s why birds fly when you approach.

But just in case a day comes when I can’t fly or run from a conflict, I’m kitting myself out with a suit of aikido armour, so I can walk this earth with the calm of a panther who knows its own strength.

Shudokan Aikido teaches personal safety based on actual experience and real application, theory is just not enough. www.shudokan.co.uk

Hello everyone.

It has come to the end of my visit to Nottingham Honbu dojo as an Aikido student from the Preston dojo. I would like to thank Sensei Ken and all the aikido students who have made my time here  positive and enjoyable . I go back to Preston dojo with the knowledge gained from training both on and off the mat. I would also like to thank sensei Mick for giving me the opportunity to gain a great experience to add to my aikido journey.

Thanks again to all at Nottingham and look forward to seeing you at Summer School.

Jayne

A big welcome to Jayne from the Preston school who is spending a few days with us to see how a real school is run Emily has taken a trip back in time and gone to Preston. Normal service will be resumed by Wednesday

Hi All

Summer School is upon us in just over two weeks, we could do with some help laying the mats on 29th Jul - Thursday evening.

If you can help please give your name to Sensei Hezie or Jo

Osu

Sensei Ken

Next week is individual curriculum content in preperation for promotions week commencing 19th Jul, the week commencing 26 Jul will also be promotions so we have 2 weeks of testing prior to summer school. Make sure you have 8 tags and are good to go.

Not too late to book for summer school. This event is appropriate for all levels so dont be shy.

Also stiil looking for more names for the BBQ 17 Jul at the dojo after training friends family all welcome.

Osu

Sensei Ken

Our Guest was very impressed with the dojo this week-end, the only comment he made was that we could communicate more effectively using facebook and twitter, this would also enhance our presence on the internet. Please like us on facebook at The Shudokan Black Belt Academy and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/shudokanaikido

The theme for this week continues with one technique all approaches.

Monday - Kotegaeshi

Tuesday - Hijiate /Hijishimae

Wednesday - Yonkajo

Thursday - Shomen/Sokumen Iriminage

Friday - Students Choice

Lets us know what you would like to focus on Friday

Osu

see you on the mat

Sensei Ken