MONDAY at Manzanita Village

Aikido and Iaido Class 5:30pm -7:30pm

call (760) 782-9223 for location and directions

TUESDAY in Santa Monica
Iaido Sword - Aiki-Toho Iaido style (All Japan Iaido Federation, Nishio Sensei) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Aikido 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
(Beginners train 8:30-9:30)

THURSDAY in Santa Monica
Young Aikido Warriors (ages 6 to 11) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Beginners Aikido and Iaido 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Advanced Aikido 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Location. Tuesday and Thursdays classes in Santa Monica
2432 # C, Lincoln Blvd.
at Cedar, between Pico and Ocean Park on the West side of the street

For more information call Michele at Manzanita Village 760-782-9223
or on her mobile phone at 310-339-3531

or email aikido@ordinarydharma.org

Support a child in the study of Aikido for a year
$50 month. Several 'at risk' kids from the Venice area and the Warner Springs reservation are being supported to study and train for a year. Would you be willing to support others to join them? Your scholarship donation is tax deductible.

 

Contact Michele Benzamin-Miki Sensei:

Manzanita Village, PO Box 67

Warner Springs CA 92086, USA

at Manzanita Village 760-782-9223

Mobile 310-339-3531

email aikido@ordinarydharma.org

(your donation is tax-deductible)

Aikido Sho Bi Juku Dojo

Like the movement of waves from the Ocean of Aikido, "the way of harmony with life,"

from "Sho" Shoji Nishio Sensei, our lineage teacher,

and "Bi" my fathers family name, which translates as the Natural Way, what is beautiful to see,

flows from the ocean of Aikido, to the generations following, all the way to the shores of this world.

Practice time is condensed into a twice a week period due to my commuting from the San Diego County dojo and retreat center Manzanita Village to the santa Monica dojo. It works out to be a good six-and-a-half hours weekly of training. Please do other forms of conditioning on your own - cardiovascular and stretching.   

Beginners train in the basics of punching and kicking and falling and rolling before learning techniques, to give them a basic foundation to help them perform and understand Aikido movement, before the study of techniques and the study of "Ki."

Weapons. Aiki Toho Iai is an integral part of our Aikido study, and it involves the training in Iaido katas (forms) with a wooden sword (broken), and sparring training "Kumidachi," with a broken and jo (short staff), as well as the use of tanto (knife), as a training tool to understand the empty hand techniques. No need to purchase these things at the beginning of training.

Later, in advancement of training, for those that wish, a katana (Iaido, practice blade), can be used for further study. The katana will help in understanding some of the subtleties of technique and movement, as well as "Ki" development.

Aiki-Toho Iaido Class - An in depth study of weapons. Focusing on a system of katas, with an Iaido sword (practice sword), or starting with bokken (wooden sword), and their applications. Training and sparring with many weapons of different length. This class is open to all martial artists, as well as to Aikido students. It enhances and adds to whatever training style you are coming from in the martial arts world.

Meditation. We meditate at the beginning of class to settle the mind and focus on training and at the end of class to settle the energy and embody what we have learned in training.

Meditation Class. A separate meditation class is offered for further study. This forty-five minute class is offered to those wanting a deeper knowledge of Buddhist Meditation Practices, both Vipassana and Zen, especially as they relate to the martial arts and Aikido. Teachings on compassion and peace will also be explored. This class is also suitable for those who wish to study the principles of Aikido without the physical exertions. There will be a fee for non dojo members. This class is offered to all Aikido and Iaido students at no extra fee, and is to be announced at a future date.

Retreats. We offer retreats and workshops at various locations nation wide and at our retreat center "Manzanita Village," in Warner Springs, CA. in martial arts and meditation and the arts. If you would like to receive a newsletter, call 760-782-9223 and leave your name address and phone number. If you would like to be added to our weekly email list, leave a message at mbm@fivechanges.org

 

1. Loose comfortable clothes until you can get a Gi (white uniform for training in). A gi can be purchased at any martial arts supply stores.
2. Commitment of at least three months to learn the basics. To give yourself a chance at the art.
   If you continue training over three months in Aikido you will also need: A bokken (wooden sword) and a jo (short staff), and tanto (wooden knife). All these weapons can be purchased at most martial arts supply stores.
3. For Iaido training a bokken (wooden sword) and jo staff ( measured from the floor up to your armpit in length), and if you continue training over three months, a kodachi (short wooden sword) and hanbo (half a long staff length stick).

Aikido Ranking - Our Aikido systems start ranking at ninth kyu. Most Aikido dojo's start at sixth kyu. We do this to make sure you have a basic knowledge of punching and kicking and rolling and falling before testing for techniques at seventh kyu level. The ranking of the first two levels comes fast, within two to three months of training time. Then it slows down before seventh kyu according to your ability to comprehend the techniques and time put into training.

Iaido Ranking - The ranking starts at fourth kyu for adults and at fifth kyu for juniors. Juniors training can rank up to fourth kyu with no age requirement, and must be 10 years old to receive third kyu. Juniors must be thirteen years old to receive a junior black belt. The adult black belt starts at age fifteen.

Aikido classes: Monthly training fee $70 (fixed rate)
This includes Iaido classes if you become a member, information below under Iaido class fees

Iaido Class: Monthly training fee $50 (fixed rate)

Monday only:

Aikido and Iaido in Warner Spring

Monthly training fee $50 (fixed rate)

One time matt fee: $10 for visiting students, and beginners, trying out a class

Annual membership dues:

Aikido $25 paid in January
Iaido $30 initial fee, $20 thereafter, paid in January

Aikido: Levels ninth and eighth kyu are more informal testing and there are no fees and certificates.

Fees and certification start at the seventh kyu level.
There is a steady fee of $30 per test all the way up to first kyu.

At Black belt level the fees go up considerably. They involve the Hombu Dojo (headquarters) in Japan.

Iaido: The Aiki-Toho Federation is a Japan based organization. The ranking in most Japanese weapons forms has a faster timeline if the training is consistent. Therefore the fees are considerably higher. A sheet with the ranking and testing requirements will be given to you on joining the federation.

Contact Michele Benzamin-Miki Sensei:

Manzanita Village, PO Box 67

Warner Springs CA 92086, USA

at Manzanita Village 760-782-9223

Mobile 310-339-3531

email aikido@ordinarydharma.or