Introduction
Traditional Aikido of Colorado Springs is a small Aikido dojo located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We opened in May 2018. We exclusively teach Iwama-Style Aikido, as taught by Morihiro Saito Shihan. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about our dojo and the style of Aikido we teach, can be found here. Visitors and observers are always welcome! We are the only Aikido dojo in the Colorado Springs region teaching Iwama-Style Aikido and Iwama Bukiwaza (weapons). This post documents one of our on-going “Continuing Education” efforts that occur throughout the year. Our affiliation with both the California Aikido Association provides us with regular training opportunities. Our affiliation also provides access to a very large Aikido family. This relationship directly benefits our students. This is one of the many advantages of studying at a dojo that is affiliated with a larger organization.
I had an opportunity to attend the first CAA Division 1 Weapons Intensive on 24-25 August 2019. Patricia Hendricks Sensei planned to teach two very full days covering most of the basic Iwama weapons curriculum. I arrived in San Leandro late Friday afternoon and checked in to my AirBnB. The flight from Denver to San Francisco wasn’t horrible. Southwest actually does a pretty good job. The long travel day wore me out, though. I focused on getting dinner and getting to bed early. The AirBnB I’d reserved was less than 0.5 mile from the Aikido of San Leandro dojo. I was looking forward to a walking weekend!
Saturday
My alarm went off at 5 AM. I sorted out some coffee, got a quick shower, and went to “Main Street Bagels” for breakfast. If you’re ever attending a seminar at Aikido of San Leandro, their bagels are fantastic. They’re about a block from the dojo. Behind the restaurant is a little patio area where you can eat a quiet breakfast and enjoy San Leandro waking up. Their coffee isn’t too bad either.
Class began about 10 AM. We carpooled over to Chabot Park. On Saturday, Hendricks Sensei started with the five basic Kumitachi (Paired Aiki-Ken practice). After the kumitachi, we worked on a few Kumi-jo. We worked on Ken-Tai-Jo in the afternoon, and based on my limited notes, we covered up to about the 3rd Ken-Tai-Jo by the time we finished on Saturday.
On Saturday morning we had a visitor. A medium sized rattlesnake wandered through where we were practicing. He worked his way along the edge of our practice space for about 30 minutes. He obviously had more important things to do than hang out with us.
We drove back to the dojo and hung around for a bit, before I walked back to my AirBnB for a deeply satisfying shower, followed by a short nap. We all went over to Sensei’s house for dinner and a movie.
Sunday
I arrived at the dojo around 9:15. Class started around 10 AM. We carpooled over to Chabot Park , and practiced until around 1 PM, finishing up the Ken-Tai-Jo. Hendricks Sensei introduced two additional Ken-Tai-Jo that she’s adding to the Bukiwaza curriculum.
We headed back to the dojo around 1:30 PM, and set up for a Nidan test. I can’t yet find an official announcement of the test, or any video online, so I’ll leave it to others to make the first online announcement about his test. The test was fantastic. I had the opportunity take ukemi for him, and his technique was solid. It’s always nice to be uke!
The afternoon ended around 5:30 or so, after a small pot-luck lunch. I walked back to my AirBnB. I grabbed another shower and short nap, and did some reading while waiting for a ride over to Sensei’s house for dinner again.
Some End Notes…
Sensei mentioned a few interesting things over the weekend, and emphasized a few additional things. Foremost in my mind is that Sensei emphasized “penetration” with weapons. This applies, I believe, to all attacks. This is a point that I brought home to my students. Moreover, I definitely have changes to make to almost all of the Bukiwaza I practice (and teach). Over the next few months Liz and I are going to be getting ready for her Shodan test. This is a great opportunity for both of us to tune up our weapons practice!
I had a great time. I’m very glad that I was able to make it out for this. Hendricks Sensei mentioned, several times, that she was considering making this an annual event. I’d be happy to make this an annual seminar for Liz and I, as well.
