University of South Florida Aikido

Dojo Training Update for the Month of January, 2012

Sensei Guy — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:53:58 +0000

Last month, the white belt student who logged the most training hours from our Dojo was Alan Abelson. The black belt student who logged the most training hours was Jon Posnick. Let’s recognize them for their hard efforts! Also in … Continue reading →

Schrader Sensei Awarded Ueshiba Juku Designation

Sensei Guy — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:43:54 +0000

This month, Saotome Sensei awarded one of our instructors – Daryl Schrader Sensei – the Ueshiba Juku designation. Ueshiba Juku translates loosely as “academy of the Founder”; it recognizes that the recipient has shown exceptional loyalty and leadership within the art, to transmitting the teachings of O-Sensei, and is a true inheritor of the teachings of O-Sensei. It is only awarded to very senior Aikido teachers, and rank is no guarantee of award.

This is a very high honor, and declares Schrader Sensei to be one of Saotome Sensei’s successors. Congratulations, we are all very proud!

2012 Training Begins! (Update)

Sensei Guy — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

2012 training has begun, and our new schedule has been set! The new times are: Mondays 715pm-9pm Wednesdays 715pm-9pm Fridays 715pm-9pm Sundays 2-4pm Also, promotion certificates are also in and will be presented to those who tested in December. See … Continue reading →

Dojo News for the Month of November, 2011

Sensei Guy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:32:47 +0000

Last month, the white belt student who logged the most training hours was Michael Frank. The black belt student who logged the most training hours was Carrie Matteoli. The hours of dedicated training these students put in deserve our recognition! Congratulations!

Last month, the following students were promoted: Taylor Busacca (5th kyu), Sean Scank (6th kyu), Alan Abelson (6th kyu), Jonathan Gill (6th kyu), and Warren Bradford (6th kyu).

Finally, in November we also welcomed 11 new members to our dojo. Please welcome Dren Lithear, Jon Guevara, Jake Mowatt, Autumn Boyette, Adam Preston, Richard Wallace, Cortlandt Barnes, Erik De Jesus, John Tetreault, Eric Hoyer, and Lydia Koller!

Announcement: November Schedule and Testing

Sensei Guy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:10:37 +0000

Thanksgiving holiday season is upon us, and this year the USF Campus Rec facility has a limited schedule which means changes for our training schedule.

Monday, Nov 21: Normal class. Practice tests.

Wednesday, Nov 23: Facility closed; no classes but pay attention to Facebook as we may be organizing a carpool to another dojo.

Saturday, Nov 26: Closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. Chances are, however, there will be class both Saturday and Sunday at the Largo dojo.

Monday, Nov 28: The facility is open, but our regular room (room 101) is unavailable. We are looking into other room options, stay tuned!

Wednesday, Nov 30: Testing! There will be a class before testing. Please come even if you aren’t testing yourself!

Dojo Training Update for the Month of October, 2011

Sensei Guy — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:23:04 +0000

In October, the white belt students who logged the most training hours were Michael Frank and Sean Scank (his second month at the top!). The belt belt students who logged the most training hours were Jon Posnick and Barry Engh. The hours of dedicated training these students put in deserve our recognition! Congratulations!

Finally, in October we also welcomed 1 new member to our dojo. Please welcome John Tetreault!

Kotegaeshi Cartwheel Ukemi

Sensei Guy — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:58:51 +0000

One of our students, Maurice Uchegbu, inventing his own particular ukemi for kotegaeshi (Matt Stephen, nage). This clip was taken during regular instruction at the USF Aikido, September 21 2010 (usfaikido.com)

Dojo Training Update for the Month of September, 2011

Sensei Guy — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:30:27 +0000

Last month, the white belt student who logged the most training hours was Sean Scank. The belt belt student who logged the most training hours was Meredith Abel. The hours of dedicated training these students put in deserve our recognition! Congratulations!

In September we also welcomed 14 new members to our dojo. Please welcome Michael Frank, Dren Lithear, Jon Guevara, Sean Scank, Alan Abelson, Jake Mowatt, Autumn Boyette, Adam Preston, Richard Wallace, Cortlandt Barnes, Jonathan Gill, Marcelino L. Rodriguez, Erik De Jesus, and Warren Bradford!

ASU Yudansha Exam Preparation Handbook

Sensei Guy — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:26:32 +0000

In theory, regular practice of Aikido under a qualified instructor will prepare a student to pass their black belt test and to handle situations of stress, aggression and violence. However, we are often nervous when test time approaches, as subconsciously we don’t have confidence that normal keiko is sufficient preparation for the above-normal stress and performance associated with testing. We’ve all heard stories about students who have trained for a long time but had bad tests or even failed.

Psychology teaches us that humans perform best when provided clear and consistent goals and expectations, and then are given the tools to achieve them. This handbook was assembled to help bridge the gap between testing expectation and preparation by sharing the best advice of some of ASU’s top instructors.

Sharing this handbook and linking to this page are encouraged; please, however, link to the page and not directly to the handbook. While the handbook is worded and focused foremost for members of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba, it’s our hope that the concepts and advice will be useful for Aikido students regardless of their affiliation or style.

Labor Day Keiko

Sensei Guy — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:10:53 +0000

The USF Campus Rec Center will be open, and we will be holding class on Labor Day evening, Monday September 5. If you’re around, we’ll see you on the mat!