Please join us as our club hosts the 8th annual Florida Rokudan Seminar. As always, there will be black belt testing, instruction by several of ASU’s most senior instructors, and visitors from across the US!
Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/357520590986141/
Flyer: 2012_6dan_Seminar
| Payment: Full Weekend ($75): | Payment: One day ($50): | Payment: Single Class ($25): |
Last month, the white belt student who logged the most training hours was Andrea Vera. The black belt student who logged the most training hours was Meredith Abel. Good work!
Last month, the following students were promoted: Meredith Abel (nidan), Kenneth Bedeker (4th kyu), Alan Abelson (5th kyu), Tiago Dominguez (6th kyu), Tian Dominguez (6th kyu), and Brittany Willard (6th kyu).
Sensei Dan Messisco (ASU 6th Dan, Michigan) will be teaching a Memorial Day weekend seminar hosted by the JionJuku Academy of Warrior Spirit in Largo Florida. Registration is limited to 30 – advance registration is required!
On Wednesday April 25, five students tested and were promoted by an instructor panel consisting of Hagen Sensei, Clementi Sensei, and Murray Sensei. They had strong tests, and we congratulate them for their dedication and effort to make themselves better!
Last month, the white belt student who logged the most training hours was Alan Abelson – and he’s held the title for three months now! The black belt student who logged the most training hours was Meredith Abel. It looks like all those training hours are starting to pay off!
In March we also welcomed 1 new member to our dojo. Please welcome Jonathan Espinoza!
Last month, the white belt student who logged the most training hours was Alan Abelson. The black belt student who logged the most training hours was Jon Posnick. These students are really setting the bar! Congratulations!
In March, we will begin preparing students for kyu testing in April (before or at the start of USF Finals) – if you might be ready, be sure to focus on your test techniques and get your hours in!
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 has begun, and our new schedule has been set! The new times are:
Also, promotion certificates are also in and will be presented to those who tested in December. See you on the mat!
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)
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.
