2010 Carrie Matteoli Shodan Exam

The shodan (1st degree black belt) examination of Carrie Matteoli, member of the University of South Florida Aikido dojo (Tampa Florida, usfaikido.com). The exam was held during the annual Florida Rokudan Seminar, which was hosted this year by the ASU Sarasota dojo on August 21, 2010.

USF Ukemi Core Training

A slow core balance and core muscle exercise for aikido front and back rolls, based upon Systema rolling exercises and yoga neck/shoulder postures. It improves flexibility for both beginner and advanced students, and is a good way to introduce front and back rolls. Demonstrated by the members of University of South Florida Aikido (Tampa Florida, usfaikido.com)

USF Front Feather Fall Instruction – Ostoff Style

An easy method for teaching soft forward breakfalls (ukemi). This clip shows our version of the feather fall method developed by Sensei Frank Ostoff of Aikido Zentrum Dusseldorf. This method is one of the best we’ve seen for inspiring confidence, and helping students who have difficulty with breakfalls ease into them in a fun and safe way. Demonstrated by the Continue reading

Seminar: 2009 Florida Rokkudan Seminar, August 7-9 2009

The University of South Florida (Tampa) will be hosting the fifth annual Aikido Schools of Ueshiba Florida Rokkudan seminar featuring instruction by senseis Dennis Hooker, Duane “PeeWee” Jones, Steve McPeck, John Messores, Patty Saotome and Wendy Whited. The purpose of this seminar is to foster fellowship among dojos, to provide a memorable forum for testing black belt candidates from ASU dojos and to have these respected senseis share their expectations and knowledge about what it means to prepare for and become an aikido black belt. Qualified shodan and nidan candidates from any ASU dojo are invited to test.