MICHIGAN AIKIDO

A New Season of Training

2011-09-07T17:05:00.003-04:00

The fall 2011 Aikido schedule is in full effect at EMU.

Gleason Sensei Seminar

2011-01-19T13:07:00.004-05:00

Shobu Aikido of Ohio is hosting a seminar with William Gleason Sensei on January 27-29. See you there!

More info at www.toledoaikido.com

To a Fallen Friend

2011-01-06T19:44:00.004-05:00

Rest in peace Dale. We will miss you brother.

Day Seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei

2010-12-26T19:03:00.004-05:00

Aikido Schools of Central Ohio (Columbus) will be hosting a day seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei on Saturday, January 8.

More information can be found at: http://www.aikidoschool.org/

Hope to see you there!

New Training for the New Year!

2010-12-26T18:55:00.005-05:00

Happy holidays everyone! Here is the new schedule for winter keiko:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30-10:30 am (EMU)
Saturdays 10-noon (Ann Arbor)

We are working on adding an additional evening class and will post asap.

See you on the mat!

Gasshuku

2010-10-16T09:58:00.003-04:00

Thank you Bill Gleason Sensei for another great seminar and congratulations to Victor for a terrific Ikkyu test!

2010-06-14T21:37:00.001-04:00

The way goes nowhere.

2010-05-30T15:59:00.004-04:00

Thank you Bill Gleason Sensei for an excellent seminar. We look forward to training with you again soon.
..And congratulations to the new yudansha - Chelsea, Andy, and Bob. Well done!

The Mayans predicted it...

2010-04-27T22:53:00.004-04:00

Dan Messisco Sensei will be coming back to Ypsi to teach class on Wednesday, May 5 (5:45-7:45pm). All are welcome. See you on the mat!

Upcoming Seminars

2010-04-14T15:03:00.011-04:00

Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan at Oberlin Aikikai -
Oberlin, Oh.
April 30-May 2

William Gleason Sensei at Shobu Aikido of Ohio -
Toledo, Oh. May 28-30

Sono Mama

2010-04-09T00:50:00.004-04:00

Embracing Death : The samurai and the farmer

2010-04-08T12:11:00.005-04:00

Thank you to Dan Sensei for a great class last evening. We look forward to your return.

2010-02-21T16:41:00.005-05:00

2010-02-18T23:39:00.004-05:00

2010-02-13T19:10:00.003-05:00

Oxygen Atom

2010-02-13T15:11:00.003-05:00

TEN

2010-02-07T11:10:00.002-05:00

Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind
and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.

Winter Semester Schedule

2010-01-04T21:05:00.003-05:00

Hi All!

I hope the holiday break was a good one.

Beginning this week (January 6) keiko times are:

Mondays 10-11am
Wednesdays 10-11am & 5:30-7:20pm

*Please notice the earlier evening keiko time.

See you on the mat!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-14T14:03:00.001-05:00

Here's wishing a safe and happy holiday season to all of you followers of the way! I hope to see you soon!

Messisco Sensei

2009-10-24T19:45:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of highlights from the recent seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei. Thank you Dan!

Day Seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei

2009-09-27T10:32:00.008-04:00

On Saturday, Oct. 17 Michigan Aikido will host a day seminar with Dan Messisco Sensei (6th Dan). Training will be from 10-noon and 3-5pm. Cost $50. Mat space is limited. For more info contact: danny_kline@hotmail.com / 419.494.8058

Beginner's Mind

2009-07-20T14:55:00.002-04:00

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. ecc. 1:18

15

2009-07-10T11:41:00.003-04:00

The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.

They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.
-Lao Tzu

Old and New

2009-07-07T10:53:00.005-04:00

Here is a link to an interesting article comparing rankings systems over the years in japanese martial arts. http://www.judoinfo.com/ranks.htm

38:5

2009-06-26T13:32:00.004-04:00

"Ritual is the husk of true faith, the beginning of chaos." Lao Tzu

Thank you Ken Sensei

2009-06-24T10:14:00.004-04:00

Thank you for an excellent keiko and good fellowship! Please come back soon.

Kaz Tanahashi

2009-06-21T20:51:00.003-04:00

Kaz Tanahashi, a direct student of O Sensei, will be teaching calligraphy and talking about training with the founder as part of the zen workshop series at Shobu Aikido of Ohio. More information can be found at http://www.toledozen.blogspot.com/ and http://brushmind.net/

2009-05-20T22:37:00.002-04:00

Fiddling with this
And that technique
Is of no avail.
Simply act decisively
Without reserve!
-O Sensei

Thank you Dan Sensei for a great class!

19

2009-05-20T22:19:00.005-04:00

Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won't be any thieves.

If these three aren't enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.

-Lao Tzu

Driving Directions To Dojo

2009-05-19T09:10:00.003-04:00

Here is a link for driving directions and a campus map. The visitors parking lot is just off of Oakwood Drive and Olds/Robb is just East a couple of buildings on the same road. The entrance to the building is on the far side. See you on the mat.

http://www.emich.edu/recim/directions.htm.

Keiko begins!

2009-05-13T21:54:00.005-04:00

Ann Arbor Aikido has found a home at last and will begin by meeting every Wednesday from 5-7pm. We have a very large top quality tatami mat space to welcome all practitioners. Class fee $5 for EMU REC members, $15 for non-members*. Use of Rec center facilities available for the day to any participants.

Ann Arbor Aikido
100 Olds/Robb Combatives Room
Eastern Michigan University Campus
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

For more info call: 419.494.8058

*Membership to EMU REC available to public for $80/Semester.

New Space

2009-04-23T15:23:00.004-04:00

We have found a new home!

53

2009-04-06T16:18:00.003-04:00

The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered within the Tao.

When rich speculators prosper
While farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn-
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.

Road trip

2009-03-24T13:17:00.002-04:00

There will be no class on Saturday, March 28 in order for us to attend the Gleason Sensei seminar below. Class will resume next week.

Gleason Sensei Gasshuku

2009-03-20T13:39:00.004-04:00

William Gleason Sensei, author of the newly published "Aikido and Words of Power", will return to Shobu Aikido of Ohio to lead a gasshuku the weekend of March 27-29. For directions and entire class schedule please go to: www.toledoaikido.com.

Thank you Dan Sensei!

2009-03-07T21:45:00.002-05:00

Thank you so much to Dan Sensei for a wonderful and challenging seminar today and for generously sharing your insights with us. We eagerly await your next class. Domo arigato gozaimashita.

March 7 Seminar

2009-02-11T14:54:00.004-05:00

Training will begin for Ann Arbor Aikido with a seminar with special guest instructor Dan Messisco Sensei (6th Dan). This is a one day seminar on Saturday, March 7 from 10:30-noon and 2:30-4pm. Cost $50. You can find a collection of video clips of Dan Sensei at http://www.youtube.com/user/dendando.

Regular classes will follow every Saturday from 10:30-noon. Fee $10/class.

Best

2009-02-09T17:21:00.003-05:00

"I am willing to accept less than the best, but never to strive for less than the best. To do otherwise is like taking aim without setting your sights on the bull's eye." D. Shaner

Chicago Aikikai 11/08

2008-12-12T20:47:00.002-05:00

With Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Jay Weik Sensei

26

2008-12-02T23:30:00.002-05:00

The heavy is the root of the light.
The unmoved is the source of all movement.

Thus the Master travels all day
without leaving home.
However splendid the views,
he stays serenely in himself.

Why should the lord of the country
flit about like a fool?
If you let yourself be blown to and fro,
you lose touch with your root.
If you let restlessness move you,
you lose touch with who you are.

-Lao Tzu

True Victory

2008-11-12T12:45:00.002-05:00

"Though one should conquer a million men on the battlefield, yet he,
indeed, is the noblest victor who has conquered himself." Buddha

Heron Standing in Water

2008-11-10T13:00:00.003-05:00

"The bird moves when it must; it does not move when stillness is appropriate.
The secret of its serenity is a type of vigilance, a contemplative state. The heron is not in mere dumbness or sleep. It knows a lucid stillness. It stands unmoving in the flow of the water. It gazes unperturbed and is aware. When Tao brings it something it needs, it seizes the opportunity without hesitation or deliberation. Then it goes back to its quiescence without disturbing itself or its surroundings. Unless it found the right position in the water's flow and remained patient, it would not have succeeded." -Deng Ming-Dao

Thank You Dan Sensei!!!

2008-10-15T21:12:00.003-04:00

Thank you so much to Dan Messisco for traveling into the rainy abyss to lead our keiko this evening. A great time was had by all and we hope you'll come back soon and often.

Seigo Yamaguchi Shihan

2008-10-10T23:15:00.001-04:00

I Am That

2008-09-23T12:44:00.003-04:00

"That in whom reside all beings and who reside in all beings, who is the giver of grace to all, the Supreme Soul of the universe, the limitless being - I am that."

-Amritbindu Upanishad

Acceptance and Resorption

2008-09-20T00:21:00.001-04:00

In the sword there is no sword;
make a sword of the body.
In the body there is no body;
make a body of the spirit.
Like a firefly, round; by its
radiance, apparent.
Waiting not, scheming not,
thinking not, pausing not,
As if turning circles on a stage,
As if pressing a gourd in water.
-Kunii Zen'ya

Sakura Co. - Tools for the study of the Way

2008-08-31T11:49:00.004-04:00

http://sakura-co.blogspot.com/

I Pray for the Freedom and Liberation of Tibet

2008-08-16T22:49:00.005-04:00

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Guest Instructor

2008-08-09T19:42:00.004-04:00

I am pleased to announce we will have a special guest instructor for this Wednesday's session. Doug Krohn is an assistant instructor at Shobu Aikido of Ohio under Jay Weik Sensei and a good friend. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

77

2008-08-09T09:55:00.003-04:00

"The Tao of heaven is like the bending of a bow. The high is lowered, and the low is raised. If the string is too long, it is shortened; If there is not enough it is made longer.
The Tao of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who don't have enough.
Man's way is different.
He takes from those who don't have enough and gives to those who already have too much.
What man has more than enough and gives it to the world?
Only the man of Tao.
Therefore the sage works without recognition.
He achieves what has to be done without dwelling on it.
He does not try to show his knowledge."
-Lao Tzu

43

2008-08-07T17:16:00.003-04:00

"Once you know that death happens to the body and not to you, you just watch your body falling off like a discarded garment." Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

8.7.8

2008-08-07T17:00:00.003-04:00

"The hard and strong will fall. The soft and supple will overcome." -Lao Tzu

7.28.08

2008-07-28T13:19:00.003-04:00

"...the human heart,...when perfectly placid and clear, reflects the very image of the Deity." -Inazo Nitobe

Jizo

2008-07-23T21:24:00.003-04:00

Jizo is known for his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied; therefore,
he is regarded as the bodhisattva of hell beings. His famous vow, recited by many Buddhists, is, "Not until the hells are emptied will I become a Buddha; Not until all beings are saved will I certify to Bodhi."

7.23.8

2008-07-23T21:00:00.002-04:00

"He Who Knows Others Is Wise. He Who Knows Himself Is Enlightened." - Tao Te Ching

7/19/8

2008-07-19T12:44:00.003-04:00

Your spirit is the true shield. -O Sensei

Ryujin The Water Dragon

2008-07-17T08:23:00.001-04:00

The embodiment of yin.

7/16/8

2008-07-16T11:02:00.004-04:00

The summer weapons intensive in DC was terrific! Great training, good friends, good food...
I brought back some new katas and deeper pieces from the instructors. Thanks especially to George Ledyard Sensei for all of your insight.

ASU Weapons Intensive

2008-06-29T22:04:00.006-04:00

I will be away for the ASU Summer Weapons Intensive and class will be cancelled for the next two Wednesdays. Our regular weekly keiko will resume on July 16. See you then - Danny

Chikyokan 7th Anniversary

2008-06-29T21:57:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to our home dojo Shobu Aikido of Ohio for 7 great years of Aikido.

5.28.08

2008-05-29T12:24:00.008-04:00

Beside calm water
under shade trees
on soft summer grass
we find the way.

Kumi Tachi

2008-05-23T11:05:00.000-04:00

May 24 & 25 Shobu Aikido of Ohio will be hosting a weapons seminar focusing on Saotome Sensei's Kumi Tachi (or Aiki-Ken) katas #6-10.
Saturday 10-12 & 3-5
Sunday 10-12

5.7.8

2008-05-07T13:39:00.003-04:00

"The triangle represents the generation of energy and initiative; it is the most stable physical posture. The circle symbolises unification, serenity and perfection; it is the source of unlimited techniques. The square stands for form and solidity, the basis of applied control."

"When the triangle, the circle and the square become one, it moves in spherical rotation together with the flow of ki, and the Aikido of sumi kiri ("total clarity of mind and body") appears."

- Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei

4.30.08

2008-04-30T20:00:00.005-04:00

"Day after day train your heart out, refining your technique: Use the One to strike the Many! That is the discipline of the Warrior." -O'Sensei

4.28.08

2008-04-28T21:56:00.005-04:00

Thank you to Bill Gleason Sensei and Jay Weik Sensei for their insight and instruction and all the Okugyo participants for their sincerity and generosity throughout the past week's training.

Okugyo

2008-04-21T17:49:00.003-04:00

There will be no club meeting this week. I will be participating in the Okugyo Aikido Intensive in Vermont. See you next wednesday.

Things seen and unseen

2008-04-11T14:20:00.005-04:00

The way that can be followed is not the eternal way.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth
While naming is the origin of the myriad things.
Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery
Ever desiring, you see the manifestations.
These two are the same--
When they appear they are named differently.
Their sameness is the mystery,
Mystery within mystery;

The door to all marvels.

-Lao Tzu

4.9.08

2008-04-09T19:58:00.002-04:00

2008-04-04T15:41:00.002-04:00

"Practice is everything. This is often misquoted as practice makes perfect."
-Periander

4.2.08

2008-04-02T21:16:00.004-04:00

Completely relaxed, breathe in uke's attack and move through with complete freedom.

Wake Up

2008-04-02T12:57:00.003-04:00

Evening Gatha
Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time passes by swiftly and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken.
Awaken! Take heed, do not squander your life.

3.26.08

2008-03-27T15:38:00.007-04:00

Bodhidharma

Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. -ovid

Resistance

2008-03-27T09:57:00.005-04:00

Through the practice of Aikido and understanding of it's principle, one learns to receive another's attack, putting an end to the action-reaction trap. Unlike action-reaction, receiving allows us to break the violence-begets-violence scenario that continues to devastate the world around us. Instead, the aggression is fully accepted to be released peacefully back to the universe.

3.19.08

2008-03-19T23:18:00.004-04:00

True victory is victory of self; may this happen at the speed of light!

iroha poem

2008-03-14T09:53:00.003-04:00

Although its scent still lingers on

the form of a flower has scattered away

For whom will the glory

of this world remain unchanged?

Arriving today at the yonder side

of the deep mountains of evanescent existence

We shall never allow ourselves to drift away

intoxicated, in the world of shallow dreams.

3.12.08

2008-03-12T22:39:00.013-04:00

tonight at keiko we were privileged to have jamie from burlington, vermont stop in to train with us. the group had a good practice working on some of Saotome Sensei's lessons from last weekend. it is always interesting to see how conflict breaks down to simply who controls the center.

Aiki Shrine

2008-03-11T14:36:00.002-04:00

Here are some photos of a recent trip to the Aiki Shrine in Myakka City, Fl.

Aiki Shrine (pt. 2)

2008-03-11T14:08:00.002-04:00

2.27.08

2008-02-27T19:17:00.004-05:00

Weight underside, ki extended, completely relaxed, maintain one-point and receive the universe.

Ki Musubi

2008-02-23T13:34:00.004-05:00

click the title above to see how stars deal with conflict.

2.20.08

2008-02-22T18:33:00.006-05:00

Fudo Myo-o

"Looking at the world's sorry state do not whimper helplessly!
With the wrath of the gods let us bravely head on!" O Sensei

After Keiko

2008-02-22T16:09:00.006-05:00

here is some impromptu footage taken at Shobu Aikido of Ohio of Danny Kline (nage) with Bob Bartels (uke).

yasuno sensei

2008-02-20T21:17:00.003-05:00

masatoshi yasuno sensei

Upcoming Events

2008-02-16T17:06:00.000-05:00

March is a busy month for our parent dojo Shobu Aikido of Ohio. All Aikido practitioners are welcomed and encouraged to attend these events regardless of affiliation or experience.

March 1-2 Weapons Seminar. The focus of this seminar will be the jo. hours are saturday 10-noon and 3-5, sunday 10-noon

March 28-30 gasshuku with William Gleason Sensei
Gleason Sensei will return to the area for our winter gasshuku. Don't miss the rare opportunity to see such an experienced sensei right in your neighborhood.

You can read a very interesting article about Gleason Sensei if you go to www.boston.com and search "sharing aikido's life lessons".

Ikeda Shihan Interview

2008-02-14T22:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to a very interesting interview with Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan from 2007. For anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to meet him, it is a nice glimpse into the great man. http://www.bujindesign.com/featured_articles/2007_1_article_1.html

2.13.08

2008-02-13T21:35:00.000-05:00

Irimi Tenkan. The ability to fully blend with uke's attack to achieve ki tai is essential for all waza. Tonight we worked on blending with mune tsuki and shomen uchi strikes while feeling for the "just enough" ma ai.

the training space

2008-02-06T21:14:00.000-05:00

2.06.08

2008-02-06T20:50:00.000-05:00

We braved the elements to come together this evening for an especially beautiful keiko. As the snow fell heavy and slow all around us Tom, Angela and I worked on ki extension and expansion within movement. From yokomenuchi we practiced maintaining the center line while receiving uke's ki. It is really something to practice with nature's beauty so noticeably surrounding you.

Pete Trimmer Sensei at Shobu Aikido of Ohio

2008-01-12T12:23:00.000-05:00

uke: Doug Krohn photos by danny kline

In House

2008-01-12T00:15:00.000-05:00

THE TECUMSEH AIKIDO CLUB IS NOW FREE FOR ALL SHOBU STUDENTS TO ATTEND.

Welcome to the Michigan Aikido club blog.

2008-01-09T21:31:00.001-05:00

Training has begun for the Michigan Aikido Club. We will meet every Wednesday from 5-6pm at the Fitness Center in Tecumseh, Mi. The practice is led by Danny Kline, a student of Jay Weik Sensei. His teacher, William Gleason Sensei (author of "The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido") studied with Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei and Mitsugi Saotome sensei, both direct students of the founder O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba.

Anyone 15 years or older is welcome to attend. No membership to the Fitness Center is required. The facility simply requires a small mat fee of $10 per class (reduced if enrolled in full 8 week session) which includes use of the entire center for the day.

Fitness Center 703 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh, Mi. 49286 517.424.3399