Newest Dojo Member!
February 24, 2013
Miranda Mary Nell Middleton was born at 3:27am this morning. Congratulations Miranda, Virginia and Matt!
Mini-Seminar, Saturday Feb 9
January 28, 2013
On Saturday morning, February 9th, the Aikido Institute will host a local area Mini-Seminar. It will run from 9:00am-1:00pm. For more information see the poster below. All MUN Aikido members are encouraged to attend. It’s a great chance to get to know and practice with members of the other clubs in town.
Feb2013 Seminar
Feb2013 Seminar
Intro begins Thursday Jan 17
January 16, 2013
A quick reminder that the Introduction to Aikido will start tomorrow night (Thursday). Registration begins at 7:45pm and the
class proper will begin at 8:00pm. Information on dojo location can be found on our at:
http://www.mun.ca/aikido/Practical_Info/Practical_Info.html
Note that there is a Judo class in the dojo from 6:30-8:00pm so when you arrive they will be on the mat. Try not to make too much noise as we don't want to disrupt their class. There should be one of our club members at the side of the mat to help you with the registation process.
The Global Gym requests that you enter and leave the Dojo through our entrance facing Elizabeth Avenue (there is a big sign saying "Martial Arts Here" pointing at it!) rather than the main Global Gym door. However once you come in, you can go through into the Gym and use their change rooms if you like.
You should wear loose fitting clothes such as sweat pants and a t-shirt. It's best not to wear shorts or jeans and please remove jewelry before class. If you have a karate or judo gi, feel free to wear that (preferably with a white belt if you have one).
Tomorrow night we'll introduce some of the basic movements of aikido including forward and backward rolls as well as a couple of representative techniques: one pinning and one throwing.
class proper will begin at 8:00pm. Information on dojo location can be found on our at:
http://www.mun.ca/aikido/Practical_Info/Practical_Info.html
Note that there is a Judo class in the dojo from 6:30-8:00pm so when you arrive they will be on the mat. Try not to make too much noise as we don't want to disrupt their class. There should be one of our club members at the side of the mat to help you with the registation process.
The Global Gym requests that you enter and leave the Dojo through our entrance facing Elizabeth Avenue (there is a big sign saying "Martial Arts Here" pointing at it!) rather than the main Global Gym door. However once you come in, you can go through into the Gym and use their change rooms if you like.
You should wear loose fitting clothes such as sweat pants and a t-shirt. It's best not to wear shorts or jeans and please remove jewelry before class. If you have a karate or judo gi, feel free to wear that (preferably with a white belt if you have one).
Tomorrow night we'll introduce some of the basic movements of aikido including forward and backward rolls as well as a couple of representative techniques: one pinning and one throwing.
Christmas Schedule
November 23, 2012
Our last class before Christmas will be Tuesday, December 18. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 8.
Introduction to Aikido
November 23, 2012
This January we will once again host our popular two-week, four-class Introduction to Aikido. It will introduce the foundations of Aikido including throws, locks, controls, pins, break falls and weapons techniques as well as the more fundamental principles of posture, distance, timing, movement and harmonization.
This is designed for beginners. Experience with Aikido or any other martial art is neither expected nor necessary. All are welcome and you do not have to be a MUN student!
Registration and the first class will be on Thursday, January starting at 7:45pm. The cost is $30 and if you decide to continue with the club as a member this money will be discounted from your full membership cost. Please note: anyone under 18 will require a parental signature on their registration form.
Intro classes will occur on Thursdays and Sundays:
These four classes are intended to be taken in sequence and will each focus on different aspects of Aikido,we encourage you to attend all four so as not to miss anything.
All classes will take place at the Elizabeth Avenue Dojo (see Practical Info for map).
For planning purposes it would be useful for us to know how many people to expect, so please email munaikido@gmail.com if you are planning to attend so that we can plan to give you the best experience with our skilled instructors.
If you have any questions feel free to email us. This email is maintained by volunteers and responses over the Christmas period may take a bit longer due to vacation schedules. Please be patient and we look forward to helping you learn more about Aikido and MUN Aikikai.
This is designed for beginners. Experience with Aikido or any other martial art is neither expected nor necessary. All are welcome and you do not have to be a MUN student!
Registration and the first class will be on Thursday, January starting at 7:45pm. The cost is $30 and if you decide to continue with the club as a member this money will be discounted from your full membership cost. Please note: anyone under 18 will require a parental signature on their registration form.
Intro classes will occur on Thursdays and Sundays:
- January 17 – 7:45 - 9:30 p.m.(Registration and first class)
- January 20 – 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
- January 24 – 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
- January 27 – 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
These four classes are intended to be taken in sequence and will each focus on different aspects of Aikido,we encourage you to attend all four so as not to miss anything.
All classes will take place at the Elizabeth Avenue Dojo (see Practical Info for map).
For planning purposes it would be useful for us to know how many people to expect, so please email munaikido@gmail.com if you are planning to attend so that we can plan to give you the best experience with our skilled instructors.
If you have any questions feel free to email us. This email is maintained by volunteers and responses over the Christmas period may take a bit longer due to vacation schedules. Please be patient and we look forward to helping you learn more about Aikido and MUN Aikikai.
D. Waite Seminar
November 15, 2012
We have just heard that Fudoshin Aikikai will again host Donovan Waite Shihan for the 7th Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar. This will happen March 9-10. More information to follow...
Congratulations to Tak, Hakase and Haakon!
November 08, 2012
During the seminar with Nakamura Sensei, Haakon and Hakase took their 3rd kyu tests and Tak took his 1st kyu. They all did a great job and passed. Congratulations!
Photo Credit: Collette Phillips
Photo Credit: Collette Phillips
MUN Aikido on Twitter and YouTube
October 30, 2012
Interview in the MUSE...
October 20, 2012
Demo at the Works
October 17, 2012
Next Tuesday, October 23rd from 12:30-1:00pm, MUN Aikido will do a demonstration in The Works as part of I Love MUNdays.
Even if you can’t make the demo, there will be a booth set up from about 10:00am-2:00pm with information about Aikido and our club.
As a follow-up, our regular Thursday night class (8:00-9:30pm) on October 25th will be open (and free) to anyone who would like to come and try out Aikido.
Update: Video from the demo can be found on YouTube.
Even if you can’t make the demo, there will be a booth set up from about 10:00am-2:00pm with information about Aikido and our club.
As a follow-up, our regular Thursday night class (8:00-9:30pm) on October 25th will be open (and free) to anyone who would like to come and try out Aikido.
Update: Video from the demo can be found on YouTube.
Y. Nakamura Seminar
October 14, 2012
Yumi Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto will visit us again November 3rd and 4th. Click here for the poster. Note in particular the location: Saturday will be at Holy Cross (thanks to the Aikido Institute of Nfld for helping us arrange that space) and then Sunday will be back in our own Dojo.
Update: Nakamura Sensei gave another excellent seminar which has given us plenty to think about and work on. Thanks to all who attended and in particular the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland for lending us their space on Saturday.
Update: Nakamura Sensei gave another excellent seminar which has given us plenty to think about and work on. Thanks to all who attended and in particular the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland for lending us their space on Saturday.
Photo Credit: Matthew Middleton
H. Osawa Seminar
October 01, 2012
On the weekend of Sept 29-30, John, Jolanta, Robert and Ivan travelled to Halifax for a seminar with H. Osawa Shihan. Here’s the group photo from that event. Three members of the Aikido Institute of Nfld (Colleen, Jason and Collette) and one member of Fudoshin Aikikai (John) also attended. See how many of us you can find…
To make that a bit easier here’s a group photo of the Newfoundlanders with Osawa Shihan. 
Thanks to Collette for both of these pictures.
Fall Aikido Seminars
August 17, 2012
There are two seminars coming up this fall:
1) The Canadian Aikido Federation will sponsor a seminar with Hayato Osawa Shihan (Hombu Dojo) in Halifax on September 29 and 30. Several of us will travel there to train with him. For more information see the Halifax Aikikai website.
2) Then on November 3 and 4, Yumi Nakamura Sensei (Aikido Tendokai) will visit us again. If you’ve been to any of her previous seminars you will know that she is a great teacher so we are all looking forward to seeing her again. More information.
1) The Canadian Aikido Federation will sponsor a seminar with Hayato Osawa Shihan (Hombu Dojo) in Halifax on September 29 and 30. Several of us will travel there to train with him. For more information see the Halifax Aikikai website.
2) Then on November 3 and 4, Yumi Nakamura Sensei (Aikido Tendokai) will visit us again. If you’ve been to any of her previous seminars you will know that she is a great teacher so we are all looking forward to seeing her again. More information.
Christmas Schedule
December 06, 2011
This year the last class before Christmas will be on Thursday, December 15. The first class after Christmas will be Thursday, January 5 and the full regular schedule will resume on Tuesday, January 10 (i.e. there will be no Sunday class that first week).
New Dojo!
November 23, 2011
On November 22, MUN Aikido and MUN Judo moved from West Hatcher to our new dojo on Elizabeth Avenue. All classes are now held there. Here are some pictures of the move.
Y. Nakamura Seminar
November 16, 2011
Yumi Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto will visit us again this weekend. Click here for the poster. To help make space for the seminar, Thursday and Sunday night classes will be cancelled this week.
H. Osawa Seminar in Toronto
September 26, 2011
Ivan Booth attended the September 24-25 seminar with H. Osawa Sensei at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto (and was lucky enough to take one round of ukemi for Sensei). Thanks to David Newman (www.davidnewmanphoto.com) for the photos.
Congratulations John!
August 26, 2011
From August 7-11 several members of MUN Aikido attended the Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp in Halifax. John Bell successfully tested for Shodan. Congratulations John!
Summer Break
July 28, 2011
The last class for the summer will be Thursday, August 4th. Practice will resume on Thursday, September 8th at 8:00pm.
Summer Schedule
April 20, 2011
Classes will resume at the University on April 26. For the summer we will be practicing out of Hatcher House on Tuesdays (7:00-9:00pm) and Thursdays (8:00-9:30pm). We will also have a Jo practice at the same location on Wednesdays (1:00-2:00pm). Sunday classes (7:00-8:30pm) will be at the PowerPlex / Provincial Training Centre for May and June (and then we will take Sundays off until September). Maps and links can be found on Practical Info.
MUN Combat Room Closes
March 24, 2011
After 33 years in the same location, MUN Aikido will be moving after March 25. The MUN Combat Room is closing forever (and will become a lecture theatre). See the post above for our new practice schedule and location. Below is the group photo from our Wake for the Combat Room.
Thanks to everyone who came from Fudoshin Aikikai and the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland.
Thanks to everyone who came from Fudoshin Aikikai and the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland.
A New Year's Introduction to Aikido
December 18, 2010
This January we will repeat our two-week, four-class Introduction to Aikido. It will introduce the foundations of Aikido including throws, locks, controls, pins, break falls and weapons techniques as well as the more fundamental principles of posture, distance, timing, movement and harmonization. This is designed for beginners so no experience with Aikido or any other martial art is either expected or necessary. It will happen on January 18 (Tuesday), January 21 (Friday), January 25 (Tuesday) and January 28 (Friday), each day from 7:00-9:00pm. The four classes are intended to be taken in sequence and will each focus on different aspects of Aikido, so people signing up are encouraged to do their best to attend all four so as not to miss anything.
Registration will be before the first class (January 18) starting at 6:45pm (anyone under 18 will require a parental signature on their registration form). The cost is $30 but if, at the end, you decide to continue with the club as a member this money will be discounted from the full membership cost. For planning purposes it would be useful for us to know how many people to expect, so please email munaikido@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. Or, if you have any questions feel free to email us there as well.
Registration will be before the first class (January 18) starting at 6:45pm (anyone under 18 will require a parental signature on their registration form). The cost is $30 but if, at the end, you decide to continue with the club as a member this money will be discounted from the full membership cost. For planning purposes it would be useful for us to know how many people to expect, so please email munaikido@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. Or, if you have any questions feel free to email us there as well.
Upcoming Seminars
December 18, 2010
This will be a good winter for Aikido in Newfoundland. January 22-23, the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland will be hosting a seminar with Claude Berthiaume Shihan (Aikido de la Montagne, Montreal). Then March 12-13, Fudoshin Aikikai will host the 5th Annual Graham Burt Seminar, with special guest instructor Donovan Waite Shihan (Aikido Centre City, Philadelphia).
New Grading Requirements
August 26, 2010
From October 1, 2010 the Canadian Aikido Federation (including our club) will be using a new set of grading requirements.
Nakamura Seminar
April 09, 2010
From March 20-21, MUN Aikido again hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar. Thanks to Sensei for her superb teaching and the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland and Fudoshin Aikikai for their support. Also congratulations to Tak on a very nice 2nd kyu test.
Graham Burt IV
March 13, 2010
This Saturday Fudoshin organized another excellent seminar in memory of Graham Burt who first brought Aikido to Newfoundland.
Y. Nakamura Sensei to visit again
December 29, 2009
On March 20-21, 2010 we will again host a seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto. Click here for the poster.
Congratulations Paul!
September 19, 2009
Paul Ralph (former member of MUN Aikido, now part of the Vancouver Aikikai and instructor at UBC Aikido club) successfully tested for Shodan at a seminar in Victoria.
Atlantic Canada Summer Camp / Congratulations Jolanta!
August 10, 2009
From August 10-14, seven members of MUN Aikido attended the 3rd Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp in Halifax, NS with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation. Jolanta Lagowski successfully completed her Nidan test.
Seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei
March 29, 2009
From March 27-29, our club hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar (click on picture for enlargement). Thanks to the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland and Fudoshin Aikikai for their support.
Graham Burt III
March 07, 2009
MUN Aikido participated in the 3rd Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar at Fudoshin Aikikai. Thanks Fudoshin for hosting this fun event once again.
Seminar at AIN with Berthiaume Shihan
November 30, 2008
Many members of MUN Aikikai attended a seminar with C. Berthiaume Shihan at the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland on the weekend of November 29-30.
30th Anniversary Seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan
September 27, 2008
MUN Aikido celebrated its 30th Anniversary by hosting Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation, for a weekend training seminar from September 27-28. Many thanks to the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland, Fudoshin Aikikai and members of the Nova Scotia Aikido Federation for their support.
Welcome back Michael Langford!
August 12, 2008
Michael Langford Sensei, one of the founders of MUN Aikikai was back in St. John’s for a visit and dropped by to teach an excellent class. Thanks Michael.
Seminar at AIN with Berthiaume Shihan
May 25, 2008
Many members of MUN Aikikai attended a seminar with C. Berthiaume Shihan at the Aikido Institute of Newfoundland on the weekend of May 24-25.
Graham Burt II
March 08, 2008
MUN Aikido participated in the 2nd Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar at Fudoshin Aikikai. Thanks Fudoshin for hosting this fun event again (and inviting us).
Atlantic Canada Summer Camp / Congratulations Ivan!
August 02, 2007
Four members of MUN Aikido attend the 2nd Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp with Y. Kawahara Shihan at Dorje Denma Ling, NS from July 20-August 3. Ivan Booth successfully tests for Sandan.
Welcome to I. Ishiyama Sensei
May 17, 2007
I. Ishiyama Sensei was visiting St. John’s and we pleased to welcome him to teach a class at our dojo.
Graham Burt I
March 11, 2007
MUN Aikido participated in the 1st Annual Graham Burt Memorial Seminar at Fudoshin Aikikai. Thanks to Fudoshin for hosting this fun event.
Seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan
October 29, 2006
On the weekend of October 28-29, MUN Aikikai was pleased to host a weekend training seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.
Seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei
February 19, 2006
From February 17-19 our club hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar.
Atlantic Canada Summer Camp
August 13, 2005
From August 8-13, MUN Aikikai organized the 1st Atlantic Canada Aikido Summer Camp in Cornerbrook, NL with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.
Seminar with S. MacPhail Sensei
October 31, 2004
On October 29-31, MUN Aikikai hosted S. MacPhail Sensei (Victoria Aikikai) for a weekend training seminar.
Seminar with F. Turner Sensei
March 14, 2004
On March 13-14, MUN Aikikai hosted F. Turner Sensei (Shugyo Dojo, Toronto) for a weekend training seminar.
Seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan
November 08, 2003
On the weekend of November 8-9, MUN Aikikai was pleased to host a weekend training seminar with Y. Kawahara Shihan, Technical Director of the Canadian Aikido Federation.
Seminar with Y. Nakamura Sensei
September 29, 2003
From September 27-29 our club hosted Y. Nakamura Sensei of Aikido Tendokai in Toronto for a weekend training seminar (click on picture for enlargement).
Seminar with B. Collins Sensei
July 12, 2003
From July 11-12 our club hosted Bill Collins Sensei (Toronto) for a weekend training seminar.