On the shelf, right above the front desk at the dojo, we present gifts we received throughout the years. One of them is a straw hat. "Peace is every step" reads the calligraphy on it. It was written by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen master. “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” A reminder of mindfulness. It's in every step. For the full version, visit: http://www.northvalleyaikikai.blogspot.com ..read more

This weekend we had the honor to participate in a seminar with Aikido Doshu, Ueshiba Moriteru. The seminar was hosted by Aikido UnEnKai, chaired by I. Shibata Shihan, at Berkeley Aikikai. It felt like a one in a lifetime opportunity, training in a smaller setting that the usual gymnasiums Doshu has been teaching in, with hundreds of participants. In this photo, taken at the reception, after classes, are some of North Valley Aikikai members, my daughter, Aria, and myself. For the full version, visit: http://www.northvalleyaikikai.blogspot.com ..read more

Every person we practice with presents us with a gift. Bryce and Nick in our beginners class tonight. For the full version, visit: http://www.northvalleyaikikai.blogspot.com ..read more

In this short clip I touch three principals in bokken work: The first is the principal of blending: Keeping the bokken 'sticky' and engaged with our partners' bokken will prevent unwanted openings. This keeps us safe and 'in tune' with our partners movements. The second principal is Maintaining the Center Line: This is essential for both offensive and defensive sides. Waiving the bokken away from the center line will create unnecessary openings and will be posisioned farther from our targets. The third principal is Keeping Correct Distance: We need to make sure our attacks aim for full contact ..read more

Congratulations to Sonny Monge (3rd Kyu) and Derrick Trinidad (5th Kyu) for passing their tests. For the full version, visit: http://www.northvalleyaikikai.blogspot.com ..read more

Another year is wrapped up at North Valley Aikikai. Last night we did 108 repetitions of Aikido's most basic technique, Suwariwaza Shomen Uchi Ikkyo. This is a very traditional practice in many Aikido schools. Here is short explanation on the number 108 from Wikipedia: "In Japan, at the end of the year, a bell is chimed 108 times to finish the old year and welcome the new one. Each ring represents one of 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve nirvana." The number 108 has many other meanings in different cultures and practices. Afterwords we sat quietly in Zazen, allowing the ..read more

One of our 'regulars' at the Dojo is Mr. John Barber, also known as "Grandpa". He brings his granddaughter Gillian to Aikido classes every Wednesday, and sometimes on Saturdays, too. He is a wise man, who gladly shares his extensive knowledge on the Eastern cultures and life in general. From time to time he hands me a gift, a handful of poems. He calls them "Kinda like Haiku". They touch and lift my heart. Here are some of them: * Trees in bright white bend to a wind that is not there. Calm feeling again * Children laugh and play; incense lingers in the air. Demons flee away * Words are but a ..read more

Last weekend we had the honor of hosting Shibata Sensei for a weekend seminar, celebrating our Dojo's fifth anniversary. The seminar was inspiring and very energetic. Everyone trained with great spirit. At the end of the seminar Shibata Sensei tested Keri for Shodan, our first student to receive a black belt. An honor to the Dojo on its fifth birthday. A couple days later, as I was preparing tea at the Dojo's kitchen, I noticed a writing on the white board in Japanese. Three Kanji reading Hi Shi Ryo. A research revealed that Hishiryo is a Zazen term, used by Zen master Dogen, founder of Soto Z ..read more

The students at North Valley Aikikai started a fundraiser for a Dojo camcorder. There will be adults (S-4XL) and children (XS-XL) sizes T-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts (hoodies and crewneck), as well as bumper stickers for sale. The prices are as follows: T-Shirt adults (S-4XL) and kids (XS-XL):$20 Tank tops men (S-2XL), women (S-2XL):$20 Sweatshirts crewneck (S-3XL): $30 Kids sweatshirts crewneck (XS-XL): $25 Sweatshirts hoodie (S-4XL): $35 Kids sweatshirts hoodie $30 Bumper sticker: $1 We will take orders until mid September, so feel free to email us your order. Thank you for your suppor ..read more

Here is a slide show summing up our ten weeks of the Avatar Summer Camp. Wonderful kids, great activities and a bunch of new experiences are coming to an end. We wish to thank the children, parents, assistants, and all those who participated in this amazing camp. For the full version, visit: http://www.northvalleyaikikai.blogspot.com ..read more