Sunday, April 5, 2009

Japanese Calligraphy and Language lessons

Coming in May our dojo will be offering Japanese calligraphy and language classes.
Instruction is by Maki LaBonte. 
Calligraphy
Classes in calligraphy will be offered session 1 is Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and session 2 is Wednesdays and Fridays 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the class size limited to six students per session. Maki suggests two classes per week in order to learn the calligraphy properly. The fee is $30.00 per week with a minimum of a four week enrollment, also there is $50.00 equipment fee which covers all the materials required,(brushes, ink, inkwell, paper weight and paper). which will be yours to keep at the end of the session. Class size is limited as Maki would like to ensure quality instruction to the students. So sign up early if you do not get into this session we will place you an a waiting list for the next session.
These classes will begin on May 4th so sign up early.

Language
The Japanese language lessons will begin in May as well starting on May 8th at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.. This an eight week course and Maki will help you to learn conversational Japanese.
The fee for the program is $170.00, the only equipment required is pad an pen which will be supplied. Sign up early as Maki would like to keep the class size to twenty people in order to give students personal attention.

Kyu Tests



Recently we had nine students test for there kyu rank test. Everyone did a great job and all passed their respective tests.Congrats to Rebbecca, Jeannette, Connor, Kent, Daisy, Mari, Marisella, Jose and NIck. Thanks to everyone that came to watch and take ukemi for the people testing.
Also Five students from the PASA program took their tests and passed.
Keep up the training.

Gong Bath


The Gong Bath was a great success. It was very relaxing as the waves of sound went from soft to loud and soft again. There will be another session coming on May 9th. Details will be posted on our web site.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Capuano Sensei Instructs at Dubai Seminar.


I was invited to Zanzhinkan Dojo in Dubai, UAE as their guest Instructor. I met John Ratnam Sensei ( Dojo Cho of Zanshinkan ) and his students as well as aikidoka from the region. In attendance were aikidoka  from Dubai, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Russia, Australia, South Africa and France. It was an incredible experience teaching to such a diverse student base, but we all spoke the language of Aikido. Also I was honored to sit on the test committee for five Shodan exams as well as one Nidan exam. I am glad to announce everyone passed. Congratulations to Cathi on her Nidan; Hamdi, Damith, Yousef, Mohammed and Mohammed on their Shodan grades. I got to experience the local culture of this beautiful country in grand fashion as Sensei John and Hamid treated me like royalty. Special thanks to Cathi, Michael, Samith, Mohammed and Yousef. I would like to thank Toyoda Sensei for the opportunity to go and a very special thanks to John Ratnam Sensei for all of his hospitality and generosity. He is a Sensei in every aspect of the word. I hope to go back and see all of my new friends soon, I feel as though I have known them all of my life. Here is a short video of the training sessions. Here are some photos.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Energetic Clearing and Balancing / Meditation

Energetic Clearing Class
Our dojo will be hosting Debra Caroselli as she does an Engertic clearing and balancing class. The classes will be every Friday evening at Rhode Island Aikido starting February 20th the class time is at 7:00 pm. She will be assisted by Rick Testa Sensei. Sit relaxed with calming music and incense as the energy frequencies are emitted to heal and balance the spirit. The fee is $30.00. Reserve a spot now as the classes fill quickly. 

Meditation
Also contact Rick as we are also hosting Sunday morning meditations with Rick Testa Sensei. This will begin February 22nd at 11:00 am with a minimum donation of $10.00 dollars. This class begins with gentle body movements as you are brought into stillness.

Contact 
Debra : debracaroselli@yahoo.com
Rick : rick2064@yahoo.com

Monday, February 16, 2009

O' Sensei

Check out this video someone sent me of O' Sensei performing an Aikido demonstration.
This is suppose to be sometime during the 1930's.
O' Sensei looks very young.

Cool Stuff!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Congratulations Bruce

Well it has been a long road only to come to beginning. 
Bruce Gillard  passed his Shodan test at the Methuen seminar.  O' Sensei felt that you when you obtain your black belt that is truly when you become a student of Aikido. This the beginning of an exciting year here at Shoshinkan. We have one new Shodan and another will be testing this year as well as students going for their 1st and 2nd kyu ranks respectively. Thanks to all who participated in Bruce's test as well as the students that helped in his training at the dojo.
Congratulations Bruce, keep up the training.
Here is a short compilation of Bruce's test.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Testing and Seminar


One of our Students Bruce Gillard will be testing for his Shodan or 1st degree black belt this month at Methuen Aikikai in Methuen MA..  Here is a photo of Bruce leading the class at our last seminar.

The Methuen Aikikai Seminar will be held January 23 - 25 and Dore Sensei will be instructing as well as Perriello Sensei, Matsuda Sensei, Gallo Sensei, Kanney Sensei and I, Capuano Sensei, was invited to instruct also. Click on the Methuen Aikido link at right for more information.

To add another black belt to the ranks of Shoshinkan is very exciting. Making the journey from new student to black belt is not easy and time consuming, at least 4 to 5 years of training.  
The test is administered in front of the regional testing committee and is demanding.
So "Good Luck" Bruce.