January Newsletter 2011

Calendar:
Jan 1               Membership dues deadline
Jan 2               January Brushwork Misogi, 4-5:30pm, FREE
Jan 8               Yoga Misogi Workshop, 9-10am, FREE
Jan 16             Shakuhachi Flute Event, (see below)
Jan 22             Samurai Sword Workshop, 2-3:30pm, $20
Jan 1-31          Aikido Misogi Month: 7 days of training (see page 2)

Announcements:

• New Sword class offering for Kids and Parents!
  Beginning January 8, 2011, the regular Saturday Weapons class (10:30am-12noon) will open to those students Susan Sensei invites from the Kids’ class program at no extra charge! Kids class assistant, Alberto Corona, will assist them in this class. Parents are invited to join class for only $12 per class.

• Saturday afternoon Sword Classes offered through the City of Montclair! Ron Sensei has offered to teach one Sword Class a month from January – May, beginning on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Class will meet at 2-3:30pm. Kenneth Sugerman will assist this class.
  
  
• Shakuhachi Flute fundraiser: Lecture and demonstration is scheduled from 3-4pm and for 10 pre-registered (first come first serve) members there is a hands-on workshop from 4-5pm on January 16. Sign up at front desk.
  
  
• Help needed: We want to complete two end-of-the-year tasks this month:
  
  
  • Sean Krempa needs 1-2 people to help refresh our Kamiza with our special
    wood treatment.

Musubi Dojo Printer:  Mike Carnes (Advice Printing) is kindly supporting Musubi Dojo by offering his printing services. A former Musubi Aikido student, you may see him and his son at practice one day soon! Please show your gratitude by supporting his business if you (or anyone you know) need a printer: Advice Printing, 433 West Allen Avenue Ste 115, San Dimas, CA 91773, (909) 971-9557,
www.adviceprinting.com, mike@adviceprinting.com.

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to training with you in 2011!

Spirit Week
a January 2011 Misogi*
Spirit Week: 7 days of Aikido training!

Anytime between January 1 and 31, train in an Aikido class 7 days in a row and you will receive a calligraphy by Susan or Ron sensei. (Any class counts so you can use the new Intro classes to pace yourself and visit those early morning classes.) At the finish of your 7 day Misogi, write and hand in a sentence saying what was most difficult and another sentence saying what was most valuable. The date of the calligraphy offerings will be announced.

Children who have limited class times during the week and others who may work during class times can still satisfy the 7 day practice by requesting permission to supplement the training days with days where one hour is spend on an “aiki activity” such as writing some reflections down about Aikido with regard to an activity such as reading an Aikido book, drawing, meditation, sword work, even sweeping the walkway, or being in nature. For more ideas, see Susan sensei.

* A Misogi is a practice that pushes you beyond your present state. See December newsletter for more information about the meaning of Misogi.