- This year was Sensei Lemmon's 30th year in Yoshinkan Aikido
- Last week, James N. and Mark C. tested successfully for Yondan.
- Last week David H. became the 10th person to earn Shodan at the Seikokan
The seminar itself was fabulous. A number of instructors came to share their unique perspectives on the art.
- Jim Jeannette Sensei (7th Dan)
- Robert Mustard Sensei (7th Dan)
- Mark Lemmon Sensei (6th Dan)
- Nic Mills Sensei (5th Dan)
- Ashley Hennessy Sensei (5th Dan)
There were several dojos and other senseis who came to train, and everyone had a good time.
Friday night featured an hour and a half class with Robert Mustard Sensei. I have reviewed Robert Mustard Sensei Clinics before and I feel like I can never say enough about his Aikido or his teaching. Mustard Sensei spent some 10 years in Japan at the Honbu dojo and was able to study under Gozo Shioda Sensei, Takeno Sensei and Chida Sensei. (Although to ask Mustard Sensei, he does not claim himself to be a direct student of Gozo Shioda, who died in 1994).
Mustard Sensei's messages are constant:
- proper posture
- proper timing
- relax
- if you want power, don't use it
- if you want to go fast, go slow
No matter how many times I encounter these teachings, Mustard Sensei is always able to express it in a fresh and living manner. He is both funny and serious in his teaching and genuinely wants to help you understand something about Aikido. I would also like to note that the Friday class included Hanshi Albert Mady (10th Dan Isshinryu Karate), who came out in support of the Seikokan Anniversary.
Saturday was the day of multiple perspectives...
Ashley Hennessy Sensei is a student of Amos Parker Sensei (8th Dan) , who in turn was a long time student of Terada Sensei (10th Dan). (Terada Sensei died in 2009) Hennessy Sensei shared some Yoseikai variations on sankajo, which were characteristic of the art as practiced in Terada Sensei's lineage. At the conclusion of his class, Hennessy Sensei presented Lemmon Sensei with a certificate issued by the Yoshinkan Honbu, congratulating him on his dojo anniversary and his personal milestone of 30 years in Aikido. It was a big surprise and greatly appreciated.
Nic Mills Sensei, who considers himself a student of Mustard Sensei, reinforced many of the principles that we heard from Mustard Sensei on Friday night. Using techniques such as shomen uchi kotegaeshi, Mills Sensei focussed on connection and distance between sh'te and uke, as well as the importance of smooth fluid lines.
Mark Lemmon Sensei used hiji-ate kokyu nage to demonstrate where uke is strong, and where he is not. Dispelling some older misconceptions of the technique which made uke's fear for their limbs, Lemmon Sensei put the emphasis on off-balancing uke, through the shoulder via the elbow and arm. Even though Lemmon Sensei has been my direct teacher for seven years, he continues to find new ways to convey familiar principles, allowing his students to deepen their understanding and to never think that they 'know it all'.
Jim Jeannette Sensei, who was not originally scheduled to teach, was persuaded to do so (to the appreciation of all). Jeannette Sensei is a humble and understated teacher with amazing technique and an ability to convey what is needed to help his students better grasp the principles behind the movements. Jeannette Sensei focussed largely on the connection between Sh'te and Uke and the superiority of position, movement and relaxation over muscular strength.
The classes concluded with a final lesson from Robert Mustard Sensei, who brought together the points of the day with an emphasis on timing, fluidity and relaxation as the gateways to martial power.
Later that evening, many of the students and instructors attended a party at Rob and Jackie's house. Bonds of friendship that were formed on the mat over the past two days were cemented around a kitchen island. Friends were made, and common threads of spirit will encourage continued connection.
The spirit of giving and receiving that ran through the weekend was very welcome. With the great level of talent present on the mats for the weekend, there was certainly potential for ego to rule the day. However, the spirit of open mindedness and the desire to understand other perspectives pervaded.
I can not express enough gratitude to all those involved. Thanks to all of the instructors who shared their understanding. Thanks to all the aikidoka who came to learn from this wonderful format. A special thanks to Mark Lemmon Sensei for putting it all together and cultivating what was an outstanding experience for all.
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