Welcome to the Seminar Review page. Here you can read reviews of seminars from the people who really count, the students. If you have attended a seminar recently and would like to contribute a review to Bu Jin News, simply write it down and e-mail it to [email protected] and we will be more than happy to post it. Due to space limitation we may need to edit your review a little, but we will endeavor to keep the content as close to the original as possible.

By Leslie Mills, Shinrikan Dojo, IN

It is with tremendous pleasure that I would like to report to you on the first clinic given by Amos Parker sensei at the Shinrikan dojo in Indianapolis (TigerLily T'ai Chi and Aikido Inc).

Parker sensei came the weekend of December 10-12, 1999. He taught 4 classes, each 2 hours in length. Students came from Minneapolis, MN (Alvin McClure sensei, GoDan) and from Detroit, MI (Herman Hurst sensei, GoDan).

They joined our students for an intimate group of eager Aikidoka. There were never more than 7 on the mat at any time, 10 all together participated. We felt privileged to have access to so much attention from sensei.

We had specifically asked Parker sensei if he would hover over us, cleaning up the little things, focusing on the basics, showering us with subtle corrections. And that is precisely what he did!

Parker sensei began with kihon dosa, spending the greatest amount of time on hiriki no yose ichi and ni. Having trained under Terada sensei for 35 years in Japan, Parker sensei worked with us on both Hombu kihon as well as variations attributed to Terada sensei. We worked on such things as tucking in the back foot at the very end of the movement so that the last little bit of the mechanic is done with a solid connection from the ground, through the back leg, strongly incorporating the hips, and elbows energized all the way to the fingertips.

We disassembled and reassembled basic techniques like shomenuchi ikkajo osae ichi and yokomenuchi shihonage ichi and ni, and lots of sankajo variations. We trained step by step, correcting and assimilating each adjustment. We felt the techniques become more efficient and powerful, more graceful and compelling.

Parker sensei watched each of us closely, giving advise and corrections pertinent to each student. He freely used the lower ranking students as Uke as well as the Udansha. This was very exciting for 'younger' students, and gave them a chance to feel the true energy of Aikido.

For several of our students, this was their first Aikido clinic, having studied up to this point with only Teddie Linder and myself, who are both female. They commented that Amos Parker sensei was such a fine role model, and they felt very good about their Aikido training to date. They could easily see that Aikido has little to do with being male or female, but has everything to do with proper body mechanics and proper intent and mental focus on harmony and least harm.

On Sunday, Parker sensei shared what he calls 'practical Aikido' and some variations of techniques that were derived from the Aikijujutsu style.

Between classes and after classes, Parker sensei made himself readily available to us. We talked about various aspects of the art of Aikido, some history and trends in Yoshinkan, his philosophies on teaching students, and many other topics, gained from over thirty years of teaching and training with Terada sensei in Japan.

Those attending the workshop were excited with the information and instruction he shared with us. Everyone at the workshop was impressed with Amos Parker sensei, both on the mat as an Aikidoka and an instructor, and off the mat as a person of wisdom and kindness.

Parker sensei presented me with my SanDan certificate and instructor's certificate to grade to the level of ShoDan. He presented my partner Teddie Linder with her NiDan certificate and instructor's certificate to grade to the level of ikkyu. He presented to both of us our dojo's IYAF registration certificate under the name Shinrikan.

We are very pleased that Parker sensei has agreed to visit our dojo twice each year, in April and August, to teach and guide and counsel us in Yoshinkan Aikido. We are grateful for his presence, and his giving spirit.



Boulder Aikikai: 1999 Halloween Seminar, Review
Friday, October 29th through Sunday, October 31st, 1999

By Rick Renner, Boulder Aikikai

Mitsugi Saotome Shihan again honored Boulder Aikikai by giving his time, energy and experience at the annual Halloween Seminar in Boulder. The seminar had record attendance, with 133 students - including 76 from Boulder Aikikai and 57 visitors from around the country (also a record). Saotome Sensei led the seminar through four keiko, beginning Friday night the 29th and ending Sunday, Halloween morning. The group was blessed by beautiful weather this year, compared to the near blizzard of 1998. This allowed many of the visitors to at least get some sunshine, if not go for a hike in the mountains.

The first keiko on Friday evening was a more contemplative session, where Saotome Sensei discussed and demonstrated the concept of feeling, as opposed to mechanics. Small movements and awareness were emphasized, and the class became a lesson in connection. As usual, the subtlety of Sensei's movements were combined with thoughtful words regarding the meaning of aikido.

Sensei also discussed the concept of society and its problems, and how these problems are often too abstract if we don't understand that individuals comprise society. Working with people's problems are the fundamental requirements of building a stronger society. For this writer at least, Sensei's words provided a clearer understanding of why we actually come to the dojo, why we train, and the meaning that it holds for us outside the dojo.

Sensei had noted there were many tired travelers on Friday evening and kept the class low key, but promised the rest of the weekend would be more vigorous. Saturday morning involved more movement and emphasis on connection, though the focus was on relaxing the body - moving out of one's head and letting the relaxed body develop a powerful connection with one's partner. In the afternoon, the training moved into weapons, using the shinai (on a very crowded mat).

On Sunday morning, which followed a Saturday night party hosted by Boulder Aikikai, Sensei continued shinai work, moving into the practice of take-aways. Demonstrations by Sensei with two ukes - Kevin Choate Sensei and Tres Hofmeister Sensei - showed the importance of precise footwork and clear intention. The rest of the students gave it a good try. The balance of the class was taken up by jiyu waza techniques, and despite the crowded mat, practice was vigorous.

The seminar was a great success, and a meaningful practice for all the students. We would like to thank Saotome Sensei for teaching and Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei for hosting the seminar. Also, many thanks to all the travelers and to senior students at Boulder Aikikai for their efforts in organizing the seminar.