Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan at Kansas State Univ. (Manhattan, KS)
March 3-4, 2000

Contributed by Victoria Brundage*

Sensei Yoshimitsu Yamada, head of the United States Aikido Federation (shihan, USAF Eastern Division) led training at this gathering for aikido practitioners from all over the United States. Over 100 persons attended.

Yamada Sensei focused on kihon waza, basic technique. He encouraged all present to constantly pay attention to our body movement, balance, and breathing, as well as to our engagement with our partners. Only by such attention, Sensei said, will we grow in our practice. Yamada Sensei was chief instructor for the seminar, but instruction was also given by Sensei Peter Bernath (shidoin) and Sensei Paul Chang (fukushidoin).

Training was lively, intense, and joyful. Aikido practitioners attended who are members of dojos from Texas to Wisconsin to Florida. Practitioners attended from several different aikido organizations, including Aikido Schools of Ueshiba.

Special thanks are due to Jack Hayes and Jayne Thompson, both USAF fukushidoin and both instructors at the K-State Aikikai. As always, Jayne and Jack provided an opportunity for aikido practitioners of many affiliations to practice together in joy and harmony. Thanks as well are due to Yamada Sensei, Bernath Sensei, and Chang Sensei for their warm welcome to all and their fine instruction.

*Victoria Brundage is a member of the Milwaukee Aikido Club (ASU). To visit the website, please go to http://gbit.com/milwac/

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