Comments on Aikido Kenkyukai Fudoshin Dojo Australia: Click on Pictures for Larger View. These Semi...

I am most pleased at the outcomes from the success...

2007-08-25T16:06:00.000+10:00

I am most pleased at the outcomes from the success of these seminars.

First of all and always thank you Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan for the great supportive attitude and encouragement toward the many positive activities coordinated by individuals within the AKI Network Internationally. Also thank you Takeda Satoshi sensei for conducting classes inspired through a long time study of budo and the affectionate link with the Aikido of Takeda Shihan.

I won’t comment on Aikido style, techniques, feelings or inspirations I will leave that up to those participants who attended any of the seminars. I will comment though on the willingness shown by people to contribute. To contribute with sincerity, to a great extent indicates a willingness to expose ones true heart and what a wonderful image of Aiki is drawn from such a gesture.

To all who contributed thank you. To Shane Mann for his kind consideration to include me in assisting with his idea to have Takeda Satoshi sensei visit and conduct seminars. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank You.

Thank you Adelaide Aikido members and groups: Aikido UKA. Yvonne Chun-Wing sensei and Patrick Crogan, Aikido Yuishinkan. John Ward sensei, Aikido KA Gianni Zandal sensei.
AKI Adelaide Paul Reid and David Dempsey. Robert Sterling for his fine filming and photos.

Thank you Sydney Aikido Groups: AKI Balmain. Stephen Seymore sensei, Ayano sensei and Michael Dunne sensei. Also members who travelled to Balmain from away to practice.

Thank you Sydney Makotokan Dojo: Bill Haynes sensei and Tony Cox. Also to Colin Hackett sensei and members from Central Coast Aikikai.

Thank you Newcastle Groups.: Gaby Den Hollander sensei, Peter Alsop sensei, David Williams and Veronica Clipsham.

Thank you for your thoughtful kindness and good will towards one another and to Takeda Satoshi sensei.

I look forward to the next we meet.

Yours

Chicko.

It was good to see an old friend, Satoshi Takeda, ...

2007-08-19T21:09:00.000+10:00

It was good to see an old friend, Satoshi Takeda, again in Balmain after many years. A chance to catch up, reflect and look forward. Though we all have aged and changed it was encouraging to see the passion for Aikido is still a driving force. The visit was an opportunity to bring people together.
Steve Seymour

Satoshi Takeda SenseiThank you.I thoroughly enjoye...

2007-08-12T12:55:00.000+10:00

Satoshi Takeda Sensei

Thank you.I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of your powerful yet light and effortless Aikido.I found your expression of Aikido principles stimulating and inspiring.You clearly conveyed a great feeling of openness and connection with uke at all times.Also impressive and helpful were your demonstrations of centredness and centre line awareness as fundamental to achieving such effortlessness.

Many thanks also to Bill (Makotokan Dojo)and Gaby (Newcastle AKI) and members for your hospitality and assistance.

Paul

It was really fantastic to have met Takeda Satosh...

2007-08-11T11:36:00.000+10:00

It was really fantastic to have met Takeda Satoshi sensei. The one on one training with him so to experience and feel his movement was very beneficial for my guidance in improving my Aikido training. His ability to explain demonstrate the techniques from sword to hand techniques is truly great and I enjoyed the weekend very much. Thank you.
Joe.

Thank you to Satoshi Takeda sensei 6th dan for his...

2007-08-11T11:28:00.000+10:00

Thank you to Satoshi Takeda sensei 6th dan for his visit to Newcastle on the 28th and 29th July 2007. His focus and commitment to the centre line supports each of us to claim and reclaim centre for ourselves, moment to moment, now and in the future.

I am grateful that Newcastle students, and our five generous visitors from Fudoshin dojo in Queensland, have had access to such fine training and instruction, honed over 38 years. Satoshi sensei's dedication to the art of aikido is evident in his posture both on and off the mat.

I also appreciate his acknowledgement of Bob Gibbon's role in the establishment of aikido in Newcastle and his desire to commemorate Bob's unforgettable contribution to AKI Australia in some meaningful way.

We look forward to welcoming Satoshi sensei when next he visits and thank Chicko Xerri for making this possible.

Gaby den Hollander
AKI Newcastle

Dear Satoshi Takeda Sensei, My heartfelt thanks...

2007-08-10T15:45:00.000+10:00

Dear Satoshi Takeda Sensei,
My heartfelt thanks for a wonderful weekend on and off the mat. The training was stimulating and great fun. I particularly liked the reference to weapons in our normal movement and the constant connection with centre.
It was an honour to have you come to our dojo and share your knowledge with us.
Thank you Satoshi Sensei, Chicko Xerri and Shane Mann for making this possible,
Paul Reid

Dear Satoshi Takeda Sensei, It is an honour to ...

2007-08-10T15:43:00.000+10:00

Dear Satoshi Takeda Sensei,
It is an honour to have someone of your status in Adelaide, your weapons demonstrations have been deadly and your "softness" was powerful and connected to the centre.
I will always remember "cold stream reflects the moon" and "stroking the cat", two very powerful images, and yes, perhaps one day I will come and stay with you in Japan.
Yours respectfully,
Aaron

Thank you Sensei, Your training session really ...

2007-08-10T15:41:00.000+10:00

Thank you Sensei,
Your training session really opened my eyes, as a new student not yet having trained, now training and really enjoying it.
Thank you,
Steve

Thank you Satoshi Sensei for a great weekend, Ri...

2007-08-10T15:39:00.000+10:00

Thank you Satoshi Sensei for a great weekend,
Richard

Dear Sensei, I really enjoyed your training wee...

2007-08-10T15:38:00.000+10:00

Dear Sensei,
I really enjoyed your training weekend, it stimulated a lot of ideas and feelings. Receiving ukemi was a real joy. Glad to have met you,
sincere thanks,
Darren

Thank you Satoshi Sensei, I found your techniqu...

2007-08-10T15:36:00.000+10:00

Thank you Satoshi Sensei,
I found your technique to be unique and very different to what I`m used to. Your technique is centred and extremely powerful. Thank you for your unique insight to Aikido,
Mary Muscat

Connection and Research are a couple of the unique...

2007-08-10T11:42:00.000+10:00

Connection and Research are a couple of the unique features of our organisation's Aikido. I have trained in many dojos in Australia, some in Israel, UK, US and Japan, and except through the AKI people I've experienced, these are not common aspects of attention.

Over the Gasshuku with Satoshi Sensei, I very much enjoyed a re-connection with the spirit of training which I first encountered 20 years ago in Canberra: flexible yet powerful, open, energetic, exchanging, generous, encouraging, challenging and fun.

I also was glad that my students and my wider circle of Aiki-friends in Adelaide, training in other independent dojos, were able to experience the gentle power and precision of Sensei, if only for a weekend.

Their willingness to open their minds and try something different, to explore new territory, or to cover well known territory but in a different way is key to the concept of research. I’m sure their support of the event in a busy month of visits was appreciated by Shane.

My first experience of Satoshi sensei was at my first Gasshuku, held in Queensland a couple of years after I started aikido. Apart from the emphasis on weapons which is his trademark, sensei distinguished himself in my mind through his encouragement of all – from high graded students to the newest starter.

Another event which struck me, was watching Sensei walk after training ~ truly a demonstration of walking from centre ~ with intention, carrying the Aiki posture and extension from the mat, into the real world.

This was the first AKI Gasshuku in Adelaide conducted by a Japanese teacher since I began teaching 13 years ago. We’ve very much enjoyed the training, friendship, encouragement and conversation with Satoshi sensei through his time with us. I’m thankful for the efforts of Shane, the cooperation of Gianni and Paul and the encouragement of Chicko in making this visit possible. We are grateful for Sensei’s generous sharing of time and experience, and we look forward to further connections with him in Australia and Japan.

Yours in Aiki,

David Dempsey

My name is Roman Novak, from Newcastle A.K.I. dojo...

2007-08-08T22:56:00.000+10:00

My name is Roman Novak, from Newcastle A.K.I. dojo.
I was most impressed with the training conducted by Satoshi sensei here in Newcastle. This visit will be long remembered. Thank you to Satoshi sensei for the inspiring instructions, and thank you to Chicko sensei for making the arrangements.

SUMMARY OF EVENT// Takeda Satoshi Sensei arrived ...

2007-08-06T16:49:00.000+10:00

SUMMARY OF EVENT//

Takeda Satoshi Sensei arrived in a chilly Adelaide on 19 July to kick off his Australian AKI/FUDOSHIN DOJO series of Aikido seminars. Sat 21 July saw the first day of the seminar being held at Gianni's Aikido KA Dojo in Goodwood. Approximately 20 students attended and all where engrossed in Sensei's conceptual approach to holding correct centeredness and using this to develop excellent control and power, without using strength or having to 'force' throwing/techniques. The class was dynamic, yet allowed for all skill levels to learn and participate at a very high standard. All where very impressed with the approach and I believe the students have taken on this approach and will utilize it in our approach.

Sunday 22 July saw the seminar relocate to Paul's AKI dojo in Salisbury. Further examination of the aforementioned approach was explored. Approx 16 students attended.

Sensei conducted further seminars at Makotokan Dojo in Sydney, AKI Balmain and at the AKI Dojo in Newcastle NSW. These where also a great success with 20+ students attending each.

Special thanks as Always to Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, Satoshi Takeda Sensei, and Chicko Xerri Sensei, Paul, David and Gianni for their support and guidance. Also thanks to Rob for the excellent archive filming activities he conducted in Adelaide.

Regards

Shane Mann

SATOSHI TAKEDA SENSEI.Makotokan Dojo was very ple...

2007-08-05T11:19:00.000+10:00

SATOSHI TAKEDA SENSEI.

Makotokan Dojo was very pleased to have Satoshi Takeda Sensei again on Friday 27th July. Nineteen people attended on the night including two Kenkyukai people from Canberra and one of Chicko Xerri’s students from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

There was a good, vibrant energy to the training as Satoshi Sensei explained the principles of “Centreline” and a soft relaxed power. One of the highlights for me was Colin Sensei’s excellent Ukemi when acting as Uke for Sastoshi Sensei, blending easily with the movement and looking truly co-ordinated. I find a great “VIBE” on these occasions when we have people from different groups coming together for training and experiencing different approaches to the same thing (Aikido).

The night was concluded with a light meal at the “Castle Terrace” Chinese restaurant where we unfortunately had to put up with a great gaggle of young girls singing Karaoke. which Satoshi Sensei described as a “terrorist attack”.(all in good humour of course). I’d like to thank Colin Sensei and those members of the CCA who attended for their support and I think we have established a good relationship with Satoshi Sensei and the Kenkyukai. Thanks also go to Chicko Xerri Sensei for arranging this visit.

Hello my name is Malcolm Pollock.I have been asked...

2007-08-05T11:09:00.000+10:00

Hello my name is Malcolm Pollock.

I have been asked to give an account of my experience at a recent Aikido Seminar I attended at the Broadmeadow P.C.Y.C Dojo in Newcastle, Australia.

Takeda Satoshi was the Seminars 6th Dan Sensei.

The journey to attend the seminar with Sensei Takeda Satoshi was for me, an act of faith in what little I knew about this art form called Aikido, as up until 8 months ago I had no previous martial art training. My age is 48yrs.

I found Sensei Takeda Satoshi a very humble man with a great passion to share and pass on his 38yrs of Aikido wisdom and training. His ability to feel each of the participants level was inspiring.

For me, the focus of the seminar was to feel ones centre and allow feeling to still the mind into trust. I came away from the weekend with a sense of peace within myself and looking at life anew.

Best wishes
Malcolm Pollock

A special thank you to Satoshi Sensei for travelin...

2007-08-04T10:58:00.000+10:00

A special thank you to Satoshi Sensei for traveling to Australia to share more wonderful Aikido from the heart and I look forward to sharing training time again in the not too distant future.
Paul Westaway, Paul Hogan, Mark Logi, Malcolm Pollock and myself all attended the Newcastle seminar and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Newcastle dojo members and extending our Aikido in such a friendly and caring environment. Special thanks to Shane Mann and Chicko Sensei for arranging the tour and to Gabby Sensei for making the arrangements for our visit to Newcastle. Thanks also to our billets for taking such good care of us during our stay. We made and renewed friendships that will last for years to come. Sharing and learning Aikido adds another dimension to my life so it is always a privilledge to train with great teachers like Satoshi Sensei.