Our Thoughts
Bob
"I decided to join Aikido Shinyukai because it was the epitome of what attracted me to Aikido in the first place. One of friendship, kindness, and learning about one's self."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Ric
"When looking for the right dojo, take your time and visit several of them. Your gut feeling will allow you to make the right choice. The key to joining Aikido Shinyukai for me was the other members and how they live off the mat. They are all kind, happy, and considerate of others. You will find these good traits when you practice with them on the mat, too."
Clarise
"Aikido is the Great Equalizer.
It does not matter if you are small, or weak, or elderly, or disabled. If you have an open mind and a drive to be better today than you were yesterday, you can become a better Aikidoist. And, as a result, you can become a better parent, a better friend,
a better person."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Masakatsu agatsu
True victory is victory over oneself."
- Morihei Ueshiba
David
"What I enjoy about Aikido the most is that, although we are focused in our training, much of our personality is expressed in how we apply the techniques and allow them to be applied to us. In a way, our personalities are mingling during practice. I get to know people as I practice with them,
and I find that fascinating."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"To appreciate the best opportunity for attack and defense, you must fully understand the rhythm of movement."
- Sadami Yamada
Principles and Practice of Aikido
Kevin
"Our group became my second family. Family sticks together. To end practice, Ron Sensei would say, 'Soro soro'. 'Soro soro' came to mean for me it was a time to bring everything into perspective for what we just practiced, and sometimes another perspective of how my day went...a time for upcoming news and announcements, a time for anyone to speak freely on anything...a Thank You to every single person with a humble bow to signify respect to each other. Gives me goose bumps sometimes on how special the feeling is...spending 1 1/2 hours pushing, pulling, tumbling, touching, rubbing, strangling, throwing, hugging, smelling each others' everything, all with a smile and coming back for more in a couple of days...is that love or what? Nowhere else in the world I get this feeling."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Soro soro"
- Ron Sensei
Ron
"The Art of Aikido is not a technique but a Journey of learning and understanding of one's self...A Way of Life.
Practicing Aikido allows us to meet people. People that come into our lives, like guiding spirits, providing the missing lessons that we need. They are our partners. Our Ukes. Our Nages. With time our partners become our teachers. Our teachers become our friends.
Our friends become our family."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible battles inside all of us -
that's where it's at."
- Jesse Owens
Coby
"I love Aikido because it teaches me how to defend myself by blocking and using different moves. I think that our Aikido club is special because we can joke around and have a good time. We celebrate special occasions together like Christmas with a pizza party and the first practice of the New Year with mochi, sparkling cider, and sake."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind."
- Morihei Ueshiba
Cjason
"The Aikido Shinyukai is much more than a martial arts class. We treat you as family. And when you have a problem, we will try to find the base of it and help you grow into something better."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Nana korobi, ya oki
Fall down 7 times, stand up 8."
- Japanese Proverb
Jorrin
"What I enjoy about our club is how close the community is. Everyone does their best to build up each other and that bond continues even off the mat. Everyone is really easy to talk to, and the Senseis always seem to know what you need to work on and how to improve."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"To move forward, we need to live in the present. No matter who we are or what has happened, we need to live in the present."
- Unknown
Chris
"Aikido reminds me to be gentle in life."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"It takes no more time to see the good side of life than to see the bad."
- Jimmy Buffett
Elsa
"Our dojo draws great energy from its members. Our members are all kind, compassionate, and supportive. We all love to laugh and have fun together and that's what makes our dojo a special place to practice."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
- Marcel Proust
Guy
"I like how Aikido blends two people together, both philosophically and physically."
FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Results come from skill.
Skill comes from practice.
Practice comes from will, and
Will comes from within."
- Guy
Dedicated to Dad
Charles H. Fleming, Jr.