2008 Articles
The Second Bridge Seminar
contributed by Al Kreever
You don't usually expect to have a complete change in your basic understanding of what Aikido is about. Yet this is precisely the intent and effect of the Bridge Seminar
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Wonderful Experience
contributed by Bernice Tom
To my heart's delight I made some new friends and took joy in sharing time with some old ones.
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2008 Aikido Bridge Commentary
contributed by Todd Jones
Observing and exploring the contrasting styles presented by the various teachers provided each of us who attended with new perspectives on our own personal practices and directions.
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View from the Bridge
contributed by Kevin Choate
It was not only fascinating to watch the Shihan watch each other, it helped me appreciate that training truly is a process and not a goal. On and off the mat, the instruction and interaction of the Shihan showed a content of character that was in keeping not only with the overall purpose of a Bridge Seminar but with the Martin Luther King Day schedule.
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Mental Flexibility
contributed by Lia Suzuki
While I was driving away from the Aikido Bridge Seminar this year, I was reminded of a certain "conversation pattern" that two of my sempai in Japan seemed to repeat every summer in the hot, humid weeks of late August.
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Sharing
contributed by D T Phong
Each instructor has his own forte, and taking the time and effort to attend seminars like these helps us open our eyes and our mind to absorb additional knowledge that is ever so important if we wish to continue advancing in this vast martial art of love.
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Coming Together
contributed by Wilko Vriesman
With delight I think back on the moment
that Francis Takahasi Shihan, in a moment of new elan and a symbol of hope, took gracefully ukemi.
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2007 Articles
2007 Aikido Bridge Experience
contributed by Stephen Fasen, Shindai Aikikai Aikido Dojo
The Bridge Seminar seemed an optimistic, perhaps even idealistic, undertaking from first description. Get Aikidoka from all over together to appreciate, learn, discuss and train Aikido without
the humidity of ego and politics that accompanies many seminars.
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Thoughts on the 2007 Aikido Bridge Seminar
contributed by Wilko Vriesman, Dutch Aikikai
The event, with the purpose to ‘bridge’ between different styles and
personalities in Aikido, formed a platform of exchange and understanding
in order to preserve and maintain the inner essence and quality level of
Aikido for the future.
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A review of the Aikido Bridge Un Pont Friendship Seminar 07
Posted by Grazia Di Giorgio on January 26th, 2007 on
Aikido Journal
I think the fact that by the end of the week everyone seemed to be noticing more the similarities rather than the differences amongst the four shihan had less to do with our tired, overworked brains than with the fact that they also were "bridging," drawing inspiration and validation from each other, and giving that back to us in their classes.
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"Dream seminar"
by Misa Suzuki, San Diego Aikikai
I couldn't believe that such a dream seminar would be really happening.
The reality was even better than my expectations...
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Aikido Bridge Un Pont Friendship Seminar 2007
by Dan Nishina, Boulder Aikikai
It could be said that there were two themes in this seminar: Sense and Reason.
Ikeda sensei and Murashige sensei's classes represented "Sense", and featured less of the external and form, and more of the internal, indistinct aspects; while Doran sensei and Tissier sensei’s classes represented "Reason", and featured teaching that emphasized the reasons and meanings of movements within techniques and the expressions of aikido principles.
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Aikido Bridge Un Pont Friendship Seminar 2007, San Diego
By Todd D. Jones, American Butokukan
Although there was no formal Kagami Biraki ceremony, I cannot think of a better way to have started the New Year than by attending the Aikido Bridge Un Pont Friendship Seminar held this week in San Diego, California. Even before arriving, it was obvious that this was to be a special event.
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Musings on the Aikido Bridge "Un Pont" Seminar 2007
contributed by Al Kreever, Arizona Aikikai
At the Bridge, I found none of the typical dojo-centric mindset I find when I cross-train at other schools. The instructors worked synergistically to present ideas. Ikeda sensei or one of the other shihans would present an approach to waza and it was apparent that the other shihan and senior instructors were providing their personal take on the fundamental principals involved while referencing each other's methodology.
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Guest Teacher Adventure
by Guest Instructor Lia Suzuki, Aikido Kenkyukai International, USA Santa Barbara Dojo
As soon as kids' class ended, John packed up all the spare shoto we had in the dojo. Belinda swung her new, used SUV into the parking lot. I grabbed my dogi bag, tossed it in the back of the SUV (on top of the massage table) and off we went! We were on our way to San Diego for the Aikido Bridge Seminar.
This was our first adventure together since the dojo trip to Japan last May. We were overdue for an adventure.
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Aikido Bridge "Un Pont" Seminar, Jan. 2007
contributed by Linda Hendricks, Univ. of Florida Aikido Club
This week of training allowed the aikidoka to practice outside of their comfort zone. Ikeda sensei encouraged us to try each technique as shown. We should find what works for us and incorporate it to our own Aikido. He reminds us that we create our own Aikido.
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