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Londoners, take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the kata practices of Aikido Shugenkai (Sword, Staff and Mind/Body exercise) with its Founder (normally teaching in the US).
Prof. Kevin Jones, Founder and Kaicho of Aikido Shugenkai, is currently teaching at a London university and has agreed to offer training in the kata practices of Aikido Shugenkai in London, to those interested in developing body, mind and spirit. Jones-sensei has studied, practiced and taught Aikido for 40+ years and brings a richness and depth to sharing the profound understandings that make Aikido a vehicle for enhancing one's life.
Due to the nature of these classes, they will not cover all aspects of Aikido Shugenkai but will focus on those parts that can be studied without needing a dojo and mats. Utilizing kata (exercises) from modern Aikido and Koryu (old) systems, participants will perform both solo and paired exercises using bokken (wooden sword) and jo (wooden staff), together with taiso (exercises for developing mind, body and spirit). Performing these kata over time will begin a process of cultivation and unification of mind, body and spirit. This is a principal aspect of the Japanese Martial Ways (Budo).
This cultivation of spirit will have benefits beyond the physical aspect of swinging sticks of wood at another individual and will eventually begin to integrate into one’s life. It is here that the benefits of the training shine as the practice brings out and refines more of who you are. Some days will make you smile, others will have you frustrated, but each time you will learn something about yourself. Interested people from all backgrounds and at all levels, Aikido and otherwise, are welcome to attend.
These classes will be held, rain or shine, in an informal venue in Wapping Woods Park on Sunday morning from 10am to noon. Informal attire (sweats) and bokken and jo (if you have them) are all that are required.
Due to the nature of these classes, they will not cover all aspects of Aikido Shugenkai but will focus on those parts that can be studied without needing a dojo and mats. Utilizing kata (exercises) from modern Aikido and Koryu (old) systems, participants will perform both solo and paired exercises using bokken (wooden sword) and jo (wooden staff), together with taiso (exercises for developing mind, body and spirit). Performing these kata over time will begin a process of cultivation and unification of mind, body and spirit. This is a principal aspect of the Japanese Martial Ways (Budo).
This cultivation of spirit will have benefits beyond the physical aspect of swinging sticks of wood at another individual and will eventually begin to integrate into one’s life. It is here that the benefits of the training shine as the practice brings out and refines more of who you are. Some days will make you smile, others will have you frustrated, but each time you will learn something about yourself. Interested people from all backgrounds and at all levels, Aikido and otherwise, are welcome to attend.
These classes will be held, rain or shine, in an informal venue in Wapping Woods Park on Sunday morning from 10am to noon. Informal attire (sweats) and bokken and jo (if you have them) are all that are required.