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by Jack Freund
Aikido of Charlotte
Archives for 2016
Training in Aikido with Type 1 Diabetes
October 5, 2016 by
What Are The Class Times At Camp 2016?
July 28, 2016 by
CAMP HOTEL ROOMS SOLD OUT AND OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES
May 25, 2016 by
AT THIS TIME WE HAVE CLOSED ALL HOTEL RESERVATIONS THROUGH THE USAF SUMMER CAMP ROOMING BLOCK.
THOSE ON THE WAITING LIST WILL BE NOTIFIED IN EARLY JULY IF ANY ROOMS BECOME AVAILABLE.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY VERY FEW CAMP PACKAGES AVAILABLE.
IF YOU HAVE A HOTEL RESERVATION (OR IF YOU ARE ROOMING WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE A RESERVATION) BUT HAVE NOT PURCHASED YOUR CAMP PACKAGE, PLEASE DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE GUARANTEED A PLACE AT THE CAMP DINNERS.
Please remember that breakfast at the Stockton Seaview Hotel is only available for reservations that were made through the camp portal, and for the mornings that you wake up in the hotel after your prior night’s reservation. All roommates must be registered with the hotel in order to stay in a room, and breakfast tickets will only be allotted to those who have a reservation.
REFER TO THE CATEGORIES BELOW THAT MAY ADDRESS YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION:
1. YOU HAVE PURCHASED A CAMP PACKAGE AND MADE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATION THROUGH THE USAF PORTAL BUT ARE CURRENTLY ON A WAITING LIST FOR FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 5TH
– please note that the hotel is doing all it can to accommodate you for your full stay but may not be able to provide an update regarding your Friday night wait-listed status until early July. As a precaution, you may want to make off-site hotel arrangements.
(See below for hotels in the area)
2. YOU HAVE PURCHASED A CAMP PACKAGE AND YOUR ROOMMATES HAVE RESERVED A ROOM AT THE SEAVIEW BUT YOU HAVE NOT YET ENROLLED WITH THE HOTEL
-please email karendepaola@usaikifed.com for information about how to add your name to the rooming list with your roommates.
3. YOU HAVE PURCHASED A CAMP PACKAGE BUT YOU HAVE NOT YET ENROLLED WITH THE HOTEL AND DO NOT HAVE ROOMMATES WITH A RESERVATION
– we encourage you to make off-site hotel arrangements for your accommodations. If you wish to be added to the camp waiting list for on-site accommodations, please email karendepaola@usaikifed.com with your desired arrival and departure dates once your alternative hotel reservations have been completed.
(See below for hotels in the area)
4. YOU HAVE NOT PURCHASED A CAMP PACKAGE OR RESERVED A ROOM (OR YOU HAVE A HOTEL RESERVATION BUT HAVE NOT PURCHASED A CAMP PACKAGE )
-you may purchase a camp package (aikido and dinner- full or half week while available) online at www.usafsummercamp.com, and make reservations at an off-site hotel. If you wish to be added to the camp waiting list for on-site accommodations, please email karendepaola@usaikifed.com with your desired arrival and departure dates once your alternative hotel reservations have been completed.
(See below for hotels in the area)
– if camp packages become sold out, you may purchase day passes which do not include the camp dinners.
-day passes remain available for those who will not be attending for either a half or full week.
Off-site hotel information:
Comfort Inn Atlantic City/Absecon Area
202 E White Horse Pike
Absecon, NJ 08205
(609) 652-3020
500 East Fairway Lane, Galloway, NJ, 08205,
(609) 748-4700
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Absecon-Atlantic City
655 White Horse Pike, Absecon, NJ 08201
(609) 383-9070
405 E. Absecon Blvd, Absecon, NJ 08201
609-646-5000
701 White Horse Pike, Absecon, NJ, 08201
(609) 645-0697
Empire Inn & Suites Atlantic City/Absecon
630 White Horse Pike, Absecon, NJ 08201
(609) 645-8008
We look forward to seeing you at camp,
Sincerely,
Laura Pavlick and Karen De Paola
Aiki-Happens
May 13, 2016 by
We are here to practice Aikido, or as I’ll call it here: Aiki-do (pronounced aiki-doo). Our practice may become what appears to be a repetitive routine. It’s important to remember that repetition is a means to an end, not an end in itself. So we practice technique repeatedly. The end is Aiki-waza.
An unschooled observer may think: “over and over, ad infinitum, this is so boring.” We know, of course, that this isn’t so at all. Each instance of the practice, each repetition, is unique. Our minds build ever broadening neuro-behavioral models of the parameters of shiho-nage, and all the other techniques, until we are able to improvise and execute seamlessly. I like to advise students to try it a few thousand times. I whisper the word “thousand” in a barely audible tone that draws giggles from the class. Do they think I’m joking? I repeat: “ Try it a few thousand times.”
As time passes we’ve had the opportunity to practice a myriad of techniques from numerous openings, with various endings. We have also been training our minds to remain in the present, to allow our bodies to execute without critical intervention. Then we begin to see that Aiki-waza is not something we do. We’re amazed to learn that Aiki-waza is something that happens.
This is due to our ability to finally remove our “selves” from the process. When we remove our selves from the process it is the “Self” that is happening. That is, if you believe that the Universe is a single entity, and that we have only an illusion that we are a discreet part of it.
It is the “ego,” our perception of a unique self, which is a product of the brain. This brain is also an extension of the Universe, which creates this illusion of separateness. It is as if the Universe has set up a mirror, a self-monitoring system by which it can look back upon and admire itself.1 But I do not believe the Universe is egotistical. Only its creation, the ego is.
When one has eliminated the illusion of self from the process, one can then join in the harmony between different vectors (Perceived Individuals) of Universal Energy (ki) within the Self (Universe). It is then that Aiki Happens.
by Ed Schechtman, Shidoin, Center Island Aikido
1 See The Book: On the taboo of knowing who you are, by Alan Watts.
Aikido Film: Compassion, Composure & Culture
May 10, 2016 by
A close look at Aikido and the practitioners from Aikido of Charlotte, a United States Aikido Federation Dojo. Directed/Shot/Edited by Brett Mullen, Red Nebula Co. | Written and Produced by Jonathan Weiner, 360 Visuals Productions/Mez Media Films
Aikido: Compassion, Composure & Culture. from Aikido of Charlotte on Vimeo.
IMPORTANT SUMMER CAMP HOTEL UPDATE
May 7, 2016 by
AT THIS TIME THE HOTEL IS SOLD OUT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 5TH AND A WAITING LIST HAS BEEN STARTED.THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF ROOMS FOR ALL OTHER NIGHTS.
IF YOU HAVE NEITHER REGISTERED FOR CAMP NOR BOOKED YOUR ROOM, PLEASE PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:
1 – Register for your Camp Package at www.usafsummercamp.com.
2 – After purchasing your Camp Package online, follow the link in the message to complete the hotel’s enrollment form and to reserve your hotel room.
3 – If you registered for a Full Week or 2nd Half Week Camp Package, please choose your hotel reservation dates based on what is currently available – that is, through Thursday night.
4 – If you are sharing with someone who has already reserved a room (including for Friday night) and you are paying with your own credit card, you still must complete the enrollment form (naming your roomates) and make a hotel reservation (but exclude Friday night). The hotel needs your reservation for informational purposes and will adjust the rooms once your enrollment form and reservation are reviewed.
5 – To be placed on the waiting list for a Friday night room, please email Karen at karendepaola@usaikifed.com with your request.
The hotel will be reviewing room availability and our waiting list and will do its best to accommodate your Friday night requests as soon as rooms open up. We will also keep you posted as more information from the hotel becomes available.
Please share this information with others who may be planning on attending summer camp but have not yet registered.
All our best,
Laura Pavlick and Karen De Paola
In Memory of Peter Tamagni Shihan, Vineland Aikikai
May 2, 2016 by
Peter Tamagni 1946 – 2016
On March 21st, 2016, the members of Vineland Aikikai announced with a heavy heart the passing of their Founder, Teacher and Mentor Shihan Peter Tamagni.
Peter was a graduate of St. Augustine Preparatory School. After receiving his BA degree from LaSalle University, he joined the US Navy. He began his career in public service as a teacher in the Vineland Public School System. He continued serving the public on the Vineland Police Department, retiring as a lieutenant. Later in life, he returned to his alma mater, St. Augustine Prep as a member of the faculty.
Peter had practiced in the martial arts of Judo, Jiu-jitsu and Aikido for over 50 years. For over 30 years, Peter was a student of USAF Chief Instructor Yoshimitsu Yamada, Shihan, participating in many seminars and workshops. Peter was the founder and chief instructor of the Vineland Aikikai, which marked its 30th anniversary in USAF in 2016. Recently, Peter was granted the distinguished title of Shihan.
In his early martial arts career Peter studied with such notable instructors as Mamoru Noguchi, Takahiko Ishikawa, and Gene Waddell.
Peter also was a certified scuba diver and a licensed airplane pilot. For several years he had his own plane.
Peter was an active member of several organizations, including his local Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, Knights of Columbus, US Judo Federation and the US Aikido Federation.
Pete’s warm, kind and generous spirit will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
New York Aikikai Endowment
March 18, 2016 by
 Dear friend of New York Aikikai,We are writing from New York with some good news about the New York Aikikai.
In 2015, the Board of Directors at New York Aikikai decided to create an Endowment Fund. This Endowment Fund will be a permanent source of support for the growth and development of the New York Aikikai and its programs. There has been a wonderful response to the initial solicitation for this fund. Thank you to those of you who have become our founding donors. We are writing to you now in order to ensure that all members and friends from around the world have the opportunity to participate in this important effort. Yamada Sensei’s work during the past 50+ years has resulted in an extraordinary institution, the New York Aikikai. Through his love of and dedication to aikido and its study, Sensei has touched and inspired many people at home in New York as well as across the United States and abroad. The New York Aikikai’s dojo, which also serves as the headquarters for the United States Aikido Federation, is a place where aikidoka from around the globe immerse themselves in the study of aikido. It is our hope that through this Fund, we will help the NYA continue realizing Yamada Sensei’s vision and ensure his legacy will be with us for years to come. The New York Aikikai is a special community that could not exist without the efforts of the many members who contribute in significant ways. In turn, the school provides a meaningful experience by growing and evolving. Whether developing the kids programs, performing community outreach, creating scholarships for inner city children, or special classes for beginners and advance practitioners, our aim is to thrive. In order to maintain both the high level of training and the spirit of community, it has been important for Sensei that the dojo continues to be open and accessible to as many members and visitors as possible. The school strives to keep the monthly dues and mat fees low, even in the face of mounting costs. As you can imagine, the expenses of maintaining a building and a school in Manhattan are high and only increase over time. To ensure our school’s economic sustainability, we humbly request that you consider a donation to the New York Aikikai Endowment Fund. Making a gift today, your contribution will help keep the New York Aikikai the vibrant place we treasure. Any amount counts. (Donate here) Or if you prefer to make a donation by check, please make it out to NY Aikikai (Memo: Endowment) and send it to the address found below. In order to help with the effort of raising funds for an endowment, the Board of New York Aikikai has formed the Endowment Advisory Group comprised of dojo members. Should you have any questions or concerns about the Endowment, this group or any member of the Board should be able to help you. The Endowment was established out of love and appreciation for a school and community that continues to enrich and inspire us. To all aikidoka, past and present, friends of the NYA worldwide, if the teachings of Yamada Sensei and the New York Aikikai have had an impact on your life, join us and donate today. We thank you for your support. Sincerely,
The New York Aikikai Board of Directors
The New York Aikikai is a Nonprofit Organization, (under the 501(c)(3) terms of the Internal Revenue Code) – all contributions to the Fund are 100% tax-deductible. The New York Aikikai may expend so much of the endowment fund as it deems prudent after considering the factors set forth N-PCL § 553(a) Perhaps your workplace has a matching program. (Click for information about matching programs). You can also consider the New York Aikikai Endowment Fund in your estate planning. (Click here for info). Of course, we will generate a letter for your 2015 tax return.
New York Aikikai Endowment Fund :: 142 West 18th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10011 +1 212-242-6246 :: donations@NYA-Endowment.org :: www.NYA-Endowment.org
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2016 USAF Shihan Appointments
March 8, 2016 by
The list of USAF Shihan has been updated to include the 2016 candidates who have received recognition from Aikikai. Congratulations to them all. Click here to view list
Aikido of Charlotte Grand Re-Opening Seminar With Andy Demko Sensei
February 19, 2016 by
On Feb 5-6, Aikido of Charlotte hosted Andy Demko, 7th Dan, Shihan, USAF Technical Committee for their Grand Re-Opening Seminar in their brand new dojo with 1,600 sq. ft. (72 tatami) sprung floor mat system. We had attendees from over 10 dojos and a great time was had by all. This was a very special event for us launching the new dojo but also celebrating Demko Sensei’s 50th year in Aikido.
Check out a highlight video here, https://vimeo.com/155044649
Jonathan Weiner, 4th Dan, Shidoin | Dojo Cho
