brooklyn aikikai's spring 2011 fundraiser

April 12, 2011

On Saturday, May 21st, the dojo community will get together, along with friends and family, for our annual spring fundraiser.The event—a lively, fun-filled evening of food, drinks and music—will be hosted by Halyards, a friendly neighborhood pub that recently opened next door to the dojo.

Proceeds from this year's Spring Fundraiser will go directly to the dojo's scholarship fund, which supports the training of young people in our programs––in some cases through full scholarships––and subsidizes adult members’ attendance at aikido seminars. As anyone familiar with Aikido knows, the benefits of practice extend far beyond the dojo’s walls, allowing the diligent student to approach life in a calm and centered way. Especially for young people at the beginning of their life’s journey, these benefits are incalculable. For this reason, Brooklyn Aikikai is dedicated to supporting our young students in every way possible.

The evening promises to be a fun one in this fantastic venue with good friends, music, and delicious hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Guests will also have the opportunity to support the dojo by purchasing raffle tickets.

We would love to see you at Halyards on May 21st, but if you cannot attend, please consider making a donation or purchasing raffle tickets.

Date: Saturday, May 21, 2011. Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Location: Halyards, 3rd Ave/6th St. in Gowanus, Brooklyn (next door to the dojo) Admission tickets: $20 each (includes 1 complimentary drink & hors d'oeuvres) Raffle tickets: $3 for 1; $10 for 4 Raffle prizes to be determined. In the past, we have had restaurant coupons, spa treatments, clothing and other exciting offers. To purchase admission and/or raffle tickets, please click here: http://brooklynaikikai.com/dojoinformation/events/SpringEvent2011.html

nardu debrah sensei seminar––saturday, february 5

April 4, 2011

lessons learned in kids' class

March 6, 2011

by Eli Bacher-Chong, age 13

I remember I first heard about Aikido when Brooklyn Aikikai gave a demonstration at my elementary school. Aikido was explained to us as "taking the energy of the attacker and using it against themselves."

After practicing it for about four years, I have learned much about it and maybe even life. I have learned that you can be physically powerful not by fighting or conquering your energy or the energy of others, but working in harmony with it and using it to your advantage. In a manner of speaking, if you cannot divert a stream to your crops, plant your crops by the stream.

I have also learned that there are times that you must push back when life pushes you around. Though I am still coming to terms with this truth, I believe that it was inspired by Aikido, and that it will greatly improve my life.

I was reminded of this lesson when I moved from the kids' class and entered the adult class in 2010. If the techniques became difficult or rough, I had to figure it out as well as I could, or toughen up and learn to face it.

Before I learned Aikido, I was fearful of the world and sometimes didn't like it because I could not control it; Aikido has taught me how to plow right through life and to work in harmony with it instead of needing to conquer it.