Press & News

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August 2007

Another student of the West Coast Aikido Academy of Western Australia was recently awarded the rank of black belt after successfully passing the requirements for his promotion.

Last month, after a lengthy examination, Liam Cormack of Kingsley was promoted to Junior 1^st Degree (Shodan) Black Belt in Aikido. Liam was required to demonstrate a number of basic and advanced techniques using empty hands and weapons. He was also required to demonstrate his knowledge of aikido history and philosophy by answering a number of questions.

Principal Instructor, Ross Taylor, praised the efforts of Liam who since joining the Academy in 2000 had demonstrated total commitment, dedication and courage in pursuit of his dream of obtaining his black belt. Taylor Sensei hopes that more young people will be inspired by Liam’s achievement and take up aikido as it is great way to improve your confidence, fitness, have fun and meet new friends.

The West Coast Aikido Academy has separate classes for children and adults.

January 2007

Another student of the West Coast Aikido Academy of Western Australia was recently awarded the rank of black belt after successfully passing the requirements for his promotion.

In December 2006 after a lengthy examination Mr Murat Aktas, of Wanneroo, was promoted to 1^st Degree (Shodan) Black Belt in Aikido. During two sessions of training Mr Aktas was required to demonstrate a number of basic and advanced techniques using empty hands and weapons. He was also required to demonstrate his knowledge of aikido history and philosophy by answering a number of questions.

Principal Instructor, Ross Taylor, praised the efforts of Mr Aktas who he said had for the past few years demonstrated commitment, dedication and courage in pursuit of his dream of obtaining his black belt in aikido.

The West Coast Aikido Academy has separate classes for children and adults.

If you are interested in joining please contact the Academy on 9309 1023 or call 0400 264 700.

December 2006

Dear Colleagues, Friends and Students,

Well we are almost at the end of another year. How time flies when we are having fun and achieving our goals.

Since establishing our own dojo (training centre) in November 2005 we have developed a unique and special place to train. A training venue that is purpose built in the traditional Japanese way, clean and safe, convenient and inviting with the right ambiance.

Creating our ‘special place’ has not been all my work. Sure I created the ‘blue print’ of how I wanted the dojo to be set-up, but a lot of the physical work was carried out by students, parents, volunteers and friends who worked tirelessly, without complaint and with minimal reward. Along with me they saw the vision and were motivated to accomplish it. I have since added the little touches that have made it even more functional and I will continue to improve it as I see fit.

There is also a lot of work that is done that is not so evident to the casual observer. For example, prior to each training session I, or a student, (who arrives early) will sweep the mats and surrounding floor, clean the toilets, dust the pictures, empty bins, polish mirrors, etc, etc. There is no end to cleaning as there will always be dust and dirt to clean up.

Personally I don’t mind doing this work as it helps me to prepare myself, mentally and physically, for the class ahead. I could quite easily consider it hard work and complain that I should not have to do such menial tasks, especially prior to teaching.

And perhaps I should not have to do this work? Sometimes I don’t as a student will take a broom from me or a duster and say, ‘I will do that Sensei’. I don’t expect this but it is nice and it makes me feel proud when it does happen.

I remember staying at Mochizuki Sensei’s dojo in Shizuoka City in Japan in 1997. Before every class we would have to sweep and then hand wash the mats. We would repeat the process after training. Also, one of the senior students would have a chair ready for Mochizuki Sensei (who was in his 90’s then) so he could sit down and observe the class.

As I was staying there at the time I had to make sure the dojo was clean, bins were emptied, toilets cleaned, windows polished, etc. These were my responsibilities and I asked no questions as I respected my teacher and our dojo.

I would also make sure that Mochizuki Sensei had what he needed, before he had to ask. This was good training for timing, focus and awareness. I would assist him up and down stairs or make him food or bring him a drink. I would do whatever I could to make life easier for him. He was my teacher at the time and I respected him and appreciated his help.

I think this is the most important part of our training. This type of duty forges our spirit, not just for self defence, but to fight off the laziness that can overcome us from to time to time.

It would be very easy for me to just turn up to the dojo each day and not bother about cleaning up. But what would you as students come to? What would prospective students and visitors to the dojo think about us? They would be thinking that it is a reflection on our training and our techniques. Perhaps they would think that it is sloppy, lazy and uninspiring.

As students of budo (martial ways) if we are sloppy or lazy in one area of our lives it will be reflected in other areas. For example, our aikido technique will be poor and inadequate and this could place us in a dangerous position. Or our laziness could carry over into work or study and jeopardize our chances of passing exams or seeking promotions at work.

Please keep this in mind the next time you walk into the dojo. Think to yourself, ‘what could I do to make our dojo a better place to train? How could I make it easier for Sensei and my senior students (sempai) so that they have more time to teach me? These are important questions you need to ask, but more importantly these are actions you need to take to improve your aikido and your life.

Please note some important dates:

• Final grading for 2006 will be held on Saturday 9^th December. The Children’s grading will commence at 9.30am. The Adult Grading will start after the Children have graded. The children’s class will be at the normal time of 9am. Those grading please arrive 15 minutes early.

• Belt presentation and final gathering for 2006 will be held on Wednesday the 20^th of December at 7.00pm. All students, children and adults can join in the regular adult beginner class commencing at 6.30pm. This class will finish at 7pm for belt presentations. After belt presentations you are invited to stay for light refreshments. Please invite your family and friends.

• The Academy will be closed over the holiday period. The final session for 2006 will be Wednesday 20^th of December and we shall recommence classes on Monday the 8^th of January 2007.

I would like to express my gratitude for your continued trust and support. You can best maintain this support of the Academy in the following ways: think about what is being taught beyond the technical appearance; look for the deeper meaning in the lessons; keep attending your classes regularly; pay your tuition fees on time; it is all part of budo (martial ways) training and please remember that recommendations are our most effective source of serious dedicated students.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season with those you love and a happy and prosperous New Year. I look forward to teaching you again in 2007.

Sincerely
Ross Taylor
Principal Instructor

August 2006

The Wangara based West Coast Aikido Academy of Western Australia recently hosted two experienced instructors from the International Budo Seifukai Federation in Japan.

Principal Instructor, Mr Ross Taylor, invited Tokyo instructors Mr Kazumi Koga and Mr Kenji Kita to teach at his Academy during the week of 24^th to 30^th July.

With many years of experience learning and teaching aikido but instructors are also skilled in a number of other martial arts. Koga Sensei has 16 black belts in four martial arts whilst Kita Sensei has 14 black belts in five martial disciplines!

All students were treated to expert instruction in the basic and advanced techniques of aikido and also weapons.

Two students, Tom Wilson of Quinns Rocks and Morgan Catling of Craigie, were tested in the presence of the two visiting instructors and were subsequently promoted to 1^st Degree Black Belt. Mr Taylor praised the efforts of both students who he said had demonstrated commitment, dedication and courage to achieve their goals.  

Mr Taylor knew what was in store for his students. “Having training under Koga Sensei in Tokyo I knew my students would receive top quality instruction and Sensei did not disappoint. At 58 years of age he gave demonstrations that would embarrass most teenagers. The bonus was having Kita Sensei instruct and demonstrate his style of aikido. Everyone was impressed not only with the instruction and quality of their technique, but also with the professional and humble way they conducted themselves. They were a pleasure to have and certainly enjoyed their stay in Perth. Hopefully we can invite them back in the near future or we shall travel to Japan?” 

If you or someone you know is interested in learning aikido please contact the Academy on 9309 1023 or 0400 264 700.

The following article was published in the Wanneroo Times

Principal Instructor of the West Coast Aikido Academy of Western Australia, Mr Ross Taylor recently returned from intensive training in Japan, where he successfully graded for his 4^th Dan Black Belt in aikido receiving accreditation from the International Budo Seifukai Federation.

“Going back to Japan was great as I was able to see my teachers and fellow students again and make new friends. However, I was not expecting to grade. It certainly was a surprise, but a pleasant one as it turned out.”

“Being a student again was great as it allowed me to relax and take in more information. Of course when your instructors have been training in the martial arts for almost a half a century it is always a learning experience. This type of training is special and can only take you to a higher level personally and as an instructor.”

“My training was very well organised which was a credit to my instructors and the Seifukai Federation. We are very fortunate to be associated with a quality organisation such as the Seifukai and it is important to maintain our traditional roots”

Mr Taylor says that aikido can be practiced by anyone regardless of age. “Too many people believe the martial arts are just for the young but this is not the case. In fact since we started in 1993 the bulk of our students have been mature age from their late twenties through to their forties and beyond. Aikido is a very vigorous exercise that can benefit anyone helping to improve you physically, mentally and spiritually”

If you are interested in learning aikido Mr Taylor can be contacted on 0400 264 700.

Last updated: Thursday, 23 August 2007
Web site by Lyn McCarthy