Aikido Yuishinkai

Posted on November 27, 2013 by sufran

The Aikido Harmony dojo (Aikido Yuishinkai) at Sunnybank was officially opened on 2 November 2013. The full day of activities included a special children’s class, a demonstration class conducted by Williamson sensei (from Byron Bay) and student gradings from shodan (first level black belt) to sandan (3rd level black belt)…including my friend Sharma who performed a powerful and flowing nidan grading. The gradings included defending various open-hand attacks, attacks from a jo (staff) and bokken (wooden sword), and weapons kata demonstrations. It was a very action-packed and compelling day.

I can’t really do justice to the range of skills demonstrated at the opening day in just a few images, but these may give a few insights…

Williamson sensei demonstrating

Sharma (my friend who did his nidan grading) and Andel sensei working on a kokyunage

Martin sensei in action

Williamson and Martin senseis working together

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Iaido

Posted on August 17, 2013 by sufran

In early August, Yamamoto sensei 6th dan iaido and head instructor led a week-end seminar in Brisbane on Ichimon Shinkage Ryu iaido. Students not only had the opportunity to learn and practise this form of iaido kata, but also to practise tatami (mat) cutting. The seminar finished with a tatami cutting demonstration by Yamamoto sensei.

Yamamoto sense towards the end of his demonstration

Sensei addressing students at the start of the seminar

One of Yamamoto sensei’s students demonstrating iaido kata

Adjusting the tatami mate ready for cutting

One of the seminar participants having her first attempt at mat cutting…

…and a bit surprised by the outcome

Yamamoto sensei in action

Brisbane kung fu: Board Breaking

Posted on August 17, 2013 by sufran

These martial artists got some serious hang time on several of the board breaks. Breath-taking to watch, especially in the confined space in which they had to operate.