From afontain@eaglenet.com Wed May 27 11:52:37 1998
Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 09:51:33 -0400
From: Aiki-Tony
To: AIKIDO-L@lists.psu.edu
Subject: Re: First annual Aikido-L seminar.
Yes, Mike Bartman is tall, isn't he? :^)
Then again, some of us already knew this.
Many people said they were surprised what others actually looked
like. Ivan seemed tame in person, although this didn't stop the
Budo-Babes (tm) from having their way with him. I tell you, beware
of Cady and Wendy. Those gals are strong!
For the folks that could not make it, this was a rock-n-roll event.
You needed good ukemi skills for the numerous throws on the
gymnast platform and tumbling mats. Many techniques were not
for the faint of heart.
I met Jun at the ASU weapons camp last summer but didn't
make the connection with him and the web site he has done so
much work on until this weekend. Many were surprised with his
flexibility when he lead exercises before Dennis Hooker Sensei's
session on Sunday morning. Speaking of Dennis Hooker, I asked him
for a few "secret techniques" (a phrase I have heard Saotome Sensei
babble about when he was feeling good on plum wine, but that
is another story). And man did he deliver! He promised a few
techniques I have never seen before. He did it.
I finally got to meet Tim Gion after our many e-mails and missed
connections at local seminars. Had a great time throwing each
other around the mat.
Needless to say, there are many fond memories of the connections
we all felt despite our slight differences in the Aiki arts.
During this weekend, I felt strange accepting the title of Sensei
Fontaine. Especially compared to the talent that was evident at
the seminar. Then again, I realize my 12 or 13 years of experience
is far from the 35 or so years experience apiece of the attending
instructors. I just found myself in an area of the country where
no one was teaching, so in order to continue practicing, I decided
to start teaching. This comment was echoed by other instructors
there. You don't do it for the money, you do it for the love of
practice, and it becomes a way of life. There are many people with
more years of experience who are not sensei. Perhaps they are
blessed with high quality instructors nearby they train under.
Perhaps, they have no desire to start their own school. There is
nothing magical about the title Sensei. Although it is preferable to
have the blessing of another to say you are qualified for the title,
there are times when one may find themselves someplace where
they must decide between no longer practicing Aikido or starting
something on their own. Luckily I did receive the blessing of
another instructor to teach on my own. However, I realize there
is still a great deal to learn. So, with the help of a few students,
I travel greater distances a few times a month to learn from other
instructors. Then, upon my return, I teach them. We are truly
all connected and must help one another if the art is to grow and
survive.
I digress. Did I say Mike Bartman was tall? :^)
Tony Fontaine
afontain@eaglenet.com
Godokai Aikido Club in Southern Maryland
(where we are known for our Chesapeake Bay crabs!)
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