April was full of exciting ki aikido events. We started the month with a well-attended 15th Annual Aikido Summit Denver. Villacorta Sensei represented Rocky Mountain Ki Society and led more than 70 enthusiastic Colorado aikidoka at this popular aikido friendship seminar.
We followed this up with a Ki Aikido Demonstration at CU Boulder’s International Festival, where BKA families, students and instructors, ages 6-60, got a chance to perform their arts in front of thousands of iFest attendees. We even got to sing Satya, who turned 6 that day, a “Happy Birthday” on stage!
We start out this week with our Spring Children’s Test. Nearly 20 children from BKA have been practicing diligently for months to prepare for this rank advancement opportunity. Congratulations to them (and their parents) for their dedication and hard work! Please come and support them! Especially if you have children of your own or have been considering coming to class for a while, this is a great opportunity to see what young children can accomplish through continued practice at BKA.
In this issue…
{ This one’s chock-full of content so be sure to skim through it. }
- Children’s Ki Aikido Test Wed. 29 April
- Class w/Nabel Sensei Wed. 29 April
- Intense Ki Training Sat. 2 May
- First Wednesday Social 6 May
- All Dojo Gathering Sat. 9 May
- Adult Ki Aikido Test Mon. 11 May
- Kashiwaya Sensei Seminar 15-17 May
- BKA Demo at Boulder Creek Festival Sun. 24 May
- Bolder Boulder Bandit Patrol Mon. 25 May
- Peace Samurai SUMMER Day Camps REGISTER NOW!
- Japanese Yoga Class
- New! Four for Forty for New Students
- Review BKA on Google and/or FB
Children’s Test & Special Class with Nabel Sensei
Wednesday, April 29th
Children’s Testing – 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Testing Celebration at Pica’s
Immediately after the tests
Adult All-Levels Classes – 5:50 – 7:50 pm
Ki Development Class – 5:50 – 6:30 pm
Ki Aikido Class – 6:35 – 7:50 pm
Derek Nabel Sensei, 4th dan in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and Chuden in Ki Development, will be coming to BKA for two special events:
Children’s Testing – 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Nabel Sensei will oversee tests for approximately 20 children in our Child-Parent classes who have been diligently practicing since last November. This is a rare and fun opportunity for BKA children to “perform with confidence” in front of their peers, parents and guests, as they advance to their next belt level. We hope you can carve out the time to join us as we support and delight in the performances of the children at BKA.
NOTE to parents of children testing:
- Please join your children on the mat, bring a meditation cushion or similar and help keep them focused and still during the hour-long performance.
- There is a $25 fee payable before the test (You can pay here – just add a note with the name of the student).
- Villacorta Sensei and families will be going out to celebrate at Pica’s Mexican Taqueria on Arapahoe and 54th, immediately following the test.
Adult All-Levels Classes – 5:50 – 7:50 pm
Nabel Sensei will lead Ki Development and Ki Aikido classes for students ages 13 and up. These are open to all levels and will be held on the same evening, directly following the children’s tests. Join BKA as we enjoy Nabel Sensei’s energy and Ki Aikido insights this Wednesday.
Intense Ki Training in Westminster
{ followed by great Ki Aikido class with Lance McClure Sensei }
Saturday, May 2nd – 7:00 – 8:00 am
Sokushin no Gyo (aka Bell Misogi) is an extremely active form of meditation. It involves the continuous ringing of a bell, combined with powerful breath exhalation. Diligent practice of Sokushin no Gyo is useful to develop deep understanding of unification of mind and body, breath and maintaining a positive mind (plus-Ki). Come experience this vigorous form of meditation, led by senior instructors at RMKS Westminster. Contact us if you are interested. A $10 donation to RMKS is highly encouraged.
BONUS CLASS – 8:00 – 9:00am
Directly following Ki training, Lance McClure Sensei leads a lively Ki Aikido class for students ages 13 and up! Click here for directions.
First Wednesday Social
May 6th, 8pm
Meet at BKA dojo
Join us for some food and drinks after Adults All-Levels Ki Aikido class as we celebrate life. All BKA members, active or inactive, are welcome!
All Dojo Gathering
Saturday, May 9th
– 1:00 – 4:00 pm
The Van Alstynes have graciously offered to host Boulder Ki Aikido students and their families in their home for our next all-dojo gathering.
We’ll be celebrating spring and friendship! If the weather is nice we’ll run around outside and play, and if not, we’ll figure out plans for indoor fun. Please bring some food and beverages to share. Looking forward to gathering and playing together! All BKA members, active or inactive, are welcome!
Where:
The Van Alstynes (contact us for directions)
Ki Aikido Testing for 5th Kyus
Monday, May 11th – 6:35 – 8:00 pm
Several of our newest students have been preparing for their first degree white belt tests and they are ready for their first performance. Smith Sensei will be coming down from the Fort to administer this test. Come support your fellow aikidoka for this once in a lifetime experience.
Kashiwaya Sensei Spring Seminar
(open to children and adults)
Friday Eve., May 15th
to Sunday, May 17th
Special Class for
Children & Parents of BKA:
Friday, May 15th, 5-6pm
It is with great enthusiasm and fanfare that we announce Kashiwaya Sensei’s Spring Seminar in Colorado. As Chief Instructor and founder of Midland Ki Federation (MKF), our umbrella organization—comprised of 27 dojo’s across the USA, Canada and Brazil—Kashiwaya Sensei is one of the few full-time Aikido professionals in the United States. A major emphasis in his teaching is the development of the next generation of instructors and leaders for MKF and for Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai in Japan. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to train with one of the most gifted Ki Aikido teachers and practitioners in the world today.
For registration information and more info, click here.
Ki Aikido Demo at Boulder Creek Festival
Sunday, May 24th – 5:00-5:30 pm
At the Community Stage (click for map/directions)
BKA students of all ages and ranks will be performing Ki Aikido arts at one of Boulder’ largest festivals. Let us know if you want to participate in the demo or if you’d like to come support us in some way.
The Boulder Creek Festival is free to the public and features something for everyone. Hundreds of vendors showcase everything from community arts and crafts to healthier alternatives and technology. The festival also features carnival rides, food and beverage vendors, and a rubber duck race down the creek! Join us over Memorial Day Weekend 2015 for the 28th Annual Boulder Creek Festival!
Sign Up now for the Bolder Boulder Bandit Patrol
Monday, May 25th – 6:00 am – 12:00 noon
Volunteer for the Bolder Boulder Bandit Patrol this Memorial Day and have a blast while supporting Rocky Mountain Ki Society, our Colorado umbrella martial arts dojo organization!
What could be more fun?! Wear an official Bolder Boulder “SECURITY” t-shirt, get free bagels, donuts and coffee, free lunch, and watch more than 50,000 people run in this world-renowned race and Boulder community event!
The Ki Aikido Bandit Patrol sets up at the top of Folsom Hill right near the end of race as it enters the stadium. Our main job is to make sure all the runners have their bib numbers showing as they enter the stadium. No bib, no entry. It’s that simple.
Boulder Ki Aikido and our sister Colorado Ki Aikido dojos have been volunteering for the Bolder Boulder Stadium Bandit Patrol for several years now. It’s a great way to support the community AND a great way to spend time with old and new ki aikido friends. You must be at least 15 years old to be part of the Bandit Patrol.
We hope you can join us and support this annual fund-raiser, fun raising Colorado Ki Aikido tradition! You can register here now. Make sure you select the Rocky Mountain Ki Society option under “Which group are you with?” pull-down menu.
Register for Peace Samurai SUMMER Camps!
Hurry! Camps are filling up. Sign up here.
Session I — June 1-5
Session 2 — June 8-12
Session 3 — June 15-19
Session 4 — June 22-26
9am – 1pm, Monday-Friday. Open to children with or without any prior Ki Aikido experience, ages 6-12.
Sign up here before the camps fill up!
Review us on GOOGLE + FACEBOOK!
Please take a moment to write a BRIEF REVIEW of Boulder Ki Aikido on Google or Facebook?
Google+ Reviews (click here)
Facebook Reviews (click here)
A sincere THANKS IN ADVANCE for your time and genuine words.