Overall, it turned out to be such a nice day and left same after taste as when we have big successful aikido camps. The jo instructor John Bear's approach "jo with movement" was practical and fun. It suddenly all made sense when techniques have a hip movement. We learnt about 8 different techniques all together in 3 hours though time flew by. After lunch, I knew we were going to have aikido session but I wasn't aware that jo teacher and his students were going to try aikido as well. Surprisingly it turned out to be wonderful training through the first time practitioner's sincere effort.
If Ichigo-ichie (one encounter, one chance) means that every encounter with someone, even a friend whom you see often, should be treated as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence as if today were the last time you might meet, that would be the word for the day.
Photo:Graham Monaghan
