6th Degree Black Belt Visits Castle Rock

Please join us for a special Aikido Workshop at Castle Rock AIKIDO with 6th degree black belt, John Sabo Sensei of San Diego on Monday, June 29th 2009 from 7pm - 9pm.

John Sabo Sensei (pronounced 'Say'-'bo') began his martial arts training in Kempo Karate in the early 1960s and his Aikido studies at San Diego City College under Dick Kadalubowski Sensei and John Damien Sensei in 1974.

Sabo Sensei has a strong background in Ueshiba Aikido, Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and numerous other Aikido styles. He is a member of Mira Mesa Aikikai, which is a part of the greater Ki Society under Koichi Tohei Sensei. Currently, he is the instructor of Aikido Jugensoku, "gentle principles," of San Diego, California.

Workshop Cost:
FREE for Castle Rock AIKIDO and Center for Aikido & Tang Soo Do students
$10 mat fee for Aikido students of other schools
For Questions or Information:
Call (720) 221-3665
or e-mail us: CRaikido@comcast.net

You can pre-register for this event at: http://www.craikido.com/Sabo.html

Bushido: An Antiquated Values System?

A Critical Review of the Classic Samurai Text:
Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe - Part One
Article by Sean Hannon

Many martial arts students have romantic notions of, and frequently espouse, the virtues of Bushido – the traditional, behavioral code of ancient Japanese samurai. These individuals often claim to live and abide by such values and sometimes even pass judgment on themselves and others claiming Bushido values as their standard of judgment. But do people today really know what those values were? Or, what those values might mean today? For example, some martial arts students and instructors profess unquestioned loyalty as a virtue of Bushido. However, is unquestioned loyalty always intelligent? If, at times, unquestioned loyalty is not intelligent then wouldn't that also suggest that Bushido, at times, is not intelligent?

And, what about honor? Does honor really exist as a legitimate virtue? Or, is honor just a more sophisticated way of inflating or defending one's ego? Are these and other alleged virtues of samurai culture relevant outside of the oppressive, feudalistic society from which they emerged? Do people really understand these behavioral virtues as they existed? That is, in a context of feudalism? Is it really possible to live Bushido today as it was in the 12th through 19th centuries? Is it possible that Bushido is an antiquated system of values that is either no longer relevant today or at the very least in need of adaptation and modernization? Can Bushido exist in cultural environments based on freedom and capitalism? This series of articles will explore questions like these and will propose possible answers for consideration. We will summarize Bushido's major principles, concepts, and values as articulated in the classic Japanese text, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, and evaluate their applicability in today's modern world.

Read the full article here.

Basic Rolling and Falling Aikido Workshop

Just a quick reminder that Castle Rock AIKIDO will be hosting a Basic Rolling and Falling (or UKEMI) Workshop this Saturday, June 6th, 2009 from 1pm-3pm.

Due to the large number of new, beginner-level Aikido students that have joined Castle Rock AIKIDO in recent months, we thought it would be valuable to have a special class dedicated specifically to mastering the basics to falling and rolling.

All students are welcome to attend. However, it is strongly encouraged that any students training for less than six months make every effort to attend this FREE workshop.

Basic rolling and falling is a critical first step in one's Aikido training and mastering such early dramatically accelerates one's skills and greatly reduces the likelihood of injuries.

Some advanced falling, called breakfalls, will be demonstrated at the end of the workshop by more advanced students.

This workshop is FREE to all active or inactive Castle Rock AIKIDO students. The workshop is only $10 for students who train at other Aikido schools.

Regular Saturday morning classes at 10am and 11am will be held as scheduled with the Ukemi Workshop to follow.

Hope to see you all there! http://www.craikido.com/ Call 720-22-3665 for more details.

From Daily Stress to Daily Joy! Zen Meditation Classes

Monday evenings at Castle Rock AIKIDO in June! "Zen with Len"

These 30 minute, intensive Zen meditation classes are intended to succinctly cultivate a stronger sense of self-awareness and rejuvenate one's spirit for the week ahead.

Here's what you'll get in these short bursts of intense Zen practice:

• 10 min of sitting meditation (includes brief instruction)
• 10 min of the ancient movement meditation of Qi Gong
• 10 minutes of conscious mindfulness with discussion

Classes are led by "Kensho" Len Silverston. Len has been practicing, studying and applying various styles of meditation for 20 years, which has transformed his life. He is an authorized teacher of Zen through his instructor, Roshi Jun Po, a Zen master and lineage holder.
Len has co-taught and led spiritual group sessions at numerous Zen retreats sponsored by Hollow Bones.org, attended nearly twenty, week-long silent meditation retreats, and participated in dozens more multi-day workshops and retreats.

CLICK HERE for more information about these classes.

When: Monday evenings in June - 6/1 6/8 6/15 6/22 & 6/29 from 5:15pm -5:45pm at
Castle Rock AIKIDO

Cost: Classes are $5 each (cash only please)

Walk ins welcome. No appointment necessary.