March Course and Gradings.

On the 19th March there was a course and grading held at Dewsbury Sports Centre. The course was well attended by White Rose Yudansha and students from outside associations as well. We are however quite disapointed with the lack of attendance from some of our own Kyu grades. It is very important that you attend courses such as these. It is essential to your own progression and will rapidly assist in your understanding of Aikido.
Just because you may not be taking examination does not mean you will not benefit from these courses.

Sensei Riley was yet again outstanding through his instruction of many different variations of techniques. Sensei Heseltine and his students from the North East also enjoyed an excellent day of first class tuition.

Also on the day there were Yudansha gradings taking place.

We would like to congratulate Stuart Robinson on achieving Yon-Dan. An excellent display of Aikido and a joy to watch. WELL DONE STUART.

You can see video clips of Stuart's grading on the 19th March course gallery page.

April 9th Course.

On 9th April, Sensei Riley has been invited to teach at the Kobukan in Seaburn. For those who were on the understanding that this course was being held at Crowtrees Leisure Centre, please note it is now to be held at Seaburn Leisure Centre.
There will be cars going up so if you wish to attend then please see either Sensei Riley or Ashley and details of transport will be given.

Dan Grade Interviews.

Finally this month we have Janet Hajdysz' interview online.

For those who do not know Janet, she is the most senior female Yudansha within the White Rose Aikikai. Read her thoughts on women in Aikido and her personal experiences in training.

Website.

There has been yet more (small) changes to the website.

F.A.Q Page.

This is a small addition which I hope everyone will benefit from. On this page you can submit questions and answer questions regarding Aikido in general or techniques you may be having trouble with.

Video Clips.

Some of you were wondering why some of the video clips were separated from the "video clips" page so this is why.

The "video clips " page is dedicated to Sensei Riley and other senior instructors like Shihan Cottier. Clips will be added to this as often as possible, however you will find a nice collection on there already.

On the Gallery, some of you have picked up on video clips placed at the side of the pictures for that specific course. Video clips of Yudansha gradings and course footage will be placed upon the relevant course gallery.

It is nice to be able to put some action to the pictures which is why I have decided to do this.

I hope this has cleared up any confusion as far as video clips and galleries are concerened.

Fun & Games.

This page is for your enjoyment. Take a look at the collection of "humourous" features on this page.

There will be links to other sites and Video clips. The page is accesible through the Contents Page.

North East Schedules.

For the students in the North East requesting a schedules page, we are in the process of trying to get this back up and running.
The only way this will work is if I am kept informed of changes to schedules up there in both Durham and Sunderland classes. There is little to no point in having a schedules page if the info is static and not upto date.

I have spoken with Nick Smith in the North East and he says that he will keep me informed of the Sunderland Schedules, so if anyone from the Durham dojo can do the same then please email me at ashley@whiteroseaikido.com.

Huddersfield Examiner.

Last month the Huddersfield Examiner attended a wednesday class for the promotion of the association.
As the association grows ever stronger, we are one of few (if any) clubs which has instructors at every class which are no lower in rank than San-dan (3rd Dan).

We as students are very lucky to have this level of tuition throughout the association. If you speak to Sensei Riley and Sensei Derrick they will tell you that when they were climbing the ranks it was an honour to see a Sho-dan teaching and people would travel miles for that tuition. Sensei Riley did not have the level of tuition then what we have today so as I have said before, I am sure I speak for everyone when I say, it is a priviledge to be part of this association.

Please excuse the quality of the picture. I have enlarged it for easier reading of the article.

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Newsletter By Ashley Scholefield.