Path of Setting Up

Year 2013, the setting up of Kentoku Budokan and the new dojo.
The new dojo has always been my dream to set up, since I started teaching Aikido.
A place where we can train and have fun during and after class. A place where the students could just hang around to talk or even train after lesson.
Setting up the Kentoku image and the club was not easy but I have friends to help me out. Most importantly was my wife cum assistant, cum accountant, cum runner & etc.
I also like to thanks my very good brother, buddy, fellow aikidokai mr Aaron Ee and his family.

With the signbroad up, name card, FB site, dojo decoration up, all but last was to wait for new intake of students.
I had my share of students coming and leaving when I was at my old club. Always reminded myself this is the natural course in Aikido, so just have to take it as it goes.
I have some of the my old students joining my group as I change. Some choose to leave and join others instead.

First part was to keep the club growing, in order to do that we need students to actually come for the daily classes. Lucky I had a interesting student from Iran who was just trying Aikido at first but grew a interest in it. He came for every class ever since.
Also interesting character that came and gone. From there onwards, we had to try out all sort of ways to be adverstie our club.

Our kid class seem not be growing at all, where else the adults number grew every month.
The hardest thing for Aikido in Johor is getting the ladies to join. Ladies normally will not be interested or once they join they don't stay long. But for some reason my ladies students is more than my male students.
Hopefully they will stay around longer.

My gratitude to my Sensei. George Sensei has been my supporting role since day one of setting up. He has given advise, support whenever i needed it. I have the upmost respect for him as a teacher and a fatherly role model. His humblness is the most respected part of him.

I took my sandan grading with the help of my fellow UAAS aikidokai. Another garding, which I will remember always.

Lastly, hoping the best for the coming days where the club will grow even better.
 

Dojo Location and Timing

Our dojo location and new timing.

1. Taman Sutera Dojo ( Main dojo)
100b,jalan sutera tanjung 8/3,taman sutera utama, 81300 Johor Bahru

Timing: Every Tuesday - 8.30pm to 9.30pm adult class
            Every Thursday - 8.30pm to 9.30pm adult class
            Every Friday - 8.30pm to 9.30pm kid class
                                   9.00pm to 10pm adult class
            Every Sunday - 1.30pm to 2.30pm adult class
                                     2.30pm to 3.30pm kid class

2. Kulaijaya Dojo
De Crosz Dance Studio
67B, Jalan Kenanga 29/7
Indahpura Kulai 81000
Johor Bahru ( Nearby Tang Shu Ba Cafe)
Timing: Every Sunday - 7.30pm tp 9.00pm adult & kid class

Contact number: 016-713 7348 or 016-735 9591





           

Opening Day...

Opening day for Kentoku Budokan is on the 21st Jul 2013, will be mark as anniversary day as well.

From the changing of affiliation, choosing of name, to the design of logo, the setting up of the dojo, designing tshirt and preparation for the opening days.
Me and my only helper, your truly wifey.
She is the only one that has gone thought every detail of the setting up.
Truly grateful for the support and the ever hard working effort.

So far the place look okie with not much things in place yet.
But overall is a nice training ground for Aikido and maybe Kendo in the future.
Most of the students are happy to have a place to train and stay around after class.

Now as the official opening approach, the place will be fully decorated and hopefully it will look nice.
Opening day with light snack buffet which start at 2pm.
Once guest of honor George Chang Shihan arrive at 3.30pm, we will move on with the opening and some demo from Sensei himself.
Short speech by Sensei and of course with the group photo taking.

Last and not least the grading for all students will start at 4.15pm to 4.20pm.
Good luck to all everyone who is taking the grading, also wish me luck for mine too.
Hoping everything turn up fine and also hope some of the guest is interested in joining us.

New Tshirt is on sale that day.

We will also have some promotion for those who sign up on the opening day...OSSUUU..


 

Rolling Away...

Forward roll, the most basis exercise in Aikido training. Everyone who train in Aikido need to do it.
Is the most basis and the hardest to teach to a student.
Sure, everyone can roll but not everyone can do a proper one.
The one that does not impact hard or lost of direction.

I have seem aikidoka who has done aikido for years but does not do a decent roll.
Over the years, I try different ways to teach the forward roll by consulting other sensei or even went on youtube to view how others do it.
I have always tell my students, I can only guide you roughly as their body is not something I can control during motion.
They need to feel it themselves and adjust their body accordingly as they move.
Some can get it on the first lesson, where else some need years to do it.
If they cannot get over the fear of falling and the pain that come with it, is very hard to do the proper roll.
Most end up doing the so call "barrel roll", the roll over your back.

Kids are the easiest to teach, as they are not afraid of the fall at all, even if they felt the pain they would very much still wanna to do it again.
Plus the fact their body is relax and soft.
Ladies who try the roll and felt the pain, would not return to train aikido anymore. Hahaha!!!!
I think the forward roll would be taught after 2 weeks or so, after they sign up for the lesson.
Then they would think twice about giving up so fast. Hahaha!!!!

I still can remember my first try at the forward roll, painful but rewarding at the end.
Once your roll is good, then come all the free throws and the fun of being thrown...

New Timetable for Aikido Classes

New timetable for Sutera Aikido class.

Every Monday - Adult class from 8.00pm to 9.00pm

Every Tuesday - Adult class from 8.00pm to 9.00pm

Every Thursday - Adult class from 8.00pm to 9.00pm

Every Friday - Children class from 8.00pm to 9.00pm
                       Adult class from 8.30pm to 9.30pm

Every Sunday - Children class from 11.00am to 12.00pm
                         Adult class from 12.00pm to 1.00pm

For more enqiuires, please contact the instructor.

New location and time schedules

We will be releasing the new location and time schedules by next week.

Looking forward to all the new changes and arrangement.

Grading for all students is set on the 21 Jul 2013, Sunday at 4pm.

We will  be giving out the leaflet on the timetable of grading and other events for that day.

Students, please spread the info and invite all parents to attend as George Chang Shihan will give some demo on that day.

Kindly submit all your forms and grading fee latest by 14 Jul 2013.

All those that are not going for grading, will still need to be present at the dojo for training in gi.

Thanks.

Dojo Crest

This will be Kentoku very own crest.

Logo and crest in order now, will be proceeding for badge making and sign broad.
With the design out, soon we will be coming out with our own t-shirt.