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.
