TICKETS: https://aikido-grand-opening.eventbrite.com

Hello Aikido Friends,

I’d like to invite you to an Aikido friendship gathering to celebrate the opening of our new dojo, Aikido of the Monadnock Region, located in Gilsum, New Hampshire.

The dates are September 29th-October 1st, and the gathering will be hosted by Dojo Cho, Bill Whyte, (AKA Badger Bill) and by Malory (with one L) Graham, 6th Dan and Chief Instructor, Seattle Aikikai.

Judi Malory Graham Sensei started Aikido training in 1988 with Paul Sylvain Sensei and founded Seattle Aikikai in 1997 as a community-run dojo. She received her 6th Dan from Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan in 2014 and continues to develop her own training with Yoko Okamoto Sensei and Chris Mulligan Sensei of Aikido Kyoto. Along with teaching Aikido and yoga, she has had tandem careers as a filmmaker and non-profit Executive Director. She has made films to promote women in Aikido and has been deeply committed to the social justice/youth development field.

Malory is the lead instructor for this seminar. She is also a collage artist. Collage is the art of combining different images and forms to create something new! Some of you planning to attend are quite remarkable teachers. And Malory and I like the idea of a patchwork quilt of colorful aikido teachers joining together in telling a compelling and enlightening Aikido story on the mat.

If you would like to join us in teaching a block or two, to help dedicate this dojo, we would love that! Please let us know. With your permission, we will do our best to weave you into the fabric. In my opinion, Aikido is at its best when we do it together and with love.

Good Food:
Since our dojo is 15 minutes from the nearest city (Keene) and to make things comfortable and: easy, we’ll provide a simple and tasty organic breakfast, lunch and dinner, served in the Badger Company café, 5 minutes away and at no additional charge.

Where to stay:
The city of Keene has hotels, B&B and plenty of restaurants to choose from. For closer accommodation, we’ve reserved space in a rustic, reasonably priced, Bed & Breakfast in Gilsum, 5 minutes away from the dojo. This B&B includes private rooms, a small cabin for four, and a sleeping bag suitable lodge that can accommodate seven. Contact Valarie for details and to book. 603-209-7272

The dojo mat is an overnight possibility also and you are welcome to camp on the Badger grounds nearby.

Schedule:
The format will be summer camp style, with blocks for both weapons outside and mat work inside, scheduled throughout the day, with evening classes Friday night and with classes Saturday and Sunday mornings. The tentative schedule is Friday night, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM. Saturday early morning, 6:30 AM-7:30 AM. Breakfast at Badger, 7:30 AM-9:00 AM. Saturday classes 9:30 AM-12:00 noon. Lunch Break, Noon-2:00 PM. Afternoon Classes 2:00 PM-5:00 PM. Dinner at Badger at 6:00 PM. Sunday early morning Classes 6:30 AM-7:30 AM, Breakfast 7:30 AM-9:00 AM, and Sunday classes 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon.

Cost:
I’d like to ask for a donation of $160 for the whole event, to include meals. Or $30 for Friday night or for the Sunday sessions. And it really is a voluntary donation. Pay what you can afford! TICKETS: https://aikido-grand-opening.eventbrite.com

A Little History:
Our previous home dojo, Monadnock Aikikai, was founded by my teachers, Arnold and Elizabeth Dinowitz, students of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and was in continuous operation for over 34 years before closing in 2020. Aikido of the Monadnock Region was inspired by and owes its lineage to our original dojo. We began classes in this new dojo in May of this year. We are unaffiliated and open to all.

This will be both a dedication, and an opportunity to celebrate Aikido as a profoundly nourishing movement art. I am in my 75th year, and 30th year doing aikido. Although I began taking classes at New England Aikikai in 1975, my regular study of aikido began in 1993 at Monadnock Aikikai and it paralleled my development of the W.S.Badger Company. Aikido was my ally and rock during all those years. So Badger gets to be a part of this gathering!

https://www.badgerbalm.com/pages/who-we-are

By the way, my leaping coyote art in the poster represents how I feel about Aikido! We merge with nature and strive to make things better. We reach for the moon and stars.

I hope to see you there!

Bill

https://www.facebook.com/events/1262157544475724/?event_time_id=1262157554475723