Kulshan Aikikai's new dojo started up in late 2008. The dojo teaches Aikikai Aikido. Here are some photographs from our first few days open. Click on the photo for a larger view or go to the entire set.
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2008-09-29 Practicing kokyu-nage. Front foot needs to be flat and rear foot on toes. |
2008-09-29 Bowing in at the start of class. |
2008-09-29 Ukemi from kokyu-nage. |
2008-09-29 Kokyu-nage. |
2008-09-29 Demonstrating kokyu-nage. |
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2008-09-29 Demonstrating kokyu-nage. A little too much lean to the side. |
2008-10-13 Practicing kokyu-nage. The front foot is off the floor. |
2008-10-13 Practicing kokyu-nage. |
Many aikido dojos follow a tradition of misogi, or ritual purification and practice. This can range from the strenuous to very mild, from nearly no spiritual emphasis (all on the physical activity) to all spiritual in nature. Typical times for misogi are around the New Year and the equinoxes. Kulshan Aikikai has a short, but lengthening, tradition of misogi for the New Year. We go up to the edge of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualamie Wilderness area at Mt. Baker Ski Resort, put on snowshoes and head out to find a beautiful spot for a thousand sword cuts. Exact dates of the our misogi vary due to the need to take into account weather and snowpack conditions. After this we usually return to Bellingham and adjourn to further relaxation at the Boundary Bay Brewery or other like spot.
Even if you're not into the idea of creating a physically demanding situation just to claim karmic credit for overcoming your self-inflicted difficulties, the snowshoe trek always pays back the effort involved. And your aikido practice always benefits from another thousand suburi.
Here's a view of the Kulshan Aikikai 2006 Misogi. You can click on the photos to see the larger versions or see the entire set. More Kulshan Aikikai photos, including some sunny misogi ones, can be seen at the Kulshan Aikikai web site.
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| The group of us together most of the way up to Artist's Point. | This time holding bokken. | Staying warm with a mix of traditional and modern. | Aikido flag. | In spite of the cold you need to cool off after 1000 sword cuts. |
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| Alpine touring skiers moving toward us. | Breaking down the gear and getting ready to return. | Looking down on the Mt. Baker Ski Area. We are way above all the slopes. | The more ambitious getting ready to charge down the hill. | At the base after sliding down the hill. |
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| At the base after sliding down the hill. |