Our New Black Belts Step Forward

Pictured at the presentation of certificates are l-r, Head sensei H. L. Macfarlane, sensei J. M. Dexter 3rd Dan, sensei D. D. Goss 2nd Dan, sensei S. S. McIntosh, J. Brook 2nd Dan, C. Ford 1st Dan

UNITY AIKIDO GRADING

On the 19^th May 2007 we held a large grading ceremony at the 50+ Centre in Hobart. Children, teenagers and adults went through their Aikido forms and freestyle in front of an enthusiastic audience of families and friends. Our honourary 10^th Dan and Guide, Murshid F. A. Ali ElSenossi officiated at the event with 7^th Dan sensei Macfarlane, sensei J. M. Dexter, now 3^rd Dan and sensei D. D. Goss, now 2^nd Dan, awarding the ranking.

It was wonderful to see the variety of skills the students demonstrated. Aikido has been likened to mist, water and ice, as it assumes delicate, graceful and powerful aspects in various modes. We saw these qualities manifested in the demonstrations of various students. The Way of Aikido guides us towards embodying these qualities in their rightful manner and place.

The Samurai Club kids showed us they can be skillful, safe and obedient so all passed their test. Their parents were possibly hoping these good manners would continue at home after the grading; and so do we! Bravery combined with good manners is the mark of the Japanese Samurai who bear much in common in their Do or Ways to enlightenment, with the Sufi Path of Knowledge. The children are encouraged to emulate the best of Samurai qualities and to have fun.

The Juniors, aged 11-15 are growing from children towards becoming responsible adults. From our new and quite able Junior student, Alberé, graceful and demure Laura, to gentle big Sam, we saw a good example of the range of abilities these students acquire in Aikido. In the Young Adults category, two long time Junior students, Ann Thresher and Sarah Turner took their adult 2^nd Kyu white stripe grade gracefully and successfully.

Adults successfully graded to 6^th Kyu blue belt were Abu Bakr Cook, David Liebehnecht, Salma Peisto and Imogen Tyson. 5^th Kyu Blue belt yellow stripe was awarded to Steven Black, 4^th Kyu red stripe to Miguelito Mercado. Congratulations to all of them!

The Black Belt or Dan grades

1^st Dan award:

Carol Ford is the first Unity Aikido mature adult Dan Grade. She has delighted us and amazed herself with her graceful skill. She is welcomed to the College of Dans. Carol has studied Aikido for 9 years since the training was held at Port Huon in the Huon Valley, the first Tasmanian Unity Aikido Dojo. It was started on 1^st November 1996 by sensei Macfarlane with encouragement from Murshid F. A. Ali ElSenossi and was officially opened by him in March 1997.

2^nd Dan award:

James Brook now intends to study the teaching aspects of Aikido as well as progressing his own skill between work and travel. James has tried many styles but tells us he enjoys Unity Aikido best.
Damien Dawud Goss, with ‘Permission to Teach’ the Samurai Club and relief sensei for the Adults Club as sensei under training. Dawud relieves sensei Macfarlane who will now give regular reviews.
Simon S. McIntosh, appointed as assistant sensei under training, to Samurai Club and Juniors Club and with ‘Permission to Teach’ as relief sensei for Adults the club.

3^rd Dan award:

Joseph M. Dexter is the first Tasmanian Unity Aikido 3^rd Dan. He is appointed as Junior’s sensei with ‘Permission to Teach’ the Adult Club as sensei under training.

Further teacher training is obligatory on all teachers/senseis and will be provided by sensei Macfarlane.

James Brook, like Carol, also trained at the Port Huon Dojo, as did Joseph M. Dexter. Simon S. McIntosh and Dawud Goss both started at the Bank Arcade Dojo in Hobart. All have worked diligently to increase their skill and understanding and are well able to assist other students in the club. Joseph M. Dexter, who has been the sensei of the Juniors or Teens, for several years now takes on some of the adult teaching to relieve sensei Macfarlane's teaching load and allow her to complete the documentation of the Unity Aikido system.

Unity Aikido was promulgated as an independent Aikido system on the twenty third of April 2005, at the first Unity Aikido Tasmanian 2nd Dan grading in Hobart, Tasmania. Since then sensei Macfarlane has been working towards the goal of increasing the teaching levels of the seniors and further developing the Seven Level teaching structure which is particular to Unity Aikido. This will enable the system to be more effectively taught to a wide range of people.

SPREADING UNITY AIKIDO

With these Dan awards and teaching appointments the focus is now on the documentation and spreading of the system. Senseis Macfarlane and Dexter travelled to Melbourne earlier this year with this in mind. They were invited by of two of sensei Macfarlane's students, senseis Mark Bean and Rob Cass. They presently study privately and also train under Unity Aikido 3^rd Dan sensei Glenys Mallen at sensei Macfarlane’s former Ashwood dojo in eastern Melbourne. They intend to open to the public and are considering applying to become Unity Aikido teachers to work with this enhanced method of teaching Aikido. The system was presented to them and also to Footscray sensei Mohamed Bonn, 4^th Dan, award of sensei John Gay 7^th Dan. A reply re the formalisation of this relationship is expected soon.

SEVEN LEVELS OF AIKIDO

The seven levels are an integral part of Aikido but the Japanese teaching method has not emphasised their importance. Sensei Macfarlane recognised them in Aikido, after her study of Sufism under Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi made her aware of their importance for the growth of the enlightened Human Being.

The Unity Aikido curriculum is now firmly based on the seven levels of development, from the 7 Lesson Foundation Course up through the seven Kyu or class grades to 1^st Step/1st Dan, and on through the seven Dan grades to technical proficiency at 7^th Dan. Sensei Macfarlane is running teaching classes for the Dan Grades to give them insight how to effectively apply the seven levels principles to each of the stages of Aikido development.

Unity Aikido BLACK BELTS

Update on the way for this page

Recent Dan Grade Ranking

Waiting for their 7th-Dans at the Opening

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Our New Black Belts Step Forward