Ben Meoll with sensei Hanifa Leoni , new black belt & certificate of 1st Dan |
Update on the way for this page
Recent Dan Grade Ranking
Waiting for their 7th-Dans at the Opening
Left-r Sensei H. L. Macfarlane 7th Dan Headmaster, sensei Joseph Dexter 3rd Dan, sensei Rob Cas 3rd Dan Melbourne, sensei Simon S. McIntosh 2nd Dan, James Brooke,2nd Dan, Carol Ford 1st Dan and stepping on sensei Dawud Goss 2nd Dan
Dan grades James Carolan and Christine Benbow, both 1st Dan
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
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 19th May 2007 we held a large grading ceremony at the 50+ Centre in
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 2nd Kyu white stripe grade gracefully and successfully.
Adults successfully graded to 6th Kyu blue belt were Abu Bakr Cook, David Liebehnecht, Salma Peisto and Imogen Tyson. 5th Kyu Blue belt yellow stripe was awarded to Steven Black, 4th Kyu red stripe to Miguelito Mercado. Congratulations to all of them!
The Black Belt or Dan grades
1st 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
2nd 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.
3rd Dan award:
Joseph M. Dexter is the first Tasmanian Unity Aikido 3rd 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
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
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
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 1st Step/1st Dan, and on through the seven Dan grades to technical proficiency at 7th 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.