I am overwhelmed
with
gratitude to my students. Ten thousand "Thank You's"
are not enough!!!
_____________________________________________________________________
Yuto
Kamishina
1st grade age 7
I like Aikido because I can learn different kinds of
techniques. I like
Aikido because I can move a lot. After Aikido I tell
my mom what I did
at Aikido.
Aldo Perez III
Nurse & Master's Degree Student at Shands
Teaching Hospital,
Gainesville, FL.
Sensei, I've finally had a chance to sit down and
look at the
testimonials from Sunset Cliffs aikido. Here's
mine...
I have practiced
various martial arts
since I was five years old. All of them emphasized
striking and
defeating your opponent by meeting violence with
violence. My first
exposure to Aikido was Steven Segal's brand of
street brawling, arm
mangling movie antics. It was completely different
from anything I'd
ever seen, and it peaked my interest. Then as I
tried to learn more
about Aikido what I found was so much more than
what Hollywood made it
out to be. I discovered an art that emphasized a
new concept... protect
your enemy from himself and teach him a better way
of life. No where
had I ever heard of a mission like that from any
martial arts
instructor I ever studied under. What started as
an interest in a novel
fighting form became a long-lived desire to learn
a better way to
defend myself, a better way to be. In short, a
martial art that lived
up to proclamations of peace and harmony within
and with the world
around us. I thought I might never get the chance.
Then the day came in
2004 just outside
my chemistry class at the local community college
when I found my
chance. The flyer was buried amongst a myriad of
others, but there was
no mistaking that it was for training in Aikido. I
promised myself if I
did well on my second exam of the semester I would
go. Needless to say,
I did very well on that exam.
The first day I walked into practice is when I met
Sensei Tom Huffman.
As friendly and unassuming a man as any I'd ever
met. We talked
briefly, then we began training... and I've
continued training with
Sensei for the three years since. Every single
practice session, I
learned something new, about the art, about
myself, about life in all
its facets. I studied in earnest the principles
and concepts of Aikido
from as many sources as I could. I saw video clips
of other branches of
Aikido, and the differences between "effective
Aikido," and techniques
that were not so became readily evident. The level
of instruction and
the detail and patience that Sensei puts into each
student's education
in Aikido is unparalleled by anything I have ever
seen in any dojo of
Karate or Tae Kwon Do.
Never before did I
have a sense of
true ability in a martial art before coming to
practice Aikido. The
techniques are solid, effective, and most
importantly, continually
evolving. Sensei and his deshi, from rokyu to
iikyu, discuss and refine
techniques for effectiveness and precision. Every
person's observation
counts. Techniques are strengthened through the
combined efforts of all
those practicing, and it is done without envy or
ego... and I
personally believe that is what O'Sensei intended
for future students
of his art to do.
The Aikido
techniques in the Iwama and
Nishio styles taught by Sensei Huffman, are
strong, effective, and
uniquely elegant in the execution of their
techniques. The spirit of
the dojo in every practice session is as warm and
inviting as a
gathering of close family members. Personally,
Aikido, and my practice
sessions with Sensei Huffman, have made an
incredibly positive impact
upon my outlook on life and how I face the
challenges I meet daily. I
cannot imagine ever ending my study of Aikido, and
I am thankful that
my training is being built on the solid foundation
provided by Sensei
Huffman's dedication to the art.
There it is. I wrote
it
stream-of-thought, so I hope it makes sense and
isn't too long. Feel
free to edit out and rearrange as you think might
make it better. See
you at practice Sunday.
Aldo
Linda
Lipton
Nikyu
Our sensei wants to make each practice better than before. We now watch Nishio Sensei, one of his sensei, on tape in class, and Tom Sensei demonstrates for the advanced class. This is very instructive. I feel there is so much more to aikido that I will take from practice. _______________________________________________________________________________
Yuki Sekiguchi
From an inland, central prefecture on Honshu
(main island), Guma
Prefecture, Japan
English student at SFCC.
One guy brought a forgotten spirit from
overseas.
This guy is sworn to valor.
His heart knows only virtue.
His blade defends the helpless.
His might upholds the weak.
His word speaks only truth.
His wrath undoes the wicked.
This guy sees a future of children and teaching
forgiving martial arts,
the way of Aiki.
It's easy to get angry or have a grudge, but
this is very destructive
and throws the heart into turmoil.
Even though forgiving is harder than revenge, it
is constructive and
keeps the mind peaceful.
He teaches acceptance.
An enemy comes; therefore he accepts him.
An enemy leaves; therefore, he lets him go.
In the ancient times, samurai were supposed to
be like that.
Appearance and forms have been changed, yet the
samurai's spirit will
never become extinct.
The sky must be blue forever and clear
endlessly.
Liz Schuck
Dillard's, Dock Associate
1. The sound effects. Seriously, how can you not laugh when hearing those interesting sounds coming from people?
2. The friendships. Ah, the bonds we make. When a friendship begins by a heel in the top of a head, it's bound to be the beginning of a strange and beautiful relationship.
3. The benefits. Let's face it, it fulfills various aspects of life. Fitness, thought processes, and the ability to overcome anything and everything that life has ever and will throw your way (you simply throw it back).
Aikido has had a profound effect on my overall being. While I was on my way to getting out of my shell, this was a real jumpstart. My life had started out kind of rough. My parents split when I was in kindergarten, my dad died when I was in 5th grade, I moved in with my mother and abusive step father. I was beaten at least once a day, sometimes more. I was depressed and developed a severe temper, which I manage to keep under tight control, and much better since I discovered Aikido. I am a much happier person, more active, let's face it, I am an Aiki Addict. I am a much better person for it. The people I have practiced with have played an integral part to my journey here, and many, many thanks to Huffman Sensei.
Thank you,
Liz Schuck
_______________________________________________________________________________
The location for practices
is in
the Unified Training Center : 809 W.
University Ave., Gainesville, FL.
32601. The building is at the corner
of W. University
Ave and
SW 8th Street.
New Practice Times (1.5hr.
classes)
Sundays...............................Weapons.......................................................2:00-3:30pm
Sundays ..............................Empty
Hand.................................................4:00-5:30pm
Sundays ..............................Advanced Empty
Hand................................6:00-7:30pm
.................
(Must pass 3rd proficiency test to participate in
advanced class)
Mondays & Fridays........... Aikido
After
Noon........................................1:00-2:30pm
Mondays..............................Empty
Hand.................................................7:30-9:00pm
Mon, Wed, &
Fri.................Aikido for
Teens...........................................4:00-5:30pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays.......
Aikido for
Kids.............................................4:00-5:30pm
Wednesdays ........................Empty
Hand..................................................7:30-9:00pm
Thursdays......................Open(Weapons Take-aways,
test practice, etc.)..7:30-9:00pm
Mondays & Wednesdays ....Iaido (Japanese Sword $10 per
class)...........6:15-7:15pm
