studentcomments

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.

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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

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Linda Lipton
Nikyu

Aikido practice is what you take from it, I have heard Tom sensei say. From the start it was like entering another world for me. I was not expecting it to change me, just give me some karate moves. I didn't think I would meet so many nice people. "What is aikido" was a question I asked, and was told something about it being rounding of motion. I didn't understand that for a long time. With encouragement from Tom Sensei, I was able to forget myself and work at discipline. I also learned about Japanese history and custom through Tom Sensei, who has great personal experience and who talks about aikido and people in aikido he has known, practiced with, and read about. Over time, I heard of Iwama and uchideshi, the living at the dojo to serve and devote yourself to aikido learning in the Japanese way. I saw an opportunity. Tom Sensei pointed out the way, contacted people for me, gave me train maps. I went to Japan for 3 months. I can only say thank you, Hitohiro Sensei, for the excellent experience and to the people who helped me along way, especially Satoshi Takamori Sensei and his family. I could not have done it without Tom Sensei.
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.

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Reasons I Practice Aikido

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

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To Contact Sensei Huffman:

Phone: 352-332-8695

Cell: 352-494-7816

E-mail:

sensei@aikidoofgainesville.com

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
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