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 _______________________________________________________________________________
James Eaddy
Santa Fe Community College graduate.
Works in/with computers at Shands Teaching Hospital
Throughout my life I have always practiced a martial art in one form or
another. I came to first practice with Tom Huffman simply because I had
never tried Aikido. What I found at his dojo was unique from any other
I had attended previously. I found the style, attitudes, and fellow
students to be both challenging, great fun, and, for lack of a better
word, intense. That was almost 8yrs ago now and I still feel that I
have yet to fully learn all that Tom Sensei has to teach. While at his
dojo I have made life long relationships and countless memories. I
don't doubt now that Aikido was meant to be, and will continue to be, a
large influence in my life!
The location for practices is in
the Unified Training Center : 809 W. University Ave., Gainesville, FL.
32601. The building is at the corner of SW 8th Street and W. University
Ave.
Practice Times
Weapons..................................................2:00-3:45pm
.............Sundays
Empty
Hand..............................................4:00-6:00pm
.............Sundays
Advanced Empty
Hand.............................6:00-7:30pm..............Sundays
Empty
Hand..............................................7:30-9:30pm
.............Mondays
Aikido for
Lunch.......................................11:00am-1:00pm
.......Mondays & Fridays
Aikido for
Kids.........................................4:00-5:30pm
..............Tuesdays & Thursdays
Empty
Hand.............................................7:30-9:30pm
...............Wednesdays.
Weapons Take-aways (Open Advanced)..7:30-9:30pm ...............Thursdays
Iaido (Japanese Sword)............................7:00-8:30am.................Saturdays
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