Aikido is a way of personal development through a traditional Japanese martial art. Aikido is often translated as the Art of Peace, and described as the Meditation in Motion. The purpose of this art is to bring balance to one's mind and body, and by extension to promote peace and harmony in the world. Studying Aikido teaches one how to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner by harmonising with an attacker's force to neutralise it. This art is so vast and deep that one can continue studying it for many years, always discovering something new! Since Aikido is based on working with universal energy (KI) rather than relying on muscle strength, individuals of any fitness level can practice.
VWA is honoured to co-host this year's CAF fall seminar with Osawa Sensei (8th dan, Hombu Aikikai). The seminar is planned for October 28-30, 2022, at the VWA Dunbar dojo (Immaculate Conception Parish gym, 3778 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver). Please find below the information about the seminar schedule, dan testing, fees, registration, and accommodation. Please note that October 10, 2022, is the early registration deadline.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE:
| 10/28, Friday | 10/29, Saturday | 10/30, Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 - 9 pm: class by Osawa Sensei | 9:30 - 10:30 am: warm-up class by a designated instructor | 9 - 10 am: warm-up class by a designated instructor |
| 10:45 am - 12:15 pm: class by Osawa Sensei | 10:15 am - 12:15 pm: class by Osawa Sensei | |
| 12:15 - 1:45 pm: lunch break | ||
| 1:45 - 3:15 pm: class by Osawa Sensei | ||
| 3:15 - 3:20 pm: group photos (one with everyone, and one with U18's only) | ||
| 3:20 - 3:35 pm: U18's demo | ||
| 3:40 - 5:15 pm: dan testing by Osawa Sensei & EC members | ||
| 6 pm: banquet @ Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant. $40/person. |
DAN TESTING: Approval to take a Dan test must be requested at least one month in advance of the testing date. Click here for more information.
Tests pour ceinture noire (Yudansha): L’autorisation de passer un test Dan doit être demandée au moins un mois avant la date du test. Cliquez ici pour plus d’informations.
FEES: Early registration (before 10/10/2022): Full seminar $180; Sat & Sun $150; 1 day (Sat or Sun) $100; Fri only $40. Late registration (10/10/2022 or later): Full seminar $216; Sat & Sun $180; 1 day (Sat or Sun) $120; Fri only $48. The concession rate for under 18 year-olds and full-time students is 50% of the regular rates (early/late) posted above: full seminar $90/$108; Sat & Sun $75/$90; one day (Sat or Sun) $50/$60; Fri only $20/$24. NOTE: We prefer the fees to be paid by electronic transfer to [email protected]; if you wish to pay by credit card (via PayPal), a 5% extra will be added to the posted fees to offset the PayPal processing fees.
SEMINAR REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Please use the following link to register for the seminar with Osawa Sensei. Remember that the early registration deadline is Oct 10, 2022 (after that date the mat fees increase by 20%).
ACCOMMODATION: There are several Bed and Breakfast establishments not far from the dojo. At UBC (about 12 minutes drive) there are a range of rooms from a hostel (Pacific Spirit Hostel) to one bedroom (Carey Hall) to boutique guest house (Triumf House) to luxury single bedroom suites with kitchen and living room sofa bed (Westcoast Suites). At Jericho Beach (15 minutes drive), there is a large hostel (HI Jericho). Vancouver and Richmond have a selection of hotels with various price ranges. Some billets will be available; contact Liz McKinlay by email [email protected]
BANQUET: The banquet venue (for Saturday night) is Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant (2046 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Y7). The cost per person is $40. Please pay by e transfer to [email protected] If you have any questions, please contact Liz McKinlay at [email protected]
More details to follow.
We are continuing with Aikido classes at VWA Dunbar three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). We are offering both basics classes (aimed at beginners) and regular classes (for all levels). New members (of any experience level) are always welcome! Please see the class schedule and our policies below.
The address of the dojo is 3778 West 28th Avenue (which is the parish address), but the actual gym is in the next building west (and the gym entrance is halfway between the 28th Ave and the 29th Ave). Please look for us! There is plenty of street parking on the 28th and 29th Avenues.
See you on the mats!
SFU Aikikai (a VWA-affiliated dojo, with Valentine Kabanets Sensei as the head instructor) continues to offer Aikido classes, starting Sept 20, 2022. The emphasis of these classes is on the Aikido basics. Beginners are especially welcome!
The classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-8 pm, at SFU Burnaby Gym (Central Gym).
You can register through SFU Athletics and Recreation using this link .
Please register on line via this link . Please see the schedule & fees section below for more details.
| date | instructor | title | place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28-30, 2022 | Osawa Hayato Shihan | CAF fall seminar | VWA Dunbar (Immaculate Conception Parish Gym), Vancouver, BC |
| day | times | level | location | instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 18:00–19:00 | basic | VWA Dunbar | Megan Sekiya Sensei |
| Mon | 19:15–20:45 | all levels | VWA Dunbar | Valentine Kabanets Sensei |
| Tue | 18:00–20:00 | all levels | SFU Aikikai | Valentine Kabanets Sensei |
| Wed | 18:00–19:00 | basic | VWA Dunbar | Megan Sekiya Sensei |
| Wed | 19:15–20:45 | all levels | VWA Dunbar | Valentine Kabanets Sensei |
| Thu | 18:00–20:00 | all levels | SFU Aikikai | Valentine Kabanets Sensei |
| Fri | 19:45–21:00 | all levels | VWA New West | Ramin Arvin Sensei |
| Sat | 10:30–12:00 | all levels | VWA Dunbar | Valentine Kabanets Sensei |
Classes at VWA Dunbar are taught by our Chief Instructor Ishiyama Sensei whenever he is in town.
See this VWA notice regarding our COVID policy.
| program @ VWA Dunbar | period | amount |
|---|---|---|
| gainfully employed adults (students, unemployed, retired) |
monthly | $100 ($60) |
| 4 months | $360 ($200) | |
| intro six classes | Jan or Sep | $80 |
| drop in | one class | $20 |
For the full program at VWA New West, the fees are to be paid directly to the Centennial Community Centre via this link.
The students registered at VWA New West only, or at VWA Dunbar only, may take classes at the other VWA dojo, paying a drop-in fee of $10 per class.
For the program at SFU Aikikai, please register directly with SFU Recreation. The same drop-in arrangmement applies to SFU Aikikai students.
Beginners and visitors are welcome. Drop-in visitors will be required to sign a waiver at the dojo before practising. Please observe proper etiquette and adhere to the dojo Code of Conduct .
All dojo members are required to pay Canadian Aikido Federation and BC Aikido Federation annual dues.
New members must complete and sign a membership form and waiver . This may be done on arrival at the dojo, or you may save time by completing the form online and either printing it or emailing it to us.
The children's classes use a different membership form and waiver , which must be completed by parents before their children join the classes.
Exceptions to these policies will be considered on an individual basis (see Sensei before the class).
VWA 2018 spring seminar & 2020 outdoor classes
