The AANC Website is online

The CAA Website is online!

To promote a greater sense of community...

Several years ago at one of the semi-annual meetings of the Aikido Association of Northern California (predecessor to the CAA), one topic of discussion was how to create a greater sense of community among the geographically widespread (but close, in the spirit of Aikido) members of the association. One suggestion, adopted at the time, was the publication of an "Anthology," consisting primarily of Dan papers collected from association members. The anthology was successful in pulling together examples of original thinking, reflecting the personal impact that Aikido training has had on our lives. Through the sometimes unique perspectives expressed therein, these articles shine as the very richness of our community and the Aikido experience.

Easy to submit information to and easy to find...

The enormous effort necessary to produce the "Anthology" made the first "annual" publication, the last. A similar fate befell several attempts to organize an association newsletter. Coming online with the CAA Website allows us to pursue and expand upon our vision of greater community connection. Unlike the "Anthology" and newsletter predecessors, the CAA website is easy to submit information to and easy to find. In addition to serving the CAA community, our website allows us to provide information about Aikido and our association to anyone from the general public who happens to encounter our site.

Our website is what we make it...

Join in, share your thoughts and experiences, both in words and in pictures or illustrations. Whether for the building of community or informing the world about who we are, submitting articles, papers, reports, and workshop schedules will be what brings vitality to www.ai-ki-do.org. Our website is what we make it.
Please send corrections, updates, articles, information, and suggestions related to this website to: webshihan@ai-ki-do.org

For general questions regarding Aikido, please contact a dojo in you local area.

We offer this image of a Daruma doll to bring good fortune to our endeavors at
www.ai-ki-do.org:

Daruma (also known as Bodhidharma) was a monk who came to enlightenment after sitting in meditation for nine years, while facing a cave wall. It is said that he sat without moving or blinking his eyes. During the process Daruma removed his eyelids so that he wouldn't sleep during meditation, and his legs fell off from disuse.
Daruma dolls have been popular in Japan since the Edo period. When new, the red-cloaked Daruma doll usually comes with two blank eyes. Upon purchasing or receiving it as a gift, you are supposed to make a wish, or begin a project, and paint in one of the eyes. The second eye is painted in when the wish comes true or the project is successfully completed.

The Daruma doll is also an interesting metaphor for Aikido practice:

The Daruma doll itself has a low center of gravity and is designed to right itself if it is knocked over. "Nanakorobi yaoki, jinsei wa kore kara da."
This Japanese saying translates as "To fall seven times, to rise eight times, life starts from now."
Thus the Daruma symbolizes dedication and persistence.

Further reading:
"Daruma: Determination and Zen Training in Budo" click here

- Michael Smith and Danielle Molles Smith

The CAA Website is online!
To promote a greater sense of community...
Several years ago at one of the semi-annual meetings of the Aikido Association of Northern California (predecessor to the CAA), one topic of discussion was how to create a greater sense of community among the geographically widespread (but close, in the spirit of Aikido) members of the association. One suggestion, adopted at the time, was the publication of an "Anthology," consisting primarily of Dan papers collected from association members. The anthology was successful in pulling together examples of original thinking, reflecting the personal impact that Aikido training has had on our lives. Through the sometimes unique perspectives expressed therein, these articles shine as the very richness of our community and the Aikido experience.
Easy to submit information to and easy to find...
The enormous effort necessary to produce the "Anthology" made the first "annual" publication, the last. A similar fate befell several attempts to organize an association newsletter. Coming online with the CAA Website allows us to pursue and expand upon our vision of greater community connection. Unlike the "Anthology" and newsletter predecessors, the CAA website is easy to submit information to and easy to find. In addition to serving the CAA community, our website allows us to provide information about Aikido and our association to anyone from the general public who happens to encounter our site.
Our website is what we make it...
Join in, share your thoughts and experiences, both in words and in pictures or illustrations. Whether for the building of community or informing the world about who we are, submitting articles, papers, reports, and workshop schedules will be what brings vitality to www.ai-ki-do.org. Our website is what we make it. Please send corrections, updates, articles, information, and suggestions related to this website to: webshihan@ai-ki-do.org For general questions regarding Aikido, please contact a dojo in you local area.
We offer this image of a Daruma doll to bring good fortune to our endeavors at www.ai-ki-do.org:
Daruma (also known as Bodhidharma) was a monk who came to enlightenment after sitting in meditation for nine years, while facing a cave wall. It is said that he sat without moving or blinking his eyes. During the process Daruma removed his eyelids so that he wouldn't sleep during meditation, and his legs fell off from disuse. Daruma dolls have been popular in Japan since the Edo period. When new, the red-cloaked Daruma doll usually comes with two blank eyes. Upon purchasing or receiving it as a gift, you are supposed to make a wish, or begin a project, and paint in one of the eyes. The second eye is painted in when the wish comes true or the project is successfully completed.
The Daruma doll is also an interesting metaphor for Aikido practice:
The Daruma doll itself has a low center of gravity and is designed to right itself if it is knocked over. "Nanakorobi yaoki, jinsei wa kore kara da." This Japanese saying translates as "To fall seven times, to rise eight times, life starts from now." Thus the Daruma symbolizes dedication and persistence.
Further reading: "Daruma: Determination and Zen Training in Budo" click here
		- Michael Smith and Danielle Molles Smith