The Japanese Canadian Association of Yukon (JCAY) is pleased to announce the upcoming Japanese Film Nights. Thursday & Friday, January 12th & 13th at the Yukon Arts Centre.

Thursday Jan. 12 at 7PM - Paprika by Satoshi Kon - When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patient's dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Groundbreaking animator Satoshi Kon directed this visually spectacular adaptation of a science fiction novel by Yatsutaka Tsutsui. 2006 - Rated R - Japanese with English Subtitles - 90mins

Friday Jan. 13 at 7PM - Maborosi by Hirokazu Koreeda - Winner of the 1995 best director award at the Venice Film Festival, Hirokazu Koreeda's feature-length directorial debut "Maborosi" is a hauntingly beautiful film about a young woman who faces an inexplicable death of her husband. 1995 - Rated PG - Japanese with English Subtitles - 110mins

The children and youth schedule for the next session is set, classes run from January 3rd to March 2nd, (adult classes run all the time, with changes, see below). The days and times are the same as the fall session. Existing students can pre-register now, with new student registration starting Dec 27th.

I'm pleased to welcome Charlie Wilson as instructor for the monday 4-5yr group. She is first Kyu and a student of Gaël Marchand in Whitehorse since 2006. She has also Studied with Tama Sensei (Shoheijuku Aikido, Vancouver, during 2010); James Constable (Lunenburg Aikikai, Nova Scotia).

During Christmas break adult classes are just tuesdays and thursdays, with a possibility of a full day seminar at some point. Contact us if you want to know hear about it. There will be more adult class changes in the new year.

On behalf of everyone at Aikido Yukon, I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

--matt wilkie
president, aikido yukon

Santa Samurai image found by way of http://dragonwritingprompts.blogsome.com/2008/12/24/christmas-songs-for-shrinks/. I was unable to locate current information on the artist.

Just a general reminder to everybody that there are no children or youth classes this friday as it is Remembrance Day. There is a lunch time adult class (and youth 13+ with clearance to attend adult classes).

In that context, here is a little bit of Aikido history: The birth of modern-day Aikido, "the Way of Harmony" took place during the years of World War II. O'Sensei's system had been called Aikijutsu, then Aiki-Budo, and was still primarily a martial art rather than a spiritual path. From 1942 (when the name Aikido was first formally used) to 1952, Ueshiba consolidated the techniques and perfected the religious philosophy of Aikido. (ref) Some say it was because of the war that the focus of Aikido changed from merely winning, defeating one's opponent and surviving, to one of harmony and peaceful resolution.

Some classes have been consolidated, check the new adults schedule: Adult Classes

Please join us this Friday, September 23rd to remember and honour the life of Rich Claxton. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have known Rich will be gathering at the Yukon Artists at Work studio, 120 Industrial Road (map), at 3:30pm.  There will be a tribute from the aikido group and the other communities that Rich was a part of beginning at 4 pm. Rich has been a member of Aikido Yukon for several years, serving on the board as vice president as well as instructing classes.

To honour Rich's dedication to Aikido, Aikido students can attend the gathering wearing their uniforms (and sandals).  During the formal part of the ceremony we will sit in a line in seiza at the front of the audience. There are bathrooms to change in.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rich’s memory may be made to Yukon Artists Relief Fund, c/o YAAW, 120 Industrial Road, Suite 200, Y1A 2T9.

We hope that you will be able to join us.

Matt Wilkie,
for Aikido Yukon

(click through to view a photo gallery of our last time on the mat with Rich, July 25th 2011, a mere two months ago.)

Registration for the Fall 2011 session is now open! Please see the relevant class page (e.g. children & youth) for details on days, times and prices. Adults can register now, but the schedule will not be posted for a few more days.

We've simplified the registration system a little, namely combining all the activities for all members into the same program, as well as uniforms and equipment. Hopefully this reduces confusion and makes the registration experience smoother.

Our apologies to those who received multiple emails about this. The system we're using now doesn't make it easy to see what's been sent already or who has been notified. We're working on a better solution, but it's not ready yet.

At the Dojo from 4:00 to 5:00 pm

Open to existing Aikido Yukon students, Children 8 to 14 yrs old.
We might add an extra children class if class capacity is maxed out.

Please register online here:

 August 15-22^nd 

Classes are open to aikidokas of all levels (ages 13-99).
Elements of instructor training will be integrated throughout the seminar.
Bring your own jo and bokken, if possible.

Mon 15th	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon 22nd
9:30-10:30	9:30-11:30	9:30-11:30	9:30-11:30	9:30-11:30	9:30-11:30	9:30-11:30	9:30-11:30
13:30-15:30	13:30-15:30		13:30-15:30		14:00-17:00	14:00-17:00
17:30-19:30	17:30-19:30	17:30-19:30	17:30-19:30	17:30-19:30			17:30-19:30

Fee options

Evenings only	$120
Week-end only	$120
Evenings + Week-end	$200
Morning and afternoons only	$150
Complete Seminar	$300
Evenings + Week-end	$200
Single 4h day	$50
Single 6h day	$75

50% off for students and youth.