Shindokan's Gasshuku in Southern California

Sensei Geordan Reynolds of Shindokan Dojo hosted his 4th annual Winter Gasshuku (March 9-13th, 2000) in Southern California with special guest instructors Karasawa Sensei, 7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido from Seimeikan Dojo in Scarborough and Sonoda Sensei, 7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido from Hombu Dojo , Tokyo, Japan.

It was an exciting event packed with many high points including, clinics at Sam Combes Sensei's Kadokan Dojo , an exciting outdoor Embu(demonstration) on the Irvine Valley College Campus, both a physical and spiritual workout at the Zen Mountain Center 5,500 feet high in the mountains and spending time socializing with new and old friends in such diverse places (as only Southern California can offer) as the ocean (Doheny Beach),the desert(Desert Springs) and the mountains (Zen Mountain Center).

I accompanied Karasawa Sensei on this trip and had many opportunities to talk to both Karasawa Sensei and Sonoda Sensei about their experiences in Yoshinkan Aikido and see and feel their tremendous aikido. Below you will find a small sample of the hard work and fun that everyone enjoyed. Congratulations Reynolds Sensei on a fine gasshuku!

Outdoor training at IVC Outdoor training at IVC
Outdoor Training at Irvine Valley College
Karasawa Sensei throwing Ward Jardine with the Jo Karasawa Sensei throwing Ward Jardine with the Jo
Irvine Valley College Outdoor Embu Irvine Valley College Outdoor Embu
Karasawa Sensei and Ward Jardine perform a Jodo kata Koshi Nage Throwing with the Jo
Irvine Valley College Outdoor Embu
Kotegaeshi Sensei Sam Combes and Ward Jardine Sonoda Sensei
Irvine Valley College Outdoor Embu Sam Combes Sensei and Ward Jardine Irvine Valley College Outdoor Embu
Doheny Beach
Coming down from Zen Mountain Beachside Desert Springs
Karasawa Sensei at Kadokan Dojo
Clinic at Sam Combes Sensei's Kadokan Dojo Party after the workout at Kadokan Dojo
Sonoda Sensei at Kadokan Dojo
Zen Mountain Center Retreat
Sonoda Sensei, Ward Jardine and Karasawa Sensei Sonoda Sensei showing Shiho Nage
Group Picture at Zen Mountain Center
Some very talented and enthusiastic Aikidoka
Karasawa Sensei and Ward Jardine at ZMC Sonoda Sensei and Ward Jardine at ZMC

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