Aikido of Monterey

See photos of 2009 retreat on the "Events" tab, "Photo Gallery!"

19^th Annual Big Sur Weapons Retreat

September 11-13, 2010

Douglas Ranch - Carmel Valley, California

Watch for more information about this year's retreat!

Instructors:

Danielle Molles Smith, 6^th Dan = Dennis Evans, 5^th Dan = Michael Smith, 5^th Dan

Mitch Johnson, 4^th Dan = Cathy Jaeger, 4^th Dan

"Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts." Morihei Ueshiba

History:

For 10 years Aikido of Monterey presented their annual Big Sur Weapons Retreat at Pico Blanco scout camp in Big Sur. During renovations at that camp, we changed the venue to Douglas Ranch in Carmel Valley. This year, once again, we will be presenting the Annual "Big Sur" Weapons Retreat at beautiful Douglas Ranch.

Description:

Experience 2 days of camping, training and fun at the Douglas Ranch Camp; a serene, natural setting amidst oak-covered hills along the Tularicitos Creek in beautiful Carmel Valley, 15 miles east of Carmel, California.

Activities:

Here's what we did in 2009

This year we will deepen our relationship with the jo and bokken and how those practices can inform our everyday training. We will begin with basic practice movements, move to kata and paired practices, study how open handed techniques come from the basics and then take the jo and bokken away from each other using aiki techniques. We will also coil and spiral with some practices from "Ki-flow Jo." The weapons classes will begin at 9am. This year we have a guest instructor, Frank McGouirk, Sensei, who will share a Tai Chi Dance, partner practice. McGouirk Sensei will also lead the Chi Gong stretching on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7:30.

For leisure time or non-training participants, there is a wonderful swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, and serene contemplation of the "Art of Peace," practiced in the rollin' golden hills of California.

The facilities at Douglas Ranch include a large, rustic lodge with 3 dining rooms, each with a fireplace. The meals will be simple vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. Sleeping will be on provided cots in rustic, wooden cabins, accommodating 2 to 4 campers each. Couples will be in their own cabins. The nights are cool; bring a warm sleeping bag. The modern bathrooms and showers are centrally located amongst the cabins.

Our entertainment committee will plan fun evening events on Friday and Saturday nights, this year (2009) with a Western theme.

Bring a joyful spirit and:

Toilet articles, towel, sleeping bag and pillow, flash light, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.

Clothing: dogi, warm clothes for the evening, shoes to train in and walking shoes.

Weapons: jo and bokken (if you do not have weapons, there will be some extras available for use during the camp)

Optional: games, musical instruments, swimsuit.

Check the PHOTO GALLERY for pictures from the 2009 WEAPONS RETREAT!

The Art of Peace - Morihei Ueshiba

105 Construction of shrine and temple buildings is not enough. Establish yourself as a living buddha image. We all should be transformed into goddesses of compassion or victorious buddhas.

Aikido of Monterey · 1251 10th Street, Monterey CA 93940 · info@aikidomonterey.com · 831.375.8106