CANADA Division
Just over 730 days ago, many of us were faced with a truly unusual situation: a pandemic!
Two years after this official observation by the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination campaigns were conducted, new behaviors were adopted and the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel finally appears.
Read MoreMarch 11th marked 1 year since the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This sad anniversary has been marked with sober ceremonies around the world in honor of the many victims of the coronavirus. Today marks 1 year since our first posting here on the matter.
Read MoreThe word above has certainly not escaped your attention in the past few days (or weeks, depending on your location). Its unprecedented impact is felt in almost all geographies and spheres of society, including ours: Budō.
Several of the local and international activities of FAGRI-IGRAF are therefore at great risk of being postponed or temporarily suspended, if it is not already the case. We will therefore do our best to keep you updated of any changes to the Federation’s event calendar. At the same time, we encourage you, students and teachers, to find creative ways of persuing your personal path during this period of turbulences, while also caring for your safety and that of others.
Read MoreMOCHIZUKI Minoru often stressed to his aikido students the importance of gaining a solid foundation in Judo.
After several years of practice under the supervision of Réjean HAMON sensei, we are proud to announce the recent promotion to the rank of Shodan (Judo Quebec) of a total of five (5) students and professors of the Gyokushin Ryu Aikido Academy (AAGR) of Montreal.
Christian PATENAUDE
Martin LE CARPENTIER
Raymond DELORME
Serge LeBLANC
PIOU Harvens
Congratulations for your devotion and perseverance!
Read MoreIt is with great excitement that we start counting down to the 2018 edition of the Gasshuku, which will take place this year in Shizuoka!
Once again, we would like to thank you, the participants, for your great enthusiasm that promises a most memorable training camp. We also thank you for your great patience regarding the Gasshuku schedule details, which are now available.
Do not hesitate to bookmark the pages that will be most relevant to you (or even print them!) We will, of course, keep you informed of any changes if necessary, via our website and facebook page.
A great thank you and see you all soon!
Clôture du stage de samedi
Saturday clinic closing
Sensei offrant des détails sur les Emono Dori
Sensei providing details for Emono Dori
Sensei offrant des détails sur les Emono Dori
Sensei providing details for Emono Dori
Sensei offrant des détails sur le Kime no Kata
Sensei providing details for the Kime no Kata
Sensei appréciant l'enthousiasme des participant-e-s
Sensei sharing in the enthusiasm of the participants
Sensei offrant des détails sur le Kime no Kata
Sensei providing details for the Kime no Kata
Sensei offrant des détails sur le Kime no Kata
Sensei providing details for the Kime no Kata
Démonstration de Ken Tai Ichi
Ken Tai Ichi demonstration
Démonstration de Ken Tai Ichi
Ken Tai Ichi demonstration
M. TÉTRAULT prêtant généreusement ses habiletés comme traducteur
Mr. TÉTRAULT showing great generosity by acting as translator
Tenbin Nage
SAIZ Sensei offrant quelques instructions à une ceinture de couleur
SAIZ Sensei providing instruction to a colored belt
Seiza
Clôture du stage de lundi
Monday clinic closing
Une forte présence féminine fut appréciée durant le stage!
A strong showing of women practitioners was most appreciated!
Dear Gasshuku 2017 participants, the time has now come to reflect on our event and we’d like to share a few thoughts on this extraordinary seminary given by Washizu Terumi Sensei.
To withdraw unto ourselves cannot go along with betterment and improvement, MOCHIZUKI Minoru understood this well. The evolution of his art was based on the passion of all practicing Yoseikan martial arts, whether it be in Japan, abroad or from 6th Kyu to Shihans.
One of his famous sayings clearly summarises his philosophy:
“To improve, one must visit the world. In this manner, it is understandable that martial arts does not belong to one specific nation, but is born from sharing with others.”
Throughout the seminar, the teachings of WASHIZU Sensei contained the values of sharing and freedom; virtues that Kancho held dear. Our sensei’s humility and extraordinary generosity was in fact contagious. The opportunity presented to us made us realize, that such a strong link with a teacher of his stature, is truly a privilege and we are deeply thankful for that.
Many schools were united for the first time. Though many have been training as independent entities for some time, they all share the same will to transmit Yoseikan – Gyokushin Ryu teachings, in the way paved by MOCHIZUKI Sensei. We deeply believe that this determination reflects the immense passion of all those who spent time on the tatamis; during the Gasshuku, this could clearly be felt in the atmosphere.
Lastly, we’d like to extend a considerable thank you to Sensei as well as SUGIYAMA Norio san and KAJIYAMA Kinzo san for this memorable experience. We’d also like to thank you who, in some cases, travelled from far distances and made the time to participate to Gasshuku 2017. It was a true pleasure to welcome you in Montreal, your energy was inspiring throughout the event!
We’ll see you soon in Japan for the 2018 Gasshuku.
Kind regards,
Read More
The International Gyokushin Ryu Aikido Federation (IGRAF) is pleased to announce the arrival of WASHIZU Terumi Sensei in Canada for his very first North American seminar.
Following the immense success of the 2016 Gasshuku held in Shizuoka, Japan, which brought together students from all over the world, aikido practitioners from all walks of life are invited again to follow the teachings of Gyokushin Ryu aikido founder, WASHIZU Sensei, who will lead an open seminar in Montreal on August 12th and 13th.
WASHIZU Sensei, holder of a Menkyo Kaiden awarded by Master MOCHIZUKI Minoru, was one of the pillars of the Yoseikan's evolution for more than three decades. In addition to his vast technical expertise, WASHIZU Sensei also inherited the values of sharing and freedom dear to Kancho. This will be a rare chance to meet with a master in his own right.
Looking forward to seeing you there in great numbers!
Read MoreWelcome to the IGRAF web site, home of the International Gyokushin Ryu Aikido Federation.
For nearly 40 years, WASHIZU Terumi Sensei devoted himself to the study of budo under MOCHIZUKI Minoru Sensei.
A few years after the passing of his teacher, WASHIZU sensei created his own school called Gyokushin Ryu Aikido, allowing him to keep alive a teaching based on tradition and perpetuate the legacy of open-mindedness MOCHIZUKI Sensei was known for, not only to new ideas and concepts but also in welcoming budokas from all around the world. This combination of tradition, with roots that go back to KANO Sensei and UESHIBA Sensei, and the search for new ways to evolve within the art is what makes Gyokushin Ryu a modern and open budo.
To promote the technical background and values of this truly great yet humble teacher and aikido master, we are pleased to announce the creation of the International Gyokushin Ryu Aikido Federation (IGRAF). The federation will facilitate the growth of the style through a network of members around the world.
IGRAF teacher’s representative by countries are:
Japan, WASHIZU Terumi Daihyo (Hombu Dojo, Shizuoka)
Canada, Christian PATENAUDE Shihan (Gyokushin Ryu Aikido Academy)
USA, Glenn PACK Shihan (United States Yoseikan Budo Association - USYBA)
Australia, Jon MARSHALL Shihan (Melbourne Budo Academy)
Please join us and feel free to come back often to visit our web site to stay up to date with the latest news and events related to the IGRAF.
Thanks for visiting!
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