Aikido Courses:

Sensei Foster Misogi and Memorial Course: May 2012

Some 30 Aikidoka - mostly Dan Grades - paid tribute to Sensei Foster’s memory with an hour-long intensive training session at The Hut Dojo on the evening of Friday, 11 May. This was a preliminary to the weekend Memorial Course which was held at the Wycombe Judo Centre on Sat 12 and Sun 13 May.

Over 50 Aikidoka from a number of different associations came to take part in the Sensei Foster Memorial Course and experience the teaching of a panel of Sensei who had enjoyed a connection with Mr Foster over the years.

These comprised: (in alpha order)

Sensei Frank Burlingham  - IOA
Sensei Paul Foster-Dent  - IOA
Sensei Wasyl Kolesnikov - Universal Aikido
Sensei Paul McGlone - Takemusu Iwama Europe
Sensei Lawson Moore - IOA
Sensei Barbara Moss - Yama Arashi
Sensei Paul Robinson - Birankai
Sensei Phil Smith - UKA
Sensei Simon Thackeray - IOA
Sensei William Timms - IOA
Sensei Les White - Kurai

The Sensei provided a feast of interesting Aikido, both open hand and weapons, which illustrated the many different paths which Aikidoka have taken in their search for Truth. The Sensei also entertained the participants by recounting some of their memories of Mr Foster and paid tribute to the part he had played in their own Aikido careers.

A number of Dan Grade Certificates were presented during the afternoon. Spirit Fredericks received his 2nd Dan Certificate which he had gained at the Institute of Aikido Summer School in 2011, whilst a number of other long serving 3rd Dan Aikidoka were promoted to 4th Dan. These were Tommy Tonner and Tom Why from The Hut Dojo, Uxbridge; Trevor Edgson and John Kingsbury from Slough Central Aikido Club and Lindsey Park, Linn Robertson and Derek Killah from the Livingston Club.

On the Saturday evening a Memorial Dinner was held in the nearby Holiday Inn Hotel which was attended by many members of Sensei Foster’s family, including his wife Alice. During the evening the diners enjoyed a powerpoint presentation displaying photos from Sensei Foster’s life, and verbal tributes were paid by the following Sensei - Paul McGlone, Phil Smith, William Timms, Simon Thackeray and Paul Foster-Dent. A book was passed around in which guests could write their thoughts about Sensei Foster and their relationship with him which would be presented to the Foster family.

The Course continued on the Sunday and concluded around 4 o’clock. Our thanks go to the organisers, Paul Foster-Dent, William and Sharon Timms and last but not least, Janet Pain.

It is intended that a  DVD will be made in due course of the teaching sessions for which a nominal charge will be made to cover costs. If you would like a copy please indicate your interest by sending an email to: info@thehutdojo.co.uk.

• Click here for some photos of the Course

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