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Santa Cruz Aikido Summer RetreatJuly 7-11, 2010at theSanta Cruz Civic AuditoriumfeaturingMotomichi Anno Shihan, 8th dan Mary Heiny Sensei, 6th dan Linda Holiday Sensei, 6th dan Jack Wada Sensei, 6th dan |
The Santa Cruz Aikido Summer Retreat generates a training atmosphere of sincerity and mutual respect. We are committed to equal opportunity for Aikidoists of any gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation or rank. We all benefit from the skills and insight of experienced practitioners while welcoming and progressing with newer students of the art.
In coming together for the 17th Annual Summer Retreat, we reaffirm the goal of integrating body, mind, and spirit in our practice. In addition to numerous daily opportunities for general keiko (training), the retreat offers classes with an emphasis on meditation and misogi… time to train, talk, eat, and dance together… many ways to deepen our experience of Aiki community and our personal development as students on “The Way of Harmony.”
Our theme for the 2010 Retreat is The Future of Aikido. As the world-wide Aikido community now enters the fifth decade since the passing of its inspirational founder, how is Aikido conveyed from one “generation” to another? What changes, what remains the same? What is your role in this transmission? What is the individual and collective effort needed to ensure that the path of Aikido, which has given us all so much, flourishes into the future? Join us in reflecting on these important questions at the 2010 Summer Retreat.
Motomichi Anno Shihan, 8th Dan
Chief Instructor, Aikido Kumano Juku, Shingu, Japan
Anno Sensei began his study of Aikido in 1954 in Shingu, at the dojo Osensei founded in his native region of Kumano. Anno Sensei’s flowing movement, impeccable posture, and emphasis on Osensei’s message of harmony and love through Budo have made him an influential teacher of many Western Aikidoists. Anno Sensei is a treasured member of the rapidly passing first generation of Aikido teachers who learned directly from Osensei. A student of Osensei during the last 15 years of the founder’s life, Anno Sensei succeeded the late Michio Hikitsuchi Sensei, 10th dan, as Chief Instructor in Shingu in 2004. Anno Sensei teaches with heart and humility, and invites us closer to Osensei's art and spiritual path.
"More important than the form of the technique is the intention behind it. Study carefully the intention of Aikido, its purpose and spirit. Strengthen your heart while you strengthen your technique". - Motomichi Anno Shihan
…An important note about Anno Sensei’s participation: “This is a rare opportunity to train under Anno Sensei, as he joins us for the Santa Cruz Summer Retreat one more time, this July. He will be 79 years old, after 56 years of dedication to Aikido! Anno Sensei told me that he has a firm intention to be here for the Retreat, but he wants everyone to know it is “health permitting”, and if his health falters he may be unable to come. When I visited Anno Sensei in Japan last fall, he seemed in good health, but no one has a crystal ball to see the future. So, please pray for Anno Sensei’s continued good health, and join us at the Summer Retreat!” - Linda Holiday SenseiMary Heiny Sensei, 6th Dan
Seattle, Washington
Mary Heiny first experienced Aikido in Tokyo in 1964, where she was deeply inspired by Osensei’s presence. After returning to the U.S. in the 70’s, she served as Chief Instructor of several dojos in the United States and Canada. Mary Sensei’s dynamic technique and profound insight are complemented by her accessible and eloquent teaching style. She frequently teaches Aikido seminars in the United States, Canada, and abroad, bringing to every seminar a powerful message of the transformative nature of Aikido practice.
"Through Aikido we may examine the nature of power, engage in uncompromising self-scrutiny, and realize our potential as powerful, compassionate, self-aware human beings." - Mary Heiny SenseiLinda Holiday Sensei, 6th Dan
Chief Instructor, Aikido of Santa Cruz, California
Linda Holiday began her Aikido training in Santa Cruz in 1970. She then trained intensively in Japan for several years in the 70’s. Since 1976 she has devoted herself to the founding and development of Aikido of Santa Cruz (formerly North Bay Aikido). Linda Sensei consistently focuses on the key concepts of Osensei’s vision of Aikido in a down-to-earth way. Her classes are known for their energetic movement, misogi purification, and inclusive community spirit. Linda Sensei has also worked closely with Anno Sensei over the last ten years and serves as his interpreter.
Jack Wada Sensei, 6th Dan
Chief Instructor, Aikido of San Jose, California
Since beginning his training in 1969, Jack Wada has dedicated himself to the integration of physical and spiritual practice in Aikido. His deeply based, refined and inspired technique, and his long years of weapons training and meditative practices, makes Jack Sensei a tremendous resource. His articulate, insightful teaching style opens up areas of profound inquiry and growth for Aikidoists of all levels.
We are happy to announce that the 2010 Summer Retreat will be held once again at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. Built in 1939 and host to many of the city’s most beloved events, “the Civic” has a spacious training area, ample seating areas, and a great atmosphere. Its central location puts it within easy walking distance of our dojo, numerous restaurants, parking lots, and city bus lines. Come train in the heart of Santa Cruz!
For our Retreat dojo...
Once again we have arranged to use Zebra MatsTM Olympic
style tatami mats to cover our training area! Contact us to purchase
discounted mats after the retreat!
The Santa Cruz Aikido Summer Retreat is characterized by the community feeling and intensification of learning that builds when a group trains together for multiple days, under multiple Senseis, skillfully blending their instruction. You will have the best experience, and give the most back to your fellow Aikidoists, by sustaining your training in this way. We encourage you to register for the full Retreat. The training fee is $250 for the full 5-day Retreat if you register before June 15, and $275 after that date.
This year, in light of Anno Sensei’s rare appearance, we will also allow partial registration for full single days only, if you cannot attend the whole retreat. Please register in advance if possible (or before 9:30 am on the day of your attendance). Please note that there is no single-class registration option except for Wednesday night. Anno Sensei plans to teach on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, but the schedule is subject to change. A detailed schedule showing all classes and activities will be made available on our website before the Retreat.
| Register by June 15 | After June 15 | |
| Full Retreat | $250 | $275 |
| Wed 7pm-8:45pm class | $30 | $35 |
| Thu, Fri, or Sat all day (each day) | $75 | $80 |
| Sun 7am-8:00am & 10am-12:30pm | $45 | $50 |
(see the schedule here)
Dining options are varied: Within walking distance of the Civic are many excellent cafes & restaurants of all price levels, a Trader Joe’s and a health food store. We will give you a map of downtown with recommended locations marked. We will also be facilitating a simple order-in lunch on Friday; you must pre-order by 9:15AM that day for this option. Saturday evening we will gather after dinner for Desserts and Dancing in the beautiful Aikido of Santa Cruz dojo.
Please see the map for parking suggestions. Three all-day lots (max $5/day) are within walking distance. Please contact us about a Civic parking lot permit if you are a participant with special needs.
The two closest airports to Santa Cruz are San Jose International [SJC] (30 miles) and San Francisco International [SFO] (75 miles). Shuttle service is available from either airport directly to the Retreat. There are two shuttle services that will pick you up at the airport and take you right to your lodging or the retreat. They both pick up passengers at San Jose and San Francisco airports. Rates run about $70.00 from San Jose to $110.00 from San Francisco.
Surf City Airporter (831) 419-2642 www.surfcityshuttle.com
Early Bird Airport Shuttle (831) 462-3933 www.earlybirdairportshuttle.com
Making connections and enjoying off-the-mat time with other Aikidoists
is one of the great pleasures of attending a multi-day retreat. The
Japanese word for retreat, Gasshuku, literally means "lodging
together."
Various lodging options are available to retreat attendees from
out-of-town - vacation rentals, hotels & motels, B&B's, and the Santa Cruz Youth Hostel.
Convenient to public transport and three all-day parking facilities, the Civic will be easy
to get to for locals and out of town visitors alike. Below are a range
of options for lodging during the retreat; it is the responsibility of
each retreat attendee to arrange their own accommodations.
Please Note: For all lodging options, it is vital to
reserve early, as Santa Cruz fills up in summer with vacationers.
Vacation Rentals
The bad news is that being a vacation destination, hotels & motels
in Santa Cruz are very expensive in the summertime - especially on the
weekends (they almost double in price). The good news is that being a
vacation destination, Santa Cruz has a lot of vacation rental homes &
condos! Most are significantly less expensive than a hotel (especially
when filled to capacity) - and you have a kitchen. Our own search of
www.vrbo.com turned up rentals
that can house as many as 16 people to
ones that are designed for 2 or 3. We suggest that you book as soon as
you can, because vacation rental calendars do fill up quickly! Westside
Santa Cruz or Seabright area will be the most convenient to downtown
(10 minutes or less), but anywhere in the area will be fairly close.
From Santa Cruz heading south (nearest to farthest), the areas likely to
have rentals are: Twin Lakes, Pleasure Point, Opal Cliffs, Capitola, New
Brighton, Seacliff, Rio del Mar, La Selva Beach. These are all coastal
- if you can find something inland (Live Oak, Soquel, or in the San
Lorenzo Valley) it may be less expensive.
Carmelita Cottages - Santa Cruz Youth Hostel
Santa Cruz has a lovely youth hostel on Beach Hill, very near
downtown. $28 per night, bedding provided, access to a full kitchen. Has
traditional hostel rules, including midday lock-out hours. Private/couples
rooms available, surcharge may apply. The drawback for full retreat
attendees is that they have a 3-night maximum stay - but this makes
them convenient for people who cannot attend the whole retreat. See
www.hi-santacruz.org,
or call 831-423-8304.
Dojo Slumber Party
Aikido of Santa Cruz is just a few blocks from the Civic Auditorium.
Traditionally our dojo hosts up to 10 people during the summer retreat,
usually as part of financial aid. We occasionally have room for a
few extra participants; however this cannot be confirmed till after June 10th.
Do not wait. Reserve your accommodations early. Showers & a
kitchen are available; bring your own bedding.
Hotels, motels, B&B's
Regular hotels/motels will be expensive (generally $100+/night for
weeknights, most going over $200/night on weekends). If you are able to
splurge on something romantic, Santa Cruz does have some wonderful
lodging options, in addition to vacation rentals: the
Babbling Brook Inn
& the Adobe on Green Street
are B&B's that are lovely and close to the Civic.
We will be adding some specific hotel links for your convenience soon!
For further information contact:
The Santa Cruz Aikido Summer Retreat
c/o AIKIDO OF SANTA CRUZ
306 Mission St.
Santa Cruz CA 95060
ph. 831-423-8326, box 4
fax 831-423-6156
sretreat@aikidosantacruz.org
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