Sanbukan Dojo Holiday Party!!!

Come wish Sensei Mits a Merry Christmas!! (You don't have to be a dojo member to attend)
Saturday December 20, 2014

We will have our annual potluck at the dojo, after aikido class (class starts at 12:30pm and ends at roughly at 2:30pm) The party will most likely start early

Let us know what you'll bring, so far we have:

Cindy Johnston Jeremy and Cindy - Starbucks Coffee Travelers, Utensils, Cups, Napkins, Etc
Art - Chicken Soft Tacos, Possibly something else
Sensei Larry - Pizza
Patty Peacock - Lasagna
Gilbert - Veggie Plate
Sotari - Pho or Gumbo
Alonso - Meat Dish
Pete - El Polo Loco Chicken
Virgil - Mexican Black Bean Dish
Brian - Salad
Stephanie - Tomales

 If you have any questions please feel free to contact me here on FB or email me at cindy@sanbukan.com
The entrance to the dojo is in south parking lot of the Blacksmiths corner pet and feed store.

17647 Lakewood Blvd
Bellflower, CA 90706

The loss of another great man

I awoke this morning to read that another great master has left us.  I always enjoyed the times Angier Sensei would come by to spend time at our Dojo. His stories and jokes over lunch were both hysterical and inspiring. Below is a repost of the announcement from his friend and student Jeremy Breazeale

 

October 9, 2014 at 5:24am

My friends,


It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I announce the passing of my dear friend and teacher, Don Angier.  He passed away this morning, at 2:50AM, from heart complications.  Throughout the evening, he was jovial, sarcastic, irreverent, and in the company of friends and students.  Angier Sensei was 81-years-old, and lived an amazing life.  A life that was awe-inspiring and worthy of celebration.


If you have memories of your time with him, stories you'd like to share, please feel free to write them here.  Or message me, if you prefer to share privately.  I'll be compiling these stories in an effort to celebrate his life, and share them with future generations of his art, Shidare Yanagi ryu Aiki Bugei.


Jeremy Breazeale
Soke-dai, Shidare Yanagi ryu

 

Never Forget

13 years ago Terrorists attacked America hurting and killing thousands.  But they strengthened millions by reminding us that America is worth defending.  Every person who died on that day died a hero.  As someone who's life emboldened us all.

I created this piece as a tribute to them.  God Bless America!

Congratulations Patrick

10 years of hard work and strong determination have paid off. Patrick Reed is now the 26th Black Belt under Master Yamashita. His whole family was in attendance for the big day.

Our major complaint with the test comes right back to THE BASICS! He was nearly failed because of his stances and pivots. We can not stress enough how important they are.

Also, Gilbert was presented his Black Belt Certificate by Sensei Mits. Gilbert passed his black belt last December. Now all he has to do is find a large enough space on the wall to display it.

Black Belt Test coming soon

Patrick Reed tested for 1st kyu 4 years ago and is now ready to test for his Black Belt.  Patrick is the owner of The Blacksmith's Corner Pet & Feed Store, and he generously hosts our Dojo in the southern most barn.  A testament to health and hard work, he will also be turning 70 years old.  Proving it is truly never too late to achieve your goals!

If successful, he will be the 26th Black Belt under Master Mits Yamashita.  To say these tests are rare is an understatement!  The test is appropriately scheduled for Saturday July 26th

Patty Hernandez gets her Orange belt

This last Saturday Patty Hernandez took and passed her Orange Belt test. No big surprise there. Don't let her small stature and minor handicap fool you, this girl is tough! She rides her bike to class (15 miles one way), takes every one of Sensei Mits' El Camino classes and cross trains in other arts as well. Poor Sotari didn't stand a chance.





We are all very proud if you Patty. Keep up the good work!

Happy New Year

Welcome to the future. The year is now 2014! Here in the future all people cherish each others differences, welcome challenges and of course practice Aikido regularly.