Instructor:  Peachtree Aikikai Chief Instructor Blue Spruell
Concentration: Aikido and Iaido
Attending from Peachtree: Blue Spruell, Kevin Bennett, Kathryn Krupp

BLUE:   Traveling to seminars is always a treat and the trip to the Southern Maryland Aikido Center was no exception.   Yet this seminar was unique: to be invited to instruct a seminar is always an honor; to receive that invitation from a dojo previously unknown to me is a particular honor indeed.  This was the case with this seminar at the Southern Maryland Aikido Center.  Darrell Grant and his wife Donna could not have been more generous and gracious in caring for their guests from Peachtree Aikikai.  They have a very hospitable and eager group of students.   And as the visiting instructor, I was glad to have travel companions with me, too, to further demonstrate Peachtree’s commitment to excellence in Aikido.     

It was a most satisfying seminar.  Around 40 people attended, and I recall seeing representation from as many as nine different dojos.  Gordon Sakamoto, 6th Dan, Shidoin, Chief Instructor of Northern Virginia Aikikai, also attended both  the Iaido and Aikido classes: quite an honor for me considering he has been training in aikido since 1963 and received instruction from O'Sensei before his passing.  Although it had been about 15 years since Gordon visited us in Atlanta, and almost as many since I had trained with him, he had not changed a bit and was as gracious as I remembered.

KEVIN:  Traveling with Peachtree aikidoka to seminars outside Atlanta always leaves me with the feeling that I am not just a part my dojo, but rather a part of the expanding art that is Aikido.  Seminars are the perfect vehicle for practitioners from all over to get together and share what they have learned, as well as share good food, drink and fun!

On the 1st day, Spruell Sensei taught an Iaido class followed by an aikido class focusing on otoshis.  After class, we went to a great Mexican place for drinks and food. The next day started with Iaido, followed by a koshiwaza class, and then another helping of Iaido, finally topped off with a splash of tantodori. We ended the seminar with a long soak in a hot tub, drinks, and Chinese food.  All in all, it was hard work, but between the hot tub and self-medication we all survived in one piece and with smiles all around.

KATHRYN: I always really enjoy traveling to seminars and Maryland was no different. Blue taught some very fun classes that were painful yet fun. Everyone we met there was super friendly, one guy even drove an ice cream truck so we had ice cream after the last class. We had good food including Mexican, Chinese, and burgers, as well as plenty to drink, and as always there was a hot tub, who could ask for more...

Instructor:  Florida Aikikai Chief Instructor Peter Bernath, Shihan
Concentration: Aikido
Attending from Peachtree: Blue Spruell and expatriots Tony Carangi, Ovidiu Ratiu, Tiffany Carter

BLUE:  The recent seminar in Spain was an absolute adventure worth repeating.  The aikido, the people, the country, the good food and drink.  I have not a single complaint.  Bernath Sensei was a trooper, plagued by some cold and congestion that he caught on the flight over, but I think I may speak for him when I say it was a truly enjoyable seminar and trip.  We spent two days in Mallorca with Manolo Garcia Sanz, 5th Dan, Chief Instructor of the Mallorca Aikido Club, and his family, most gracious hosts.  On to stay with Michelle Feilen, 5th Dan, and Francisco Manchon, 5th Dan, of Aiki Feilen, who made me feel so at home I've questioned my patriotism.  It turned out to be a mini reunion of itinerant students from our dojo: Tiffany Carter has been living in Barcelona for years now.  Ovidiu Ratiu hopped over from Romania for the weekend.  And Tony Carangi found his way out of Italy to join us, too!  The instruction was excellent.  Practice was sweltering, but the rewards - Spanish jamon, olives, wine, and a veritable orgy of seafood - made me want to do it all over again.  And I will!

OVIDIU:  In between travels, I landed in Barcelona for 2 days, looking for some good aikido. And with Peter's seminar going on, I had indeed the chance to take some excellent classes and to train with some strong Spanish aikidoka. I met old friends, made new friends and rediscovered friends that I have forgotten. It continues to amaze me how aikido travel is an experience in itself, way beyond the mat, complete with training, human interaction and cultural education. And as an added bonus, food was out of this world. Barcelona has just gone up on my list of "to go" cities.

Instructor:  Jo Birdsong, Shihan, of Austin Aikikai
Concentration: Aikido
Attending from Peachtree: Blue Spruell, Brian Potter, Kevin Bennett, Mitsuko Spruell, Kathryn Krupp, Mark Brodbeck, Stacey Sewart, Justin Miller

MARK:   Despite Delta's vigiliant efforts to detain us, our party finally landed in the Big Easy just in time for dinner on Friday before the seminar.  We dined at the brasserie Luke, and enjoyed some of the finest food and the official drink of New Orleans, the sazerac.  The consequences of our blissful indulgence at Luke resonated throughout our trip!  Not a single regret from that meal...  

The next day, we trekked en masse (minus one) to the Aikido Center of New Orleans, Chief Instructor Larry Ozenberger, 3rd Dan, Fukushidoin.   We enjoyed an afternoon of instruction from Jo Birdsong, 6th Dan, Shihan.  The concentration was on kokyunage and its many variations.  There were a handful of fellow travelers, representing Hattiesburg and beyond; class was very enjoyable.  The dojo was well-appointed and cool, somehow managing to defeat the humidity of New Orleans!  The New Orleans contingency took us out for a memorable dinner afterward.

We had a magnificent time in New Orleans and hit the high notes of Cafe du Monde, breakfast in the French Quarter, the House of Blues, and the world's largest ashtray, Chucks Sports Bar.  And click here for a special photo portrait. 

Instructor:  Blue Spruell
Concentration: Iaido
Attending from Peachtree: Jeff Lindsay

Sensei and Jeff Lindsay just got back from Tampa yesterday - a one-day iaido seminar taught by Blue at Florida Aikido Center.  Blue and Jeff left town before 7 a. and returned at 10 p. the same day.

Florida Aikido Center in Tampa is a relatively young dojo under Gina Boccolucci, Nidan, Chief Instructor, but the iaido seminar was apparently very well attended with 11 students of various skill levels on the mat.  The focus of the seminar was Muso Shinden Ryu Shoden, and between training the rigorous kneeling forms and the heat, everyone was drenched by the end of the first class.  Two more classes later, everyone was worn out and ready for a break and a beer at the Tiki bar - in the dojo!  As they say at FAC: "Come for the Aikido, stay for the beer!"

After a brief but delicious Thai dinner, their FAC hosts rushed Blue and Jeff to the airport to make the plane home.  It was a whirlwind seminar, but Blue has reported he was pleased with the turnout and everyone's enthusiastic reception and hospitality.