June SMAA Seminar in the SF Bay Area

SMAA CALIFORNIA SEMINAR!
On June 27 and 28, the SMAA will offer a special seminar in conjunction with the Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts. It is one of several seminars commemorating the 15th anniversary of the SMAA, and the featured instructor will be H. E. Davey, SMAA Primary Director and SMAA Jujutsu Division Shihan and seventh dan. The theme of the weekend will be “Unification of Mind & Body in the Martial Arts,” and instruction will be offered in Shin-shin-toitsu-do, a form of Japanese yoga and meditation, along with Saigo Ryu, a traditional martial art emphasizing jujutsu and several weapons. The event will take place in quaint Albany, California, just across the bay from San Francisco. Instruction is open to anyone above the age of thirteen.

Through unification of mind and body, martial artists and average people alike can learn to manifest their full potential in a wide variety of situations. Instruction will emphasize how mind and body unification principles created by Nakamura Tempu Sensei in the 1920s lead to enhanced concentration, calmness, relaxation, and willpower in both life and budo. Since Mr. Davey will be showing how these principles relate to budo, attending the Japanese yoga and meditation training is required for this event.

Saigo Ryu training will focus on the wide variety of dynamic throws, unique immobilizations, powerful strangle holds, and rarely seen grappling methods that make up the unarmed portion of this Japanese martial art. Emphasis will be placed on how an understanding of ki (“life energy”) and the hara (a natural abdominal center) can lead to greater power, balance, and grace in any martial art. Students will also be introduced to the art of subtly influencing an opponent’s mind and ki (ki o michibiki), resulting in effortless throws and pinning techniques.

Classes will be offered in a time-honored Japanese atmosphere, and Mr. Davey’s classical dojo is traditional in appearance and intimate in size. Attending these classes as special guest teachers will be at least three SMAA Senior Advisors: Kevin Heard Sensei, Ann Kameoka Sensei, and Ohsaki Jun Sensei. Space is limited, and early registration is strongly suggested.

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Book your flight and make your hotel reservations early. Plenty of time has been built into the schedule to allow for sightseeing and fun.

Mr. Davey and the various attending instructors look forward to offering you a life-altering training experience in June, an event that will present new ways of approaching budo and daily living. Registration forms have been sent to most of our members via e-mail. Members without e-mail should call soon to request a registration form.

Mr. Davey and the various attending SMAA officials are hoping to make new friends and meet old training partners at the first SMAA event ever offered in California.

When:
June 27 and 28

Where:
The Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts
1053 San Pablo Ave.
Albany, CA 94706
USA
www.senninfoundation.com
http://senninfoundation.blogspot.com/

Who:
H. E. Davey (Featured instructor for Japanese yoga/meditation and Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu, biographical sketch at http://smaa-hq.com/bios/davey.php)
Kevin Heard Sensei (Attending instructor, biographical sketch at http://smaa-hq.com/bios/heard.php)
Ann Kameoka Sensei (Attending instructor, biographical sketch at http://smaa-hq.com/bios/kameoka.php)
Ohsaki Jun Sensei (Attending instructor, biographical sketch at http://smaa-hq.com/bios/ohsaki.php)

Schedule:
Saturday, June 27
8:45 to 9:45 AM (Introduction to Japanese yoga and mind/body unification. Wear a t-shirt and loose pants.)
10:00 to 11:30 AM (Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu. Wear a white gi.)
11:45 AM (Sightseeing in the San Francisco Bay Area)

Sunday, June 28
8:45 to 10:15 AM (Mind/body unification in Japanese yoga, martial arts, and daily life. Wear a t-shirt and loose pants.)
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu. Wear a white gi.)
12:15 to 2:15 PM (Informal party at Ruen Pair Thai Restaurant:
http://www.ruenpair.com/)
2:30 PM (Sightseeing in the San Francisco Bay Area)

Cost:
General Public—$60 for all Japanese yoga and martial arts classes
SMAA Members--$40 for all Japanese yoga and martial classes (Save $20!)

Housing and Meals:

Albany is located in the East Bay, across from San Francisco, and next to Berkeley. Restaurants are widely available, as are hotels. A Holiday Inn can be found in nearby Berkeley, just minutes from the dojo (http://www.hiexpress.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/bekca?&cm_mmc=mdp=true, Telephone: 1-877-863-4780). The Hotel Durant is also located in Berkeley (http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/durant/, Telephone: 510-845-8981). Motels for almost every budget can be found by searching the Internet, so be sure to check around for the best possible deal.

Registration:
Space is extremely limited for all sessions. Contact Mr. Davey soon to reserve your place. The SMAA, the Sennin Foundation Center, and H. E. Davey reserve the right to close registration at any time, once all available spaces have been taken.

Your fee and seminar registration must be received no later than June 20. Checks or money orders should be made out to Sennin Foundation Center. It will not be possible to register in person at the first class.

Map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&address=1053+San+Pablo+Avenue&city=Albany&state=CA&zipcode=&submit=Get+Map

Visitor & Tourist Information:
Albany, California Visitor Information: http://www.albanychamber.org/
San Francisco, California Visitor Information: http://sfo.web.infoseek.co.jp/

Airports & Transportation:
San Francisco International Airport:
800-435-9736 or 650-821-8211
http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/index.jsp

Oakland International Airport:
510-563-3300
http://www.flyoakland.com/index2.cfm

Rental cars are available at both airports.

Contact Information:
H. E. Davey
hedavey@aol.com
510-526-7518