BC Aikido Federation

On behalf of the BCAF Board of Executives, I would like to thank all the attendees of the recent AGM; together, we had what I suspect might be a record turn-out of 38 attendees (including one by proxy), representing 17 different dojos in BC. Thank you for showing that Aikido is still a part of our lives despite the ongoing pandemic! At the meeting, it became apparent that there is a desire among some BCAF members to connect socially. December can be a lonely time, let alone D...ecember in the middle of a pandemic when our usual year-end parties and get-togethers are not possible. The cancellation of regional and international seminars this year has also left many of us missing not only the opportunity to throw someone in a good iriminage, but each other. For this reason, Barb Wolfe (BCAF President) and Myrna Harrod-Taniguti (BCAF Vice-President) would like to make ourselves available to BCAF Members for an informal visit this Friday (Dec 11) at 7 pm. You can think of this as the after-class party or as office hours with the BCAF. BCAF Members interested in attending should PM the BCAF through this FaceBook page so that your names can be put on the guest list for a Zoom invitation that will be sent out later this week (probably on Friday). And this will most definitely be a BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage-of-choice) type of event!

Zoom social hour: Friday, Dec. 11 at 7-8 pm Pacific Time. Come and raise a glass (mug) to toast the end of 2020!! (PM us for link)Zoom social hour: Friday, Dec. 11 at 7-8 pm Pacific Time. Come and raise a glass (mug) to toast the end of 2020!! (PM us for link)

Updated guidelines regarding indoor practice: Adult: "All indoor and outdoor sports for people 19 years of age and older are suspended." Youth: "All organized indoor and outdoor sports for people under 19 years of age must follow viaSport's Return to Sport Phase 2 guidance with respect to maintaining physical distance for participants."... BCAF interprets this to mean no contact other than within households. Here is the link to the webpage for further information https://www2.gov.bc.ca//covid-19-provincial-/restrictions

The BC Public Health Orders have been revised (Nov 23). Here are the current restrictions with regard to indoor fitness activities including martial arts: GROUP INDOOR FITNESS ACTIVITIES Businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate high risk indoor group physical activities must suspend the following activities:... Spin classes Hot yoga High intensity interval training (HIIT) Venues that organize or operate other types of indoor group physical activities must suspend them temporarily while new guidance is being developed. These include: Dance studios Martial arts Yoga Pilates Strength and conditioning Cheerleading Venues must use the new guidance to update and re-post their COVID-19 Safety Plan before resuming operations. https://www2.gov.bc.ca//covid-19-provincial-/restrictions Stay safe, everyone!

Update from the Exam Committee regarding the CAF Shidoin Program: A message from George Hewson Sensei, the Chair of the CAF Examination Committee: Given the pandemic situation, the Examination Committee has decided that the current group of Shidoins will remain in place for another year. If and when we are all able to return to training, the list will be revised according to policy.... Voici un message de George Hewson Sensei, le président du comité des examens de la FCA: Étant donné la pandémie actuelle, le comité des examens a décidé que le groupe actuel de Shidoins restera en place pendant une autre année. Si et quand nous sommes tous en mesure de reprendre la pratique, la liste sera révisée selon la politique.

We may not be able to practice together on the mats in person for much of this year, but the presence of our community is something to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Message from Aikido Doshu

The new CAF Board of Directors!

With BC now in Phase 3 of its Restart Plan and dojos keen to move forward with a safe resumption of aikido practice, the BCAF Executive has been researching and distilling the guidelines issued by BC Public Health, WorkSafe BC, and a number of relevant organisations. As such, the BCAF Executive has now developed a set of guidelines for member dojos to consult and adapt to their local requirements. Please contact your dojo-cho if you would like to see these guidelines, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have further questions.

With BC in Phase 3, what's happening at your dojo? Have a safe and healthy Canada Day.

Questions about re-opening your dojo? Want to hear from aikido women doctors on the frontlines of the pandemic? Don't miss this panel during the solstice weeken...d seminar. With Sensei/Dr. Gina Zarrilli, Deena Drake, Josephine Pilipshen-Fan, Dr. Marta Crispens. Moderated by Liese Klein. Register by donation at: http://tinyurl.com/y99urjke 10% seminar donations going to #blacklivesmatter See more

Message from Doshu

Outdoor weapons practice is one possibility for this restart phase! #ClearwaterAikikai #adjustment #learningtopivot

Here are some guidelines from Work Safe BC and Vancouver Coastal Health regarding recreation and fitness activities, including indoor group practice. The "Group classes" tab in the first link is especially pertinent for indoor aikido practice. Please review as you make plans for restarting practice (in whatever forms that align with public health requirements). Note that these guidelines are for indoor practice; outdoor, distanced practice is considered less risky in terms of... viral transmission. Please share your thoughts, ideas, plans, and (especially expert!) opinions below. Let's help one another get through this period. https://www.worksafebc.com//covid/gyms-and-fitness-centres http://www.vch.ca//Coronavirus%20Disease%20Guideline%20for

For the time-being, aikido practice will be different than what we are used to. Hombu Dojo is re-opening on June 1st and their restart plan can be found in the links below (English version linked in the bottom paragraph).

For dojo-cho who rent practice space, this may be applicable to you. If eligible, you can get a rent subsidy (75%) for the months of April to June. Applications open tomorrow, May 25. See link below. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/cecra-rent-relief-business

Island Health has issued guidelines for re-opening gyms and fitness centres (see linked document) as part of BC Restart Plan Phase 2. These may be useful as you consider how and if/when to restart dojo practice. Thoughts, suggestions, and questions are welcome in the comments! https://www.islandhealth.ca//covid-gym-fitness-guidance.pdf

Aikido practice continues, even at home! It's been wonderful to see all the activity in the "home dojos" across BC. Happy long weekend!

Home practice videos from Hombu Dojo starting May 15 (May 14 PM in BC). More details below!

Aikido Zoom classes going on right now in BC! Maintain your practice while #socialdistancing. What's your dojo doing currently? #aikidocommunity #solopracticetogether

A message from the BCAF executive

Suggestions and recommendations by the CAF Examination Committee to maintain our practice during the pandemic Staying mentally and physically prepared for a return to practice. Keeping in touch with members via personal/group emails and social media platforms. Watching various aikido videos (instruction and demonstration).... Working on a dojo project on its history with a few towards the future. Practicing aikido solo. Reading aikido-related books. Having Zoom meetings, classes, Q&A sessions, and social time. Maintaining flexibility and core strength. Working on the next test requirements/techniques. Providing a mat loan or a weapon loan. Using the dojo with the necessary precautionary measures. Surveying students to find out aikido practice options. Providing online classes to other aikido members of the community. See more

We've definitely missed seeing everyone on the mats! Many BCAF dojos have started online classes and video tutorials, so the training goes on! Tell us about your solo practice and aikido off the mats; we'd love to hear your stories! Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Easter.

Please follow the link to the Canadian Aikido Federation COVID-19 update https://bcaikidofederation.ca/caf-covid-19-update-march-21/

Scott Macphail Sensei, BC EC member, has started a online video series for solo aikido practice at home. Check out the Victoria Aikido Centre YouTube channel and subscribe!

2020 CAF Summer Camp Cancellation Notice With deep regret the CAF Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel the 2020 CAF Sumer Camp. It was a difficult decision to make, but it was the best choice to make to respond with an abundance of caution for our CAF community in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Our Board is unanimous in our opinion this was shaping up to be one of our best Summer Camps. There was a great team all working to make everyone wel...come for the training as well as a celebration of Canada’s birthday during the camp. I’d like to pay special thanks to the following: David Humphries, Ted Yoshioka and the members of the Halifax Aikikai and Antigonish Aikikai for volunteering to host the Camp and all the planning and logistics they’ve done. Dave Wiener, our webmaster, for all the work and updates on the website. Michelle Lapointe for all the French translation to help keep us united across Canada. Adrian Iliescu and Penny Ross for all the work arranging the bursary students that were going to attend the camp. To the CAF Board, Committee leads and close associates who provided so much advice and assistance. Further information on the CAF AGM for 2020 will be forthcoming. For now, I wish for everyone to be healthy and to isolate and find ways to care for each other. Dan Jones, President CAF https://canadianaikidofederation.ca/2020-caf-summer-camp-c/

This Wednesday, let's travel virtually inland to visit Clearwater Aikikai, because it's time to GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL BC DOJO! Clearwater Aikikai began classes in January 2017 and joined the CAF/BCAF in June 2018. While the dojo is presently closed indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, classes previously consisted of a twice-weekly regular class for teens and adults and a once-weekly class for kids aged 8-12 years. What makes Clearwater Aikikai unique is our diversi...ty. The regular class is composed of a father and son, a husband and wife, a young teenager who has already surpassed the 6-foot mark, a modern-day Viking, and a Mom who continues to learn what it means to Fight Like a Mother. Despite this diversity, what we all share is a very strong love for our little community. Our members include volunteer firefighters who are gearing up to act as first responders and local business owners who are expanding their services to include the delivery of necessary goods to those who are self-isolating. We are all finding new ways to Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world. Illuminate the path according to your inner light." And as always, we will continue to look out for each other, both on and off the mats. Dojo-cho: Myrna Harrod-Taniguti https://www.facebook.com/clearwateraikikai/

An update from the CAF President, Dan Jones. Check this webpage regularly for more updates: https://canadianaikidofederation.ca/covid-19-notice/ CAF COVID-19 Update March 21, 2020 I hope this update finds you, your families, friends and fellow Aikidoists are avoiding the virus and staying healthy....Continue reading