Holiday Charity and Schedule
Dear All,
I want to wish all well over the Chanukah, Christmas and New Years holidays. The schedule will be:
24 Dec. Christmas Eve- Closed
25 Dec. Christmas- Closed
31 Dec. New Years Eve- Practice from 11 PM till New Year. After we will raise a glass of Sake and toast the New Year.
Charities
As part of our path in Aikido is assisting others we will be supporting several charitable causes this year. Sugano Sensei said, “Philosophy of Aikido is love, compassion, affection… Aikido has these as it philosophy, its center. To tell is OK but have to act. This is why I encourage students to support children in poor places. If you train you must give yourself. So it is with life. We must help others around.” To honor Sensei’s memory and further our Path in Aikido we are assisting three Charities this year:
- Assistance to Puerto Rico. Funds from Sensei Tony Fiori’s Seminar and Sensei Jim Soviero’s last year will help families in Puerto Rico. I recently contacted Sensei Samuel Santiago at Aikido Chiheisen in Puerto Rico to try to assist efforts there.
As well as teaching Aikido Sensei Santiago is a Minister and knows many families who need help after the devastating storms. As Aikido is a way to make a better world so what better way than helping Aikidoka who are trying to assist their community? We have about a $1000 to help families there. If you would like to contribute please contact me. Lot of people still suffering in Puerto Rico today so let’s try to make a difference where we can.
- The Closet. If anyone has extra clothes to give away please bring in. We will give donations to Herndon’s The Closet.
- Reston Interfaith. Any extra canned goods will be taken given to those in need.
Last, I want to congratulate Tony, Ed, Jonas and Peter for their trip to the New York Aikikai Christmas Seminar. It was a good learning experience for all. I was Uchideshi for Yamada Sensei, as Yamada Sensei was Uchideshi for O’Sensei. This is our lineage. Please try to attend as many training opportunities with Sensei in the 2018 as possible.
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year ahead.
Sincerely,
Brian Ericksen
Heaven and Earth Aikido
Herndon, Virginia
