Adult Nihon Goshin Aikido Classes Now Offered in Irmo, SC

Beginning, Tuesday January 4th, 2011, Nihon Goshin Aikido will be offered at our partner location in Irmo, SC. The class is located at 7528 Woodrow Street next to Dominoes. Aikido training will be held on Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm. For more information please contact Sensei John Carter at the Headquarters dojo at 803.546.6079 or senseicarter@gmail.com

Sensei Carter teaching at the University of South Carolina

We just completed a successful self-defense course at the University of South Carolina. There were 100 students who attended and everyone enjoyed their training. I appreciate the invitation to come and teach such an important topic. The event was well organized and I appreciate all my students who helped with the instruction. I want to include a portion of a follow-up email from the event organizer:

"Thank you so much for everything you and your team did last night! I've gotten such great feedback and a lot of the girls requested another course in the spring! Everyone had a great time and your whole team is absolutely amazing. Thank you again for everything!!"

Elizabeth Smith
Alpha Delta Pi

Congratulations on new Promotions

I want to congratulate the following students on their recent promotions in the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido.

Jared Dennis - Brown Belt
Jonathan Wilson - Purple Belt
Tim McNeal - Purple Belt
Jeshua Scott - Purple Belt
Aerial Scott - Purple Belt
Laci Hulon - Blue Belt
Mimi Zimmerman - Blue Belt
Tito Oriz - Yellow Belt
Raymond Horvath - Yellow Belt
Phillip Wilson - Yellow Belt

Gracie Spencer - Purple Stripe
Hayden Butfiloski - Purple Stripe
Philip Spotts - Green Stripe
Brittain Gadsen - Jr Yellow
Micah Jensen - Green Stripe
Tucker Posey - Green Stripe
Ethan Porter - Green Stripe
Trust Williamson - Green Stripe
JJ Rodriquez - Yellow Stripe
Ian Dantzler - Yellow Stripe
Anna Dantzler - Jr Yellow Belt
Maria Postiglione - Blue Stripe
Michael Postiglione - Blue Stripe
Sabrina Allison -Jr Green
Benjamin Carter - Yellow Stripe
Nathaniel Petit - Jr Purple with 1 stripe
Luke Petit - Jr Purple with 1 stripe
Seth Cooper - Jr Purple with 1 stripe
Lanie Williams - Jr Purple with 1 stripe
Evan Hulon - Jr Purple with 1 stripe
James Guertin - Jr Purple with 1 stripe
Robbie Sexton - Jr Purple with 1 stripe


Sensei Carter

Adult Jiu-Jitsu & Jr. Grappler's Classes Now Underway.

Adult Jiu-Jitsu Classes are now being held Monday and Wednesday at 8:15pm and Saturdays at 12:00 noon. Jr. Grappler's (ages 8 to 12) classes are now being held on Saturday at 10:00am. If you are interested in these classes please see Sensei Carter at the academy.

Professor Pedro Valente Seminar Review

We had a great group attend the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training and seminar held on Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st. Professor Valente showed us solid technique, with attention to details, while maintaining a great learning environment. The seminar was well attended by students from Columbia Self-Defense, Aikido Academy of Self-Defense, and Midlands Jiu-Jitsu. We had a great weekend and look forward to next year. Thanks to all involved.

Steven Seagal on Merv Griffin circa 1982

Check out Steven Seagal on a talk show demonstration some good Aikido.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yacGwi8Kzg

Steven Seagal Training Session with Anderson Silva

Just saw an interesting training session of Sensei Steven Seagal (7th-Degree Aikido Black-Belt) with UFC Champion Anderson Silva. it is in Portugese, but you should be able to follow most of the footage. Enjoy.



Sensei Carter



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScZSCIW27x0

Karate, Kung Fu, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido - What's in a name?

A famous quote by Bruce Lee reads:

".....unless human beings have three arms and three legs, then we will have a different way of fighting. But basically we all have two arms and two legs so that is why I believe there should be only one way of fighting and that is no way."

As I am going in to my 25th year of martial arts, I have spent most of my time studying three grappling arts, namely Nihon Goshin Aikido, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. I have also studied Judo, Kempo and Karate. What I have concluded is all good, practical, street-effective martial arts have more things in-common then different. That brings me to an important point. It is not the type of martial art that is most critical, but it is the effectiveness, experience and professionalism of the martial arts program.

With the re-release of THE KARATE KID, I suspect there will be a surge of interest in the martial arts. I would recommend to youth, parents, and families the following guidelines when looking to enroll in a martial arts program.

1. Call, email or visit 2 to 4 schools.
2. Talk to the owner or chief instructor about monthly tuition, enrollments fees, contracts, etc.
3. Visit the academy and take note of three important things.
a. Does the teaching style of the instructor meet your expectations?
b. Does the learning environment appear safe, positive and professional?
c. Are the techniques practical, realistic and street-effective?

If the dojo meets those three important factors, then it should be a good fit for you and your family.

For more information about our school and programs, visit our website at www.aikidoacademy.com , call us at 803.546.6079 or send me an email to senseicarter@gmail.com

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Seminar with Professor Pedro Valente

Please join me in welcoming Professor Pedro Valente for a seminar at our dojo Sunday, August 1st. This will be his third visit to Columbia, South Carolina and sure to be another well-received seminar. Training begins at 10:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm. The cost of the seminar is $75.00 and checks should be made payable to Jack Walker. For questions, or early registration, students can contact me at the dojo at 803.546.6079.

Thanks,

Sensei Carter

Street Effectiveness of Nihon Goshin Aikido

Nihon Goshin Aikido, a traditional derivative system of Aiki-Jiu Jitsu, holds an unique place in the category of street effective martial arts. With mixed martial arts becoming more and more popular, the general public is gettting a good look at more realistic fighting. However, a mixed martial arts event has rules, weight classes, time limits, referee's and the important detail of knowing when and who you are fighting. In self-defense none of these factors exist. Importantly, students who train for real combat must know how to defend themselves standing and on the ground as well as being prepared for weapons or multiple attackers anytime or anyplace. In Nihon Goshin Aikido, we work hard to prepare students for each of these realistic situations.

I recently had a student effectively apply the "come-a-long" (or shoulder lock) take down for real. The individual is a police officer and was securing a suspect. He brought the individual down to the ground using a technique from Nihon Goshin Aikido, controlled him and placed him under arrest. These real life stories are relayed to me often by law enforcement professionals. They are on the front lines when it comes to hand to hand combat. Be confident in what you are learning in Nihon Goshin Aikido. Work hard, train often, strive for perfection and if you ever have to act the technique will be there.

Sensei Carter

Columbia, SC - January 2010 Nihon Goshin Aikido Belt Promotions

We had a packed academy for our January 25th and 26th belt promotions. Eighteen students were promoted during the last two days. Each student has shown great skill, perseverance and character on the road to earning their new ranks. I am especially proud of the entire student body and the honor in which training is being conducted. I want to extend a sincere congratulations to the following students who were recently promoted in the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido.

Sho-Dan
Joe Nochman

San-Kyu
Tim McNeal

Jeshiah Scott
Aerial Scott
Becky Wilkerson

Jonathan Wilson

Yon-Kyu
Brian Jordan
Ian Maclean
Beth Southwell
Joyce Southwell
Wendell Gordon
Chuck Caldwell

Go-Kyu
Laci Hulon
Mimi Pachecho
Ken Gatti
Jake Riffle

Junior Green Belt
Sarah Southwell

Little Samurai Blue Stripe
Trust Williamson

Again, wonderful job and keep up the good work.

Sensei Carter

New Year Message for 2010!

2009 was some year. Even though our country experienced one of the worst economic times many of us have ever seen, our academy stayed strong and saw positive growth. We had a great year of events such as our Spring Training and Summer Camp, our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Seminar with Pedro Valente, and last but not least, the newest addition to our dojo family, Sensei Carter and Mrs. Carter's new baby. Our students in both the youth and adult programs showed tremendous heart, dedication, and perseverance. We had many students move forward in their skill and belt progression and we will have many more in the upcoming weeks of 2010. Our testing process, curriculum guidelines and rank system revisions have been updated and finalized and will go into effect Monday, January 4th, 2010. Any questions should be directed to me.

I have personally accomplished much in my continuing education in the Martial Arts and appreciate all my students, teachers, training partners and mentors. I look forward to learning all I can in the new year. You all help me in my personal journey. I can't thank you enough. I look forward to 2010 and the next decade to come. I see many great things in the future of our academy.

See you on the mats,

Sensei John Carter