Spring 2009 Training Camp

We just concluded our Spring 2009 training camp. We had 45 people in attendance and had a fabulous day of training, teaching and camaraderie. I appreciate all the instructors who taught during our sessions. I especially appreciate the hard work and attentiveness of each and every student. Sensei Wyndham began our day with uras (reversals) of Nihon Goshin Aikido. I was next with how to better connect Nihon Goshin Aikido techniques one with another. Our third session was presented by Jack Walker in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He covered the closed guard, guard variations as well as offensive and defensive maneuvers from the guard. Lastly, Kyoshi Gary Shull taught us how to create small openings in order to create big openings. He also taught us very effective striking zones. We finished the afternoon with a wonderful dinner at the dojo.

I appreciate all the students who traveled from out of town to our dojo in Columbia, SC and those students who helped prior to and after the event. I especially want to thank Becky Wilkerson, Erin Courtney, and Reed Talbot for providing desserts.

I look forward to another training camp soon.

See you on the mats,

Sensei Carter

Student Promotions

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

John Lindley - Yon-Kyu
Jessie Knight - Yon-Kyu
Drew Beaty - Go-Kyu
Hunter Boyd - Go- Kyu
Kathryn Williams - Go-Kyu
Troy Sumpter - Go- Kyu
Ian MacLean - Go-Kyu
Wayne Pittman - Go-Kyu
Tim McNeal - Go-Kyu
Erick Boniface - Junior Green Belt
Johnny Clemens - Junior Green Belt
Carson Youngblood - Junior Blue Belt
Syd Miyasaki - Junior Blue Belt
Kyle Speagle - Junior Blue Belt

All our students are putting in outstanding effort with a great attitude. Great job and keep up the good work.

Sensei John Carter

Spring Training Camp

We are holding our Spring Training Camp on Saturday, April 18th. We will have instructors representing three martial arts at our Columbia, SC academy on Saturday afternoon from 12:30 to 5:30 followed by a dinner at the dojo at 6:00. Our training schedule is as follows.

Sensei John Wyndham: Nihon Goshin Aikido
Sensei John Carter: Nihon Goshin Aikido
Mr. Jack Walker: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Kyoshi Gary Shull: Kempo

*Space is limited so register early*

We will be accepting early registrations. If you are interested in attending, contact Sensei John Carter of the Columbia, SC dojo at 803.951.3559 or at senseicarter@gmail.com.

New Year - New Yudansha - Black Belt Presentation

2009 is starting out great. We are having heavy attendance in all classes with many new students joining our dojo. Our new curriculum programs have been rolled out and students are responding positively to our updated training methods. We had a recent double black-belt promotion with David Wilkerson and Jared O'Connor receiving their Sho-Dans. They both worked extremely hard and showed their personal character to be deserving of this honor. We had 30 people in attendance to participate in this special rank promotion. During the presention, I explained the meaning of "sho" and how it applies to our new black belts. David and Jared make the 12th and 13th black-belt out of the Columbia, SC dojo.

Congratulations and good work.

Sensei Carter

New 2009 NGA (Nihon Goshin Aikido) Fundamentals Course

Sensei John Carter of the Aikido Academy of Self-Defense of Columbia, South Carolina has designed an innovative, specialty course for students of all levels who are interested in learning and drilling fundamental self-defense techniques. This is an eight-week revolving course consisting of basic self-defense tactics. We will run this course in our group classes along side our standard curriculum of classical techniques, self-defense applications, weapons defenses and attack lines. This course will be rolled out on Monday, January 5th, 2009.

2008 Year End Message From Sensei Carter

We have had a wonderful year here at the Columbia, South Carolina dojo. We have seen tremendous growth in our youth, adult and specialty programs. Our student body is the best. Our students work hard, have great attitudes and love to learn. I have personally been edified by the commitment the students have to the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido as well as living true Budo or "way of the warrior".

We hosted two successful training camps this year as well as a fun and action packed summer camp for the youth. We also had three sho-dan candidates pass their tests this year. We were able to promote one this year, and will have a double black-belt ceremony in early 2009 for the other candidates. We will have at least three sho-dans testing for Ni-Dan (2nd degree black-belt) in 2009, which is very exciting for our school. We have a host of students who have completed general rank tests and will kick off the New Year with many more students who are currently preparing to test. We will add more specialty classes in 2009 as more students are interested in our grappling, sparring and weapons offerings. There will be other upcoming procedural and instructional updates, so stay tuned and watch for special announcements.

Our new location in Irmo is well established and classes are filling up. I will be considering expanding the class hours at that location. Additionally, our associate school in Spartanburg, SC is also doing well. The Spartanburg dojo owner, Sensei John Wyndham and I have worked through alot this year in regards to our dojo operations and we will complete this year on a tremendously positive note. 2009 will be a great year for learning and training at both our dojos. I want to say thanks to my friend Sensei John Wyndham. He and I have known each other and have trained together for 23 years. We came up the ranks together, helped each other achieve our Sho-Dan, Ni-Dan and San-Dan certifications. We support each other in running our dojos, teaching our students, and improving our own martial skills. Mr. Wyndham is a great friend and I wish him and his family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

To all the Columbia, South Carolina students and those who have moved away from Columbia recently, I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Looking forward to a great New Year!

Sensei John Carter

Fall Training Camp - Columbia, SC Dojo

We held another successful training camp on Saturday, October 25th, 2008. The training was held from 12:30 to 5:30 and followed by a dinner at the dojo at 6:00. Sensei John Wyndham covered reversals and recoveries from Nihon Goshin Aikido, Sensei John Carter and Jack Walker taught students how to integrate techniques from Nihon Goshin Aikido and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The camp finished up with Sensei Gary Shull teaching movement and striking principles from Kempo. We had students in attendance from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee totaling 40 participants. Everyone had a great time and we all learned much about all the Martial Arts represented. I appreciate those who travelled to our academy in support of our training camp and especially appreciate all the Columbia dojo students who helped with organizing the event. Our student body showed a warm and welcoming spirit to all our visitors. We look forward to hosting another camp soon.

Sensei John Carter