Instructor Bio
Jamie Leno Zimron Sensei began training at Stanford University in 1976, and is an LPGA Golf Pro, Psychotherapist, Bodyworker, Corporate Speaker and Citizen’s Diplomat. She has trained extensively with Frank Doran and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, the Rev. Koichi Barrish Sensei, and across Aikido styles and affiliations. She is a pioneer in the women’s martial arts movement, and taking Aikido off the mat into sports, business, holistic health, peak performance and peacemaking. She founded and was Chief Instructor at the first-ever Women’s Aikido School in San Francisco, and guest instructs nationally and internationally. She is a co-founder of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors, Middle East Aikido Project and Israel Women’s Martial Arts Federation. On the Aiki Extensions Board, Jamie Sensei has helped launch and guide Training Across Borders, PeaceCamp Initiative, Aikido in Ethiopia and Palestine, and the new Seed Grants program. She received a national 2016 Award of Excellence and 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for her many contributions through Aikido. In May of this COVID year, Jamie Sensei co-founded the Aikido Solstice Seminars initiative. She is currently writing a comprehensive Aikido-based guidebook for life, and conducting virtual Aikido, Centered Way and KiAi Golf talks and trainings.
Class Description
This special seminar explores elements of waza, or technique training, and one’s own personal embodiment and expression of Aikido. Then we’ll move into a study of Kaeshi Waza / Reversal Techniques, practicing a variety of counters to delve into the art of ‘turning things around.’
Trying to overpower people or situations is difficult, and usually very iffy and unpleasant. To skillfully reverse and counter, it is vital to understand how techniques are constructed; discover openings; and learn to blend our movements with the energy-flow within the attack-response interaction. Kaeshi Waza is a fascinating mix of discipline and free-flowing spontaneity. It trains us to develop greater balance, connection, patience, and in-the-moment peacefully-powerful presence. Practicing Reversals is a wonderful way to train our capacity to creatively move with and transform challenging times, and can literally be a lifesaver!
“To float in totality, to have no technique, is to have all technique.” Bruce Lee
“The purpose of kata is to throw away the kata.” Taisen Deshimaru, The Zen Way to The Martial Arts
What to Bring to Class
Wear your gi, and bring a bokken and jo.
And please also have a chair available and a sweatshirt to use as props.
Beginners are warmly welcome.
We look forward to practicing with you on Saturday!
Please share this email with any and all you think might like to attend.
Thank you!
Brian Levy
Chief Instructor
NOLA AIkido
New Orleans, LA, USA