Check the PHOTO GALLERY for pictures from the 2007 WEAPONS RETREAT!

Also see the Affiliations & Links page for a link to "smugmug" for more pics by Andrea Kaus ("General Info" tab, "Links," "More Event Pics")

17^th Annual Big Sur Weapons Retreat

September 5-7, 2008

Register here!

Douglas Ranch - Carmel Valley, California

Instructors:

Danielle Molles Smith, 6^th Dan   = Dennis Evans, 5^th Dan   = Michael Smith, 5^th Dan

Mitch Johnson, 4^th Dan     =     Cathy Jaeger, 4^th Dan   

"Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts." Morihei Ueshiba

History:

For 10 years Aikido of Monterey presented their annual Big Sur Weapons Retreat at Pico Blanco scout camp in Big Sur. During renovations at that camp, we changed the venue to Douglas Ranch in Carmel Valley. This year, once again, we will be presenting the Annual "Big Sur" Weapons Retreat at beautiful Douglas Ranch.

Description:

Experience 2 days of camping, training and fun at the Douglas Ranch Camp; a serene, natural setting amidst oak-covered hills along the Tularicitos Creek in beautiful Carmel Valley, 15 miles east of Carmel, California.

Activities:

Here's what we did last year (2007)...

This year we will deepen our relationship with the Jo and how that practice informs our everyday training. We will begin with basic practice movements, move to kata and paired practices, and then Jo "take away" (Jo dori). We will also coil and spiral with some practices from "Ki-flow Jo." Saturday and Sunday mornings will begin at 7:30 am with light Chi Gong stretching. Breakfast will follow at 8am.The Jo classes will begin at 9am. We have thirteen hours of great training in the outdoors planned! We have included a fun and practical clinic on the care of the Jo.

Please check back for 2008's retreat activities!

For leisure time or non-training participants, there is a wonderful swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, and serene contemplation of the "Art of Peace," practiced in the rollin' golden hills of California.

The facilities at Douglas Ranch include a large, rustic lodge with 3 dining rooms, each with a fireplace. The meals will be simple vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. Sleeping will be on provided cots in rustic, wooden cabins, accommodating 2 to 4 campers each. Couples will be in their own cabins. The nights are cool; bring a warm sleeping bag. The modern bathrooms and showers are centrally located amongst the cabins. 

Our entertainment committee will plan fun evening events on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bring a joyful spirit and:

Toilet articles, towel, sleeping bag and pillow, flash light, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.

Clothing: dogi, warm clothes for the evening, shoes to train in and walking shoes.

Weapons: jo (if you do not have a jo, there will be some extras available for use during the camp)

Optional: games, musical instruments, swimsuit.

Check the PHOTO GALLERY for pictures from the 2007 WEAPONS RETREAT!

Also see the Affiliations & Links page for a link to "smugmug" for more pics by Andrea Kaus ("General Info" tab, "Links," "More Event Pics")