In this Issue:

Nic Mills Sensei embarked on his path in martial arts in 1974. In the beginning, his parents enrolled him in a judo club run by the Etobicoke Parks and Recreation Department. Nic studied Judo for 2 years until other activities took a precedence.

In high school, Nic was encouraged to join his school's wrestling team. The main reason for this was not Nic's ability or skill but his 4'11" height and 97 pound weight - the wrestling coach needed someone in the lower weight category to fill out the team roster! Nic worked hard at wrestling and in his fourth through sixth year won the Etobicoke Championship twice and the Toronto District Championship three times.

In university the study of martial arts resumed in an informal manner. A part-time job as a bouncer led to Nic being introduced to a fellow bouncer with a background in Aikido who shared some of his learning. The effectiveness of the techniques that he learned prompted Nic to find an Aikido club upon returning to Toronto.

In 1989, Nic found a dojo located in the Etobicoke Olympium. Known as the Jinbukan Dojo and affiliated with the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF), Roger Plomish Sensei welcomed Nic to watch a class. Asked what he thought of the class afterward, Nic's reply was: "Well, it looks a little fake." Plomish Sensei was curious: which part looked fake? Nic described the technique which turned out to be Nikkajo. Plomish Sensei graciously offered to show Nic Nikkajo first-hand. Nic went screaming to the mat and from that point on, was hooked on Aikido.

Studying with Plomish Sensei 5-6 days per week over the next 5 years, Nic achieved Shodan in September, 1993. By now, the passion for Aikido had grown to the point where Nic and his new bride, Anna-Marie, decided to go to Japan to teach English and learn more about Aikido. Nic enrolled in the 4th International Instructor's Course (Senshusei) which he completed in February 1995 and was promoted to Nidan. A few months after this, while still teaching English full-time and studying Aikido everyday, Nic was asked to help with the 5th International Course. To honour Nic's diligent study of Aikido, he was given the title of "Kitchen Boy" by the other staff. At the end of the course, Nic was asked by the Honbu Dojo if he would join the Dojo Staff as "Itaku Shidoin" or, Part-Time Instructor.

By April 1997, Nic had earned his Sandan from the top 5 Yoshinkan Instructors and was ready to return with Anna-Marie to Canada. Once home, Nic enrolled in the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto, and Anna-Marie began teaching with the Toronto School Board. As well, Nic rejoined the Jinbukan Dojo as an instructor and assumed some of the administration duties of the club.

With the help of fellow Black Belt John Havey, it was decided that it was time to start a club of their own. An application was put to the Honbu Dojo for a Dojo license for the "Sendokan" Dojo, which translates to: "SEN" - mastery through commitment and hard training, "DO" - way, and "KAN" - house. Sendokan therefore means, "The House of the Path to Mastery through Commitment and Hard Training". The Sendokan Dojo has become synonymous with providing exceptional Yoshinkan Aikido instruction and creating students of Aikido that embody high levels of skill and spirit.

The Sendokan Dojo is open to all that are interested in Yoshinkan Aikido at any level, and offers classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Etobicoke Olympium at 8:00PM sharp. The classes are conducted by Nic Mills Sensei (4th dan), John Havey Sensei (3rd dan) and Dawn Rusch Sensei (3rd dan). The Sendokan Dojo is registered with the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF). All instructors and senior student ranks are registered with the IYAF.

Keeping Your Center Line Straight:

One of the basics of Aikido is the principle of maintaining a straight line in the body. For most people, even if they try to stand straight, their centre line is not really straight. Even when we do stand straight and focus on keeping our centre line fixed, we lose it again as soon as we move. If this happens, then the purpose of Aikido, the development of breath power, becomes impossible.

If we are able to maintain a strong centre line whatever direction we move in, we have focused power. By forging this focused power, we are also promoting strong posture, concentration and breath power.

In order to develop focused power the first and essential training is Kamae. Once you have attained a stable centre in your Kamae, you will be able to maintain it in your techniques. When Uke resists so that the technique is no longer effective, by locking your hips and maintaining a straight centre line, your power will come through.

Taken from "Total Aikido", by Gozo Shioda (The Founder of Yoshikan Aikido).

Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art. To gain a full appreciation and understanding of Aikido, one must understand certain Japanese/Budo philosophies, customs and etiquette. This column will examine a point of etiquette that is important in the Dojo. In this issue, we will look at being punctual.

One of the most important aspects or lessons of Aikido or any martial art, is respect. Not just for your Senseis or other people in positions of authority, but for your fellow students and yourself. Its important that classes start on time as often as possible and that the flow of the class is not interrupted.

Every attempt should be made to be changed and on the mats prior to the start of class. If you are unavoidably late then you should sit in Seiza by the side of the mat until the instructor motions you on. You should then run to the instructor and bow to them. After this, join in the class without disrupting it, as quickly as possible.

To better serve you and your Dojo, changes to the Dues Schedule have been made. The Sendokan Dojo and its Senseis have made a long-term commitment to all the students. To allow an uninterrupted schedule of classes, we need the students to make a commitment to the Dojo. Part of the student's commitment is to attend as many classes as possible on an ongoing and regular basis.

In order to encourage good student attendance and to allow your Dojo to plan for the future, we need to maintain a stable cash flow. The Dojo pays rent, advertising and insurance, as well as other things every month. In order for your Dojo to remain strong and grow, a steady income is required. To this end, we have implemented the following Dues structure.

Pay as you go per class is no longer available with the exception of those students visiting from other Dojos. Regular dues are no longer paid on a monthly basis. There are 3 ways to pay dues:

The first method is an Annual fee of $720.00 which is in the form of 6 post-dated bi-monthly cheques of $120.00 each. Or, you can save by pre-paying 6 months for $330.00 which is a savings of $60.00 per year. That's like getting one month free! Another way is to pre-pay an entire year for $600.00 and save $120.00 or 2 months free!!! For new or curious individuals, the first week is at no charge. Family rates are also available.

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