Colorado School of Integrated Martial Arts, Yama Dojo
Upcoming Events
The Colorado School of Integrated Martial Arts is in process of becoming a 501(C)(3) non-profit.
Our mission is to develop mind, body and spirit by encouraging personal growth and fostering community involvement through integrated martial arts.
Thank you for your support. Donations are appreciated.
Special events coming up...
Taiko Drummers March 12 and 14, 2012.
> read more
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Yama Dojo
Yama Dojo opened its doors in 2002 in Telluride, CO and moved to Salida in 2006. Yama Dojo has been in the current location located at 8th and J streets in Salida since August 2010. Rick Thompson Sensei has focused on developing a well rounded approach to martial arts that includes several disciplines. Currently the dojo is home to many classes including beginner and advanced aikido, kids aikido, jiujitsu, kendo, and other special events and classes including tai chi.
Please stop by to watch the classes if you have an interest in possibly joining or taking some of the instruction. Visitors are welcome.
Rick Thompson Sensei - Aikido
Rick Thompson Sensei began Training in Aikido in 1989 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After training at various small Dojos he made his home in Denver Co. Where he began his studies with Kancho Gaku Homma Sensei in 1995. Thompson Sensei has been with Homma Sensei every since. In addition to being a live-in student on various occasions to Nippon Kan, Thompson Sensei was also live-in student in Japan with Kawabe Sensei in Akita, Japan.
Thompson Sensei holds the rank of 5th Dan. In addition to teaching in the U.S. At Yama Dojo. Thompson Sensei has been invited on several international trips to acompany Homma Sensei. such as Itally, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, and Nepal to teach the Nepalese Army Rangers.
Thompson Sensei continues to train daily in Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, and Kendo.
Dan Shore - Jiu Jitsu
Dan began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2006 at the renowned Gracie Barra academy in Chicago. He currently has three stripes on his blue belt. He really enjoys the teaching aspects of the art not only as a way to impart knowledge but also as a way to sharpen his skills. He places great emphasis on creating a comfortable and safe learning environment.
Daemon Donigan - Kendo
Daemon Donigan Sempai has been practicing Kendo since 1994. Kendo is Japanese Fencing. The word Kendo literally translates to the way of the sword. Donigan Sempai originally started training under the instruction of Erick Alverio Sensei at the Creighton University Kendo Club, and is currently continuing his training in Colorado Springs. He is eager to share his knowledge and passion of Kendo.
Kendo isnt about winning, its about self improvement. As long as you learn something, even in a match you didnt win, youll never loose.
Yama Dojo Classes
Aikido at Yama Dojo currently has four types of classes, including youth 6-8 years old, youth 9 and up, beginner adult, and advanced. Download the schedule for all class times.
Typically a beginner takes 6 weeks of instruction before he or she is allowed into the advanced class. Each week, we practice the fundamentals of aikido, as well as the kyu level techniques as we each work on our belts. It is a constant work in progress and as Rick Sensei likes to put it, "it is your practice, we are here to help facilitate your goals."
Aikido involves blending with a partner in a uke (the person attacking and receiving the technique) and nage (person applying the technique) relationship. Each person gets their hand at applying the technique while also learning to receive the application. When we receive the technique, we perfect our falling skills.
Aikido can be fairly rigorous and is an excellent workout. The founder of aikido, Morihei Ushiba, said "Life is growth, if we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead."
Aikido involves both using the hands and weapons, bokken and jo.
Uchi deshi programs are available at Yama Dojo for 3 month terms. Contact Yama Dojo for more information.
"Jū" can be translated to mean "gentle, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding." "Jutsu" can be translated to mean "art" or "technique" and represents manipulating the opponent's force against himself rather than confronting it with one's own force. Jujutsu evolved among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon. Because striking against an armored opponent proved ineffective, practitioners learned that the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker's energy against him, rather than directly opposing it.
There are many variations of the art, which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools (ryū) may utilize all forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint locks, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking). In addition to jujutsu, many schools teach the use of weapons.
Today, jujutsu is practiced in both traditional and modern sport forms. Derived sport forms include the Olympic sport and martial art of judo, which was developed by Kanō Jigorō in the late 19th century from several traditional styles of jujutsu, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which was in turn derived from earlier (preWorld War II) versions of Kodokan judo. - Wikipedia
Kendo, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional samurai swordsmanship, or kenjutsu. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.
Practitioners of kendo are called kendōka, meaning "someone who practices kendo", or occasionally kenshi, meaning "swordsman" and the old term of kendoists is sometimes used,
The "Kodansha Meibo" (a register of dan graded members of the All Japan Kendo Federation) shows that as of September 2007, there were 1.48 million registered dan graded kendōka in Japan. According to the survey conducted by the All Japan Kendo Federation, the number of active kendo practitioners in Japan is 477,000 in which 290,000 dan holders are included. From these figures, the All Japan Kendo Federation estimates that the number of "kendōka" in Japan is 1.66 million by adding the number of the registered dan holders and the active kendo practitioners without dan grade.
Kendo is a way to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana.
Purpose
To mold the mind and body.
To cultivate a vigorous spirit,
And through correct and rigid training,
To strive for improvement in the art of Kendo.
To hold in esteem human courtesy and honor.
To associate with others with sincerity.
And to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself.
Thus will one be able:
To love ones country and society;
To contribute to the development of culture;
And to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples.
- Wikipedia
6 Week Course Starting Monday March 5th, 2012.
Mondays and Wednesdays 7:45-9pm
This course will be focused on practical self-defense. Awareness, avoidance, and escape techniques will teach you how to remove yourself from a potentially dangerous situation. Based on combination of martial arts, including aikido, tai chi, and more. We are taking the traditional wisdom of various martial art disciplines and applying them in non-traditional ways.
yamadojo-schedule.pdf
Aikido
Taiko Drummers Nippon Kan two special events - Santa Fe, NM and Denver, CO
Matsukawa Kyougake Taiko Drummers
Keiko Hajime January 7 2012 - Awards, demonstrations and potluck. Friends and family of the Dojo welcome!
Past Events
Aikido and Kendo demonstration at Buena Vista Teen Health fair
Buena Vista high school, 5pm-8pm, Aug. 28, 2011
Kancho Gaku Homma seminar, Sept. 3 and 4
All proceeds go to benefit AHAN Thailand educational center project
Cost $50
Jiu Jitsu
Check back for upcoming events.
The Dojo is available for rent for your special event. Please contact Rick Thompson Sensei to set up an event.
Kendo
www.ColoradoSpringsKendoK.com
Carl West Sensei
Nippon Kan Dojo
Denver, CO
Homma Gaku Kancho
www.nippon-kan.org
