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The St Albans Ki Aikido club has been around for many years. Originally started by Sensei Frazer Biscombe, his assistant, Sensei Liz Jauncey took the club over when he moved to Japan some 7 years ago. Recently however Sensei Jauncey has unfortunately had to give the club up on the grounds of ill health and has passed the reigns on to Sensei Vince Picton. Sensei Picton has been practicing with the Ki Federation for around 8 years and holds a 2nd Dan. The club meets every Sunday at a well run modern hall in Tyttenhanger Green, St Albans, and is one of only a very small number of Aikido clubs in Hertfordshire run under the banner of The Ki Federation of Great Britain. Classes generally range anywhere from 4 to 15 students in size, and we welcome anybody who may have an interest in joining us to come along and watch a lesson. The club and indeed the federation is full of very friendly, welcoming people, so you needn't worry about stepping into the unknown. Students range from beginners to 2nd Dan and there are no set periods for admitting new beginners, you can start at any time. We all practise together and can incorporate basic and more advanced techniques for different people within the lesson. At the beginning you can just come in loose clothing like a tracksuit for instance, preferably with no zips, buttons or anything else that could potentially hurt somebody. You will also need to remove any jewellery or at lease stick plasters over anything that you can't remove. Lessons are generally 2 hours long. The first 50 minutes is more focussed on learning about and developing ki, whilst the last 50 minutes is usually spent practising Aikido techniques. Between the two halves we sit together for tea and biscuits and a chat. Every teacher is aware that people come in all shapes, sizes and abilities and we teach depending on each individual student's needs - don't worry, we won't be running around a field or doing hundreds of pressups, we'll leave the fitness to you. |
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In order to practice you must first get insured by paying the membership fee. This is an annual cost and must be paid in one single payment. Class fees can either be paid as and when you come to the class or monthly by cheque or cash, or monthly by standing order. You will at some point need to buy the proper clothing but you can talk to us about that. The only other cost you may incur are grading fees, which range from £12 to £28, and if you want to go to any of the organised courses.
CLASS FEES ADULT: £6 YOUTH: £5 CONCESSIONS: £4.50
MEMBERSHIP FEES ADULT (17 & OVER) £36 (If a member is still studying at 17 years old they can HUSBAND & WIFE £56 |
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Sensei Vince Picton, from Flamstead near St Albans took over the club in May 2008 when his sensei had to retire from Aikido owing to ill health. Having dabbled in Karate as a youngster he took up Tae-Kwon-Do in 1999 and, having read a couple of books on the subject, took up Aikido some months later. At first it was interesting to see the differences between the two arts, but after a while it became apparrent that Aikido was far more than he first realised. Having been amazed at the effectiveness of simple movements tested in his Tae-kwon-do club for taking a knife, Vince became more fascinated with Aikido. He took his Tae-kwon-do black belt grading but failed owing to a torn Gastrocnemius muscle. Very soon after he decided to concentrate all his efforts in learning Ki Aikido, which had a great deal more mental stimulation and wonder to offer. Originally taught By Sensei Frazer Biscombe (3rd Dan), Vince often travelled to Northampton to train with Sensei Walters (7th Dan) and later Sensei Liz Jauncey (4th Dan). He also spent and still spends much of his time on Ki Federation courses held in Sommerset and Muswell Hill, which are taken by 7th and 8th dan teachers, or even Sensei Margerate or Sensei Williams himself.Vince is now a 2nd Dan black belt in Aikido and still very much enjoys the challenge of learning and developing it's true power.
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St Albans Aikido Club News and Events August 2008 Vince and Gary are back from America. We have had quite a bit of interest in the club from potential members and hopefully we will see some of them soon. Also the prospect of a childrens class is looking likely. Classes are normal time still until the 19th of October.
July 2008 Gradings Well done to Liam, James, Emily, Ian and Dermot for passing their gradings earlier this month. We had a great time at the course which was taken by Sensei. It was nice to see Matt again (he came along to see the gradings) and we stopped along the way for an indian dinner in the evening. Other News Don't forget that class is cancelled for the 23rd and 30th of August as Vince and Gary are of to Washingto DC for a friends' wedding.
June 2008 Gradings Vince and Gary both passed their 2nd Dan gradings in Mark on the 23rd. He and Gary travelled down the night before and stayed at Mrs Puddy's (Laurel Farm). There were only three people grading and everybody passed. In the evening there was a course, taken by Sensei Williams. As there were only three gradings the course was quite small which was even better. There was a social in the evening at the Sexeys Inn in Blackford. It is the first time we have been to The Sexeys. The food was quite nice as were the staff and surroundings. We later went back to a hotel in Highbridge that had a little pool and a bar. The barman lent us a DVD player and sold us a Jug of beer and some bottles of Smirnoff Ice so we could celebrate with Turbo-Shandys whist watching all our mistakes on the TV.
Other News Emily did the Race For Life in Watford this month. Not only did she do it in fact but she still managed to come to the lesson afterwards. What's more, she raised over £1000 for cancer research. Well done Emily :-) Liam is getting over his many accidents and will hopelly be well enough to come back soon.
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Sensei Vince Picton Telephone: 07810 836 618 email: vince@stalbansaikido.co.uk
Charles Morris Hall Tyttenhanger Green Tyttenhanger St Albans Hertfordshire AL4 0RN
The Ki Federation Of Great Britain The Causeway Mark Somerset TA9 4PZ
Tel: 01278 641166
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