What's New:
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
16th Annual Alabama Training Camp Official Announcement!
From: Dr. David C. Todd
Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2006 12:53:47 -0600
Subject: 16th Annual Alabama Training Camp April 1st. Weekend.
Gassho All Branch Masters,
Rusty Loftin Sensei and I would like to invite all to our now 16th year of Shorinji Kempo in Alabama with our Spring training camp March 31st, April 1st and 2nd.
The training time will be as follows,
Friday March 31st from around 6:30 to 9:00
Saturday TBA
Sunday TBA but only till Noon or 1:00 PM due to return travel.
Location:
Snook Family YMCA
Foley, AL
We also have much time to socialize a lot and visit/dine at the beach, only 10 min. drive from the YMCA is Gulf Shores.
Andrew Sparks Sensei( 6th Dan), Lead instructor
Shiro Suzuki( 5th Dan), Assisting.
Possible Senior Guest Sensei from Tokyo might be joining the fun also.
Loftin Sensei(4th dan), Branch Master and Host might do some story telling
as well.
This is always a lot of fun and friendship to be had so please join us.
Please look on our website at bhamkempo.org for economy and standard lodging information which will be posted soon,
Kesshu,
Dr. David Todd
Branch Master
Shorinji Kempo Birmingham Branch
Rusty Loftin
Branch Master
Shorinji Kempo Alabama Branch
For those of you coming in from out of town for the camp, here are a few of the nearby hotels:
Best Western Inn
1504 S Mckenzie St, Foley, AL (0.71 miles away)
251-943-8600
$99
Super 8 Foley/Gulf Shores
1517 S Mckenzie St, Foley, AL (0.72 miles away)
251-943-3297
$72
Hampton Inn
2441 S Mckenzie St, Foley, AL (1.36 miles away)
251-943-6100
$115
Holiday Inn Express Foley
2682 S Mckenzie St, Foley, AL (1.66 miles away)
251-943-9100
$100
(Room rates are approximate and subject to change.)
For directions or more hotel choices, click here.
Thursday, May 19, 2005:
A letter from a visiting kenshi:
Dear New York City Branch members,
I did my demonstration at the company picnic on May 1. I got nervous but I think I did okay. I used a Bruce Lee movie soundtrack (Game of Death!), which helped me catch attention of people walking around the stage.
Unfortunately the stage turned out to be very small and it considerably limited my movement. In addition, I had to perform under the brilliant sun. The black carpet was scorching hot! I had to keep moving without a pause so that I could lift my feet off the carpet as much as possible. As a result, my footwork and kicks were terrible. It was so obvious that even my wife could point that out. My feet were burning that night.
I briefly explained what Shorinji Kempo was, but later some people came to me saying, "Show me your Tae Kwon Do kicks." Most people don't see the differences from other martial arts.
At any rate, this event gave me an opportunity to practice and get back in shape one and a half years after I left New York. Thanks to Ohashi Sensei for sending me the new badge.
Yesterday and today I was in Alabama on a business trip (I've just come home). Last night I practiced at the Alabama Branch in Birmingham. It was very pleasant to meet Todd Sensei, Suzuki Sensei, Kobayashi-san, and other fellow students. It is truly amazing that, whatever branch you visit, you can study the same exact Shorinji Kempo techniques.
The attached picture was taken yesterday (5/17). Dr. Todd, would you please forward it to Kobayashi-san?
Gassho,
Kohtaro "Kevin" Nishiyama
Columbia, SC
Thursday, February 17, 2005:
Better late than never!
For those of you planning on attending our camp the weekend of April 1st, here is a list of some nearby hotels with links to their websites:
Holiday Inn Express
Ramada Limited
Hampton Inn and Suites
Comfort Inn
Friday, January 21, 2005:
Gassho all Kenshi,
Please read this report from WSKO and from the area affected by the tsunami,
You will not forget this report.
Kesshu,
Dr. David Todd
Thursday, January 06, 2005:
Gassho all Branch Masters and Kenshi alike,
Rusty Loftin Sensei and I would like to invite all to our annual Alabama Shorinji Kempo Training Camp on April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd here in Birmingham.
We picked this date as to not interfere with those wanting to attend the Cornell Camp.
BHM airport is easy to get to from anywhere in the US and Canada so please come join us for lots of fun and great waza.
Last year we had 40 in attendance with new hopes for this year.
Andrew Sparks Sensei will be the lead instructor for the 3rd year in a row and will be covering techniques from San kyu to Go-dan.
The event will begin Friday night April 1st at 6:00 PM and end on Sunday until 2 PM so Sunday evening return flights are very possible with free kenshi shuttle service to and from the airport. On Saturday night we will have a cookout/party at my office included in the $40 with Saturday lunch and Dinner Party included in that price. We will also have light breakfast food around for each day as well.
This camp in Birmingham will be of special importance as we are now in the beginning stages of are New Branch Paperwork with WSKO and hopefully completed by that time. This will be an ongoing cooperation with the South Alabama Branch as we will alternate hosting this event every other year.
Please come join us in the great Kongo Zen Spirit and email or call us for any other information needed.
We have a large public school as the venue with plenty of room to practice with overnight accommodation at the school for anyone wanting to save on hotel fees (Please bring a bed role). We will post on the website next week about hotel information within a 5 minute drive from the venue and a 3 minute drive from my office.
Happy New Year to all
Kesshu,
Dr. David C. Todd
Birmingham Sub-branch
Alabama Shorinji Kempo
SHORINJI KEMPO is a non-profit organization.