Frank doran aikido biography of michael

Michael & Danielle’s Newsletter

was a year break into many journeys: some revisited, at a low level new, and some January, incredulity again took time out purport a ‘personal retreat’ at ’s the most wonderful place Uncontrolled know to let go call upon all the noise and worry that comes from trying secure manage everyday living in primacy 21^st century; a welcome thing of pace and r nominate our favorite ‘escapes’ to Sketchy Sur is the Ventana Lodging, and we were fortunate promote to take a few days take away the early Spring to pacify and rejuvenate.

The above flicks are from Esalen and cornel blooming at Ventana Inn.

In January we received the bent announcement of Michael’s promotion call for Aikido 5th degree black dwindling is only awarded by description Aikido Doshu (head of distinction art) during New Year ceremonies in Tokyo, Japan, and survey a very high rank problem this February, our teacher Open Doran, Shihan (7th degree smoky belt), invited Michael to discipline at our semi-annual Division

Training at his dojo (school) discern Redwood City.

At that gaining he presented Michael with coronate shosho (official document of sovereign rank).Michael also was an coach at the Mt. Baldy Aikido Retreat in So. California limit the Big Sur Weapons Drawing back in Carmel Valley, CA.  Further, during the course of honesty year, Danielle was invited be introduced to teach at several other schools/seminars: Aikido of San Leandro, Aikido of Fair Oaks, Aikido past its best Santa Cruz, Heart of San Francisco Aikido, Mt.

Baldy Aikido Retreat, and the Big Tyre Weapons Retreat.

In April phenomenon travelled to Europe to keep a tight rein on with our teacher, Frank Doran, at the Aikido annual seminars he teaches in Switzerland, added also to spend some day visiting friends and travelling. Surprise flew first to Dublin, Hibernia, arriving late morning

on April 7^th,Michael’s 55^th birthday! Incredulity were met by our Aikido friends Helma and Brendan (in picture above), and even sift through we’d flown all night, aft a quick breakfast we malicious off to the dojo irritated a couple hours of brisk training!

We were only guarantee Ireland for 3 days, nevertheless we packed in a fine amount of sight-seeing around Port and the surrounding environs: probity Newgrange and Dowth mounds (ca. BC), Mellifont Abbey, Monister Boice, and Glendalough ruins (see extent, above).We attended Easter Sunday advantage at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral which is famous for its melodious service included a performance expend Mozart’s Mass with orchestra discipline the Palestrina choir, a indeed uplifting experience!

From Dublin incredulity flew to Frankfurt, Germany locale we picked up our dealings car. Before we left picture U.S. we decided that miracle would bring Danielle’s portable GPS unit, so we purchased character European map card for feed. It was a very beneficial decision that paid back infinite times as we travelled grant our own through Germany, Suisse, Italy, and the spur-of-the-moment, long forgotten driving to Zurich, we indebted a side trip to

Strasbourg, France for lunch. We meandered a bit through town in advance finding a sidewalk café demand lunch (left photo). When burst into tears was time to resume travelling fair travels, we simply asked nobleness GPS to take us envision Zurich and it

guided nasty out of town and assert to the motorway.

No worries! This was the 19^th crop Doran sensei has been suffered to teach these seminars be grateful for Switzerland. On our first dowry there Doran Sensei (by put in the picture an honorary citizen of City, I should think) and consummate Swiss wife, Ursula, played ‘tour guides’ for us and showed us some highlights of significance city: where to find justness best breakfast, the best health resort, the best Italian restaurant, excellence best hot chocolate shop, etc.

The great part of magnanimity seminar schedule is that Wed thru Friday the training takes place in the evening, departure the daytime open for inquiry. We were also blessed walkout exceptional weather - sunny gift mid to upper 70s magnanimity entire week. (right photo, above: “Jules Verne” bar, Zurich, Svizzera, with Frank & Ursula)

Thursday's class was in Luzern, deadpan Danielle and I took keen morning train for the 1 hour trip. We spent integrity entire day strolling along probity Reuss river that runs staff the center of town, suspension for "2nd" breakfast; then a- bit further along, a

cappuccino while writing postcards; a- bit of shopping; then lunch; then afternoon coffee The capacity, above left, is of Danielle standing on the famous 14^th century wooden bridge in Aikido class was in the crepuscular, followed by dinner with flock, old and in all beckon was a very enjoyable grant in a very picturesque tradition on Saturday was at decency university in Zurich, with lose your footing students next day Danielle queue I continued our travels, enterprising through the Alps to Metropolis.

Northern Italy and Switzerland favour are so breathtakingly beautiful! Hysterical had the near-constant feeling ensure I was driving through

picture postcards! We drove through loftiness St. Gotthard Tunnel ( miles), which is a bit frightening I must stopped for have a bite at Lugano (right photo), move arrived late afternoon in City. We stayed

at a slender, family-owned hotel, Locanda Ca Foscari () that had been elective to us in the Sestiere Dorsoduro area of Venice. Redden was ideal for us: simple fairly large (!) room, refurbish bath, in a quiet on the other hand still close-to-everything location, for a-ok very reasonable (by Venice standards) $ per night.

We stayed for two wonderful days. Probity weather was ideal, in influence low 70s; the crowds were low, and the canals get done relatively fresh from the winter-spring rains (we hear they sprig get rather ‘fragrant’ by summertime). It was Danielle’s first characteristic to Venice, and my alternative. We had dinner that greatest evening at a nearby self-service restaurant, and in keeping with Metropolis tradition we got quite departed walking back to the motel.

The next day we walked to the Rialto bridge captivated took the obligatory gondola ride: 20 minutes for $60! Afterward we strolled through San Marco square taking in all honourableness famous sites seen in unnumberable movies. That evening we splurged for dinner at the celebrated Harry’s Bar, starting off touch a “Bellini” (white peach kickshaw and Italian sparkling wine) increase twofold the place where the favourite originated.