“bright outlook and happy disposition”

Apr 18
2009
Masa
Kokoro

I first met Ben Sensei in 2007 when he occasionally taught at the Calgary Aikikai. His enthusiasm and expertise left a lasting impression on me, so much so that I joined SAIT Aikido. Ben always focuses on the positive and instils a “can do” attitude among his students. This applies to life’s challenges too and I always find myself reacting in a positive way, or trying to, when things get difficult. He continually emphasizes the practical aspects of Aikido, protecting vulnerable areas and pointing out aspects of the techniques that increase effectiveness. Another compelling characteristic is his bright outlook and happy disposition – life is too short not to be! Lest we forget, we should savour the time on the mat and enjoy the journey.

Weapons training with Sensei was certainly an eye-opener for me. I’ve been practicing now for about five years (in US, Indonesia, Japan & Canada) and instantly Ben Sensei made me aware of shortcomings of my technique, areas where I was vulnerable, the importance of timing and real intent. It helped me focus and strive to improve areas of weakness. It guided me back in the right direction.

For those of us who have had the privilege of training with Ben Sensei, I am sure we have all benefited in some way from his teachings, whether it be technical and/or philosophical. If you haven’t trained with Ben yet, please consider it an opportunity not to be missed!

Congratulations Sensei on your well-deserved promotion to 4th Dan.

- Andy Morton

This is from: Student Comments

  • What is Aikido?


    This noncompetitive Japanese martial art aims to harmonize energy with that of a partner or opponent in order to achieve both physical and emotional mastery through peaceful resolution. Aikido literally means the path to the coordination of body, mind, and spirit. Aikido is a defensive system of continuous, circular motions, combining many of the fluid, dance-like movements of t’ai chi along with more subtle, stylized techniques. When practiced properly, successful defense is achieved through minimal action. Originally seen as a combination of religion and martial arts, aikido was created by Morehei Ueshiba in the early twentieth century.

  • Inaba Sensei


    Yasuhisa (Yas) Inaba Sensei was born November 26, 1952 in Osaka, Japan. He married Keiko Inaba and immigrated to Calgary in 1980. Yas began his career in Canada as a petroleum engineer, as well as to begin his own dojo as a teaching master of Aikido. He later began his own business, practising and teaching acupuncture and shiatsu. Yas obtained his sixth degree black belt in Aikido and title of Shihan. Yas took great pride in teaching his children the art of Aikido and was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, teacher, healer and friend. He will be dearly missed by all his family, patients, friends and students.(November 26, 1952 – January 26, 2009)

  • Aikido Kobayashi Dojo


    Aikido Kobayashi Dojo is an organization founded by Kobayashi Yasuo Dojocho (head of the dojo) in April 1969 at Gakuen-Higashi-cho in Kodaira-city, Japan. With the ideal of spreading aikido to many, they strive to instruct aikido to many. Also, the uchideshi (live-in training) program of the dojo fosters many aikido instructors. Masa Kokoro Aikido and Ben Lim Sensei are directly affiliated with them.

  • Aikido History in Japan


    The year 1942 is often cited as the beginning of modern aikido. It was at that time that the Dai Nihon Butokukai, desiring to achieve a standardization in teaching methodology and nomenclature for modern Japanese martial arts, reached an agreement with the Kobukai representative Minoru Hirai to call the jujutsu form developed by Morihei Ueshiba aikido. Thus, AIKI BUDO joined the ranks of judo, kendo, kyudo and other modern martial arts.

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