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aikido without borders
August 2009 
Aikido Without Borders
Posted on Oct 22nd, 2008
by 
Miles
Miles
Historical first – Aikido demonstration and children’s class in Bethlehem.
On Sunday, Oct. 19th, 2008, “Aikido Without Borders” conducted a historical first aikido demonstration and children’s class in Bethlehem.
A.W.B. is a fledgling N.G.O. primarily working in Israel/ Palestine that is dedicated to bringing the practice of aikido to troubled areas where borders, both real and imagined, perpetuate a culture of separation and conflict. Since 2005 we have been active in Israel, East Jerusalem and the West Bank. For the Bethlehem demonstration we had A.W.B. students participating from Ramallah, Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Japan and the United States.
The demonstration and class were held at Bethlehem’s SOS Children’s village. SOS is an international NGO that has children’s villages in 132 countries and territories around the world. They have been active in the field of children's rights, needs and concerns since 1949. SOS’s activities focus on children without parental care and children of families in difficult circumstances.
After the demonstration the members of "Aikido Without Borders" gave an aikido introduction class for the children of the village. There were about 50 kids who participated in the class and it was lots of fun. Once we got into the “ukemi” (rolling practice) the kids were able to get their first experience of aikido’s “art of falling”.
I was happy to lead the class together with a special guest from Japan, Makiko Sakurai who is a visiting student at Tel Aviv university. Makiko san is a 4th degree black belt out of Hombu dojo in Japan who also has a professional background in social work with disadvantaged children.
Makiko lead the kids in basic aikido movements and also taught them how to count and say thank you in Japanese. Arigato gozaimashita Makiko san!
I want to give a big thanks to all the students form Ramallah and East Jerusalem as well as Deborah Hyams for helping set up this event for the kids.
Aikido Without Borders will be starting a regular Aikido Kids project at the SOS school in Bethlehem. O’sensei said that “aikido is for the whole world”. By crossing borders, going beyond the walls, and meeting on the mat through this art, it is easy to understand how we truly are all part of one world.
Access: PublicTagged with: aikido without borders, israel, palestine, sos, bethlehem, miles kessler, makiko sakurai
I am in tears of gratitude for your BEAUTIFUL effort! THANK YOU Miles!
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
for making a genuine difference!
”Aikido Without Borders will be starting a regular Aikido Kids project at the SOS school in Bethlehem. O'sensei said that “aikido is for the whole world”. By crossing borders, going beyond the walls, and meeting on the mat through this art, it is easy to understand how we truly are all part of one world.”
YEA!!!!!!
Hi Michele,
Since joining your circle of friends the feeling of your positive energy is a regular source of support and inspiration. Thanks for spreading the love. Fully recived and radiated back!
Miles
I'm just a mirror, Miles. But thank you, all the same.
What I am grateful for is your love in action.
Way to go!
Amazing. I sometimes find myself at a loss trying to explain what a difference aikido has made in my life–and at such a deep level. It's beautiful to think that you're playing such a role in spreading this practice and energy and way of being. Thank you. :)
Wow.
…How absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing, Miles. I only learned of akido a few weeks ago when I joined Gaia, and I fell in love early on due to some great discussions on the Robert Augustus Masters pod.
I look forward eagerly and with gratitude to a time when I will be able to learn akido much more in depth.
Thank you so much for your inspiration and your Heart.
Many Blessings,
Mercale
Yes, aikido does indeed touch us in deep places. My experience is that by coming in contact with the very principles of aikido itself, we are coming into contact with some of the most beautiful depth we have within us. AND, we are doing so with another. At such a depth, all diffirences truely do disolve into the beauty of this art.
Wish I could have been there! That is some challenge you are engaging into. It is always wonderfull to see how during practice all the differences we otherwise find so important, suddenly disappear, no more color, no more religious views, just you and your partner exploring together and enjoying the movements.
Gamabate……
Dear Miles and all the participants of this amazing event.
Way to go! Cheers from Rehovot.
peace greetings,
Ze'ev.