At the upcoming retreat, Epworth member Brandon WilliamsCraig will offer the somatic (bodymind oriented) facilitation method he created for "doing conflict well". His method is called Martial Nonviolence(MNv http://martialnonviolence.com) and begins with zero-impact aikido movements almost everyone can do and martial but nonviolent principles which help keep your body safe under pressure without fighting. These movements and principals suggest communication strategies which are then built into habits using theater skills so that practitioners develop authentic leadership techniques. The youngest students of this work are three years old and the eldest, thus far, is seventy four. Peace is thereby a practice, rather than a recommendation, practiced by those with no experience as well as by professionals making decisions which affect thousands of people. When a class series or seminar is designed for a particular community to explore MNv, that event or series of classes is called Peace Practices(PxPX http://peacepractices.com), a learning process which is now internationally funded and moving into its second phase in the San Francisco Bay Area through the mutual effort of Association Building Community and Pacific Rim International School on both their Emeryville and San Mateo campuses. Please come ready to play, share stories which have troubled you, care for yourself in whatever way seems best, and practice peace ("conflict done well") together!
Our class at the Suitcase Clinic was a wonderful success! Around forty homeless women, kids, and volunteers participated, while others watched and enjoyed, while much was learned by all.
Our coordinator at the Clinic was incredibly together, welcoming, and had this to say after:
I wanted to thank you and your team for coming out tonight! It was truly amazing seeing everyone learn and interact with each other. We got some great participation from the women at the clinic, as well as many volunteers from The Suitcase Clinic. This was the best Fun Friday turn out we have ever had! I hope you enjoyed this experience as much as we did.Here is one of the pictures we took tonight.Best,Monica Eng
Lasting thanks to Golden Bears yudansha Vivian Tran, and to Aikido of Berkeley uchi deshi Joe Zummo and Justin Tyle for all their support! Joe's farewell party is next Tuesday's (March 4th) 8:30pm potluck at AiBerk. Please come to wish him well.
A Reminder:
Help work like this continue and grow! Pay what you can. If you can't, don't. Really. Always train, no matter what. Bring your friends.
Also...
DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Please set up an automatic donation for whatever you can afford here at Association Building Community by clicking on Free Aiki Dojo Partnership, and thanks!
As always, please follow either of our Twitter feeds for the latest changes, weekly class times, etc. at:
http://twitter.com/freeaiki
http://twitter.com/gobearsaiki
From 6-6:30 you are welcome to an informal warm-up and Q&A session.
6:30-7:30 is a basics class with Brandon Sensei, and 7:30-8:30 is a general class with Kayla Sensei.
Wednesday at 1514 University Ave
Thursday on campus
Friday at 1514 University Ave
2:30pm-4:30pm at 1514 University Ave is a sempai lead study group.
Saturday at 1514 University Ave
10:30am - 12pm is at 1514 University with Ricardo Sempai or Brandon Sensei.
Brandon Sensei
Some maps for locations:
http://berkeley.edu/map/maps/CD56.html
Free Aiki Dojo (hosted by Aikido of Berkeley)
1514 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94703
P.S.
As always, no previous experience is necessary.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/goldenbearsaikidoclub
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/freeaiki
If you haven't checked out the Facebook Group James just kicked off, by all means go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoldenBearsAikido/
--
from Brandon WilliamsCraig Sensei Ph.D. 4th dan
GoldenBearsAikido.com ~ FreeAiki.com
Skype bdwilliamscraig (510) 962-3921
Here are some links to his story:
- 2014 Great March for Climate Action
- Walnut Street Co-op (where he lives)
- NVC in Eugene (NVC = Nonviolent Communication)
He needs a place to put his head on a pillow on Feb 13th and 14th.
Can you help?
Please comment here, then email John Abbe at johnca at ourpla dot net and cc administration at abcglobal dot net so that we know he has been sheltered.
Thanks!
P.S. while he is here, please consider attending his NVC introduction http://www.meetup.com/ebcoho/events/165388382/
Sunday, February 16, 2014
9:00 AM to 1:00 PMThe Long Haul
3124 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA
Hello John,
I'm responding to a request from Brandon to give you housing for tonight and tomorrow night. I live in Albany, CA (next to Berkeley) and I have space if you are still looking. I am about a 10-15 minute walk from El Cerrito Plaza BART station.
One caveat - I've had a bad cold for a week now and do not know how contagious I may still be. I wouldn't want to share any germs with you at the beginning of your long march so will totally understand if you prefer to find other lodging. I'm not able to provide meals (just cause I don't really cook much especially when I'm under the weather) however, you are welcome to use of my kitchen.
peace,
Thanks for hosting me, Judy! (and Brandon for networking)
The magic of networks and community comes through again...
Thanks to Judy!
ABC supports and Brandon WilliamsCraig hosts the Culturesmith Roundtable next
on Sunday, February 9th, 2014, beginning at 5pm
at 5739 McBryde Ave. in Richmond, California
Brandon WilliamsCraig here.
My work has to do with the ways that mythological study and archetypal psychologies shape the cultures in which we live. We've begun a roundtable, a learning environment where careful consideration is given to some of the core ideas of our culture and generation. I long for meaningful and thoroughgoing thinking, feeling, and creativity surfaced through deep participation, research, presentation, and committed listening.
In partnership with ABC, I have invited several others who are known for work like this, and we will enjoy occasional visits from people whose names and work you will recognize. Please consider coming. We will each invite other people, potentially unknown to the others but all ready to seriously engage this work, when we have a sense of the first iteration.
Make sure to RSVP by commenting here so I can send you the mobile number you will need to call to get in the gate.
Please "like", share, and invite your friends, and then save the next date as well - Wednesday, March 9th, at 5pm
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