Ariff and Angela visit
August 24-29, 2006 Part 1 After 25 years, since our last visit with Ariff and Angela in southern Ohio, they came to visit us here in Santiago. Aside from catching up, Ariff came to conduct an Aikido seminar for the Latin American Aikido Federation. Ariff is a 6th degree black belt.

We were proud that Angela made the effort to make the trip, since she had to overcome her fear of flying. She had not dared to fly for 10 years. In recognition of her courage, we presented her with this semi-official "black belt in flying" certificate. She had already earned a black belt in Aikido, but she was just as proud of getting this one.

		Long time gymnast Artie gave Angela some tips on how to do a handstand, to help her in her yoga class instruction.

Divide and conquer! Artie and Ariff went out with Gonzalo and Cristián while Angela and Margy went out to sightsee, shop and have lunch.

After we all returned home, Cristián played his Baroque guitar for us. What an accomplished musician he is!
After music, Ariff led a private Aikido practice in Carmencita Dojo, on the ground floor of our apartment building.

		The next day, the weekend seminar began. Angela, who is also a yoga instructor, impressed us with her flexibility during the morning warmup.
The sessions were held in three hour blocks, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and again on Sunday morning at the central Santiago Dojo. Ariff talked about specific defense techniques, and later demonstrated fine points with participants selected from the group.

Ariff demonstrates the techniques while Artie translates.		Como así -- Like this

Projection and flexion. Angela, a black belt herself, also demonstrates excellent form.
While pairs of students practice each technique, Ariff circulates to offer individual instruction to help refine the skills.

For variety, defensive strategies against knife attacks (with a wooden simulation) were practiced as well.

We return to hand-to-hand combat defense, then learn another new defense: against a wooden stick, called a Jo.

The clatter of combat could be heard as we practiced together.

We ended the two-day, nine-hour weekend seminar with meditation, feedback, thanks and comments. We all learned a lot, thanks to Ariff's dedication to detail, patience with our attempts to learn new techniques, and his good humor. We then posed for several group shots, and relaxed with our old and new friends.

		Ariff and Sensei Hugo Veliz's family: son Hugo, wife Hayde, Sensei Hugo Veliz, and son Rodrigo. Ariff said goodbye to his many new friends, with hopes to return again someday for more seminars. A great couple of days with good exercise, plenty of learning experiences and lots of friendship.

After the Aikido seminar, some of us went to the country club for a late lunch. Cristián brought his new lute and played for us.

At the completion of the weekend of Aikido seminars, we took a day trip to the Pacific coast. The visit of Ariff and Angela continues in Part 2.