Summer 2021 Gasshuku | Mountain West Aikido

Multi-Day Seminar with

John Messores, 7th dan

July 30 – August 1, 2021

John Messores Shihan will be returning this summer to conduct a multi-day seminar (July 30 – August 1, 2021). Over 50 participants at our 2019 event were treated to a weekend of inspiring aikido, top-notch instruction and memorable camaraderie! We expect an even greater experience at this year’s event with a more intimate setting and number of participants. The COVID pandemic caused the cancelation of last year’s seminar, but we are on track in 2021 to conduct a safe seminar. A “live in person” event that is complete with full contact training.

The 2021 event will be hosted at our downtown Billings, MT location. There will be a daily limit of 25 individuals allowed for training. This limitation provides for a safe and comfortable environment. Be sure to register as soon as possible and not be left out of participating in the first major Aikido activity for Montana in over a year!

RESERVE YOUR PLACE AT THIS SUMMER’S EVENT ($150 full seminar cost) by clicking on this link:
Reserve your place ($150 full seminar cost) by clicking on this link

Summer Gasshuku Countdown

John Messores is ranked as nanadan (7th degree black belt) in Aikido. He is one of the most senior instructors in the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba organization, and among the highest ranked Americans affiliated with Aikido Hombu (the world Aikikai headquarters), served as the organization’s (ASU) first president and he is also the Founder of Jionyuku Aikido Academy – Saint Petersburg, FL. Messores currently continues to serve as Board Member At Large and holds the position of Vice President for Communications & Test Quality in the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba organization. Messores Sensei is a member of the Ueshiba Juku, a designation recognizing direct transmission from the Founder and Mitsugi Saotome Shihan.

Messores Sensei began his training in Aikido in Sarasota, Florida in 1973. He was a member of the original Aikido dojo that invited Shihan Mitsugi Saotome to come to America in 1975, which became Saotome Shihan’s first dojo in the United States. In those initial years after Saotome Shihan came to America, Messores Sensei and a few other early students trained with him several hours a day under very intensive conditions for several years as Saotome Shihan’s true deshi (apprentices / disciples). Messores Sensei has been a personal student of Saotome Shihan for nearly forty years.

Messores Sensei was featured in the 1986 book Aikido and the Harmony of Nature (Shambhala Press) by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, the 2002 production The Budo Experience (Budo Productions LLC), and the 2002 Aiki Expo video (Aikido Journal).

SEMINAR SCHEDULE

Friday, July 30, 2021

Welcome and Opening

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Morning Keiko

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Lunch Break

12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon Keiko

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m..

Yudansha Exams-Demonstration

4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Aiki Community Potluck

6:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Morning Keiko & Closing

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Reserve your place ($150 full seminar cost) by clicking on this link

State of Montana, Yellowstone County and City of Billings COVID 19 restrictions:

The State of Montana does not require the wearing of masks for individuals or impose restrictions on the activities of businesses and/or social gatherings. This includes no quarantine requirements for those traveling from out of state. The State has directed individuals, businesses and organizations to self regulate safe and preventative protocols as appropriate.

View the directive implementing Executive Order 2-2021; Yellowstone County Health Officer and City of Billings Current COVID related Information via these links.

Mountain West Aikido encourages everyone to follow COVID transmission prevention “best practices” by wearing masks, limiting exposure to others and attending gatherings of small groups of 50 people or less. The wearing of a mask while training at MWA is optional and up to each individual. We implement rigorous sanitization practices at our facilities and require participants at all in person events to complete a health status questionnaire before beginning any activity. Anyone who does not feel well or has been recently exposed to the COVID virus is asked to exercise self enforcement by not participating in any MWA activity. Our events are 100% voluntary activities. If you are not comfortable being in close proximity with people outside of your immediate household, are not vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 approved vaccine and/or for any reason are hesitant to fully participate in the Summer Gasshuku activities, DO NOT REGISTER or ATTEND this event. Anyone under the age of 18 years old must have a signed authorization and liability waiver from a legal guardian or parent in order to participate in the Summer Gasshuku. If you have questions or concerns about your health and safety please contact the MWA Event organizers via email, telephone or in-person during the event.

We are dedicated to providing you with a safe and healthy experience.

For those coming to this event from out of town here is some information that you might find helpful.

Reserve your place ($150 full seminar cost) by clicking on this link

List of Local Restaurants within close proximity of the dojo:

Here are links to some of the most popular websites to book travel and lodging in Billings, MT:

http://www.travelocity.com

http://www.expedia.com

http://www.orbit.com

http://www.priceline.com

Here is a list of all major airline carriers serving Billings, MT:

https://flybillings.com/295/Major-Airlines

We have found excellent accommodations using http://www.airbnb.com

and http://www.vrbo.com

Reserve your place ($150 full seminar cost) by clicking on this link
We have a few available guest quarters being offered by MWA Billings Members who are generously opening up their homes to visiting aikidoka. Please send an inquiry email to mountainwestaiki@gmail.com to see if any accommodations are still available.