AIKIDO - TESTIMONIALS
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Testimonials are divided into two types. One, Instructor/Class Testimonials, where you can read what students have to say about the instructor (his or her teaching style) and class experience. And two, Aikido Principles Testimonials, where students share how they have experienced the principles of Aikido in real life.
Student and Visitor Testimonials Welcome. When sending testimonials, please include name, rank, and name of dojo. Submissions may be edited for content, language, etc. We reserve the right not to publish certain items should the content be deemed illegal, or damaging to the intent and purpose of respectful communications of Desert Wind Aikido.
Instructor/Class
In my research prior to attending class, I found that no other martial art compares to the energy and philosophy of Aikido. James Sterling sensei is a very creative tactical thinker that is always three moves ahead on most subjects. His instructions always lead to enlightenment. I strive to attain a fraction of the character that he demonstrates on a daily basis.
- Jeff Ortega, 5th kyu, A/C Mechanic
To everyone who never had the pleasure of receiving instruction from Steven Williams Sensei, know that James Sterling Sensei is most certainly the student of his whom I feel most closely embodies everything Aikido is supposed to be. I couldn't be more happy to know that James has opened his own school in Las Vegas. From my experiences with James, I'm confident that you are all enjoying the profound understanding of Aikido and the natural teaching ability that he possesses. I must admit that, now that I'm ready to return to the path of Aikido, I'm jealous of those who live in Las Vegas.
- Colin Du Pee, Phoenix Arizona
I really appreciate James as an instructor. He makes learning Aikido fun. He pushes us, because that's how we learn and improve, but he always tells us to work within our limits.
He never tells us we're doing something wrong. He'll show us a better way and allow us to discover what he calls "our Aikido", meaning what works best for us individually. I also like that he spends much time teaching us the basics: center and Ki development, and Ukemi. Ukemi are techniques of falling. The art of protecting oneself from injury.
- Ed P.
James' approach to teaching is very patient and philosophical. His teachings from the ground up truly help me embrace the true essence of Aikido. His examples are clear for me to understand and real. He would say that Aikido is "infinite", therefore there is no "wrong way" there is "our individual way" of effectively applying techniques. Sterling Sensei utilizes positive reinforcement in his teachings, creating a comfortable and "easy to learn" environment.
- Joe O.
"...I only trained under James a few times, I was able to pick up a better understanding of the techniques from him then I had from others after training two years with them. So needless to say James is an outstanding instructor."
- Bill, Las Vegas Nevada, LVMPD C/0 S.E.R.T.
Aikido Principles
After training for about two years I’ve discovered that I have become a student of movement. Having sustained a knee injury skiing, the movement and exercise that I perform in Aikido, particularly sitting in seiza (kneeling), I am no longer bothered with pain. I realize that Aikido is a life journey and I am merely at the beginning of the path. Aikido has made me more centered in my daily life, and helped me gain a more productive way of viewing my community and accepting those things that I cannot change.
- Odell Smith, 5th kyu
The martial art of Aikido, its principles and philosophy, has given me a sound methodology in handling human conflict (physical, emotional, and psychological). Due to Sterling Sensei’s commitment to the fundamentals (basic Aikido principles), my martial art development is consistent and effective. Receiving instruction in Aikido, I have a wider scope of self-awareness and self-control, enabling me to relate to many individual perspectives, and as a result avoiding unnecessary human conflict.
- Edsel Sanchez, 2nd kyu
One Aikido technique I have been able to use in real life is what James Sensei calls "100%". That means when performing a technique, focus on it 100%. Regardless of how well it was performed, forget about it and move on to the next technique and focus again 100%. I have experienced this at my work as a hotel Bellman. I may be performing a task and something happens to cause me delay or frustration. I simply forget about what has happened. It's in the past. I focus 100% ahead and on what needs to be done next. I am now operating more calmly and efficiently regardless of what may have just happened.
- Ed P.
In my life I have seen the Art of Aikido change peoples lives for the better. For this reason I chose this Martial Art above all. As a dice dealer here in Las Vegas, moments can get very stressful in the midst of some very heavy action. Some of the many things I have learned through Sterling Sensei is being aware of your environment, and preparing to receive Uke's (your partner) energy. This principle could be applied to my daily life as well as my work, because "I would rather be the hunter than the hunted."
- Joe O.
Aikido Kids
The instructors manage the class with a perfect balance of discipline and instruction. I am impressed that the instructors count and perform all the exercises in Japanese. I am always amazed at the amount of skills that my child walks away with, and the ability of the instructors, with a full class, to keep the entire class on task.
The people in my Aikido class are nice and kind of funny. Mr. Abraham instructs our class very well and so does Ms. Rose. Ms. Rose is good at helping when we practice and she is kind so when we ask her to help she does.
Mr. Abraham is also kind and we ask lots of questions. He pays attention to our details and helps us learn. I look forward to the class, but don’t like trying to get my homework done before I get there.
- Mykal Rycroft, Jr, 6th kyu, Age 7
I have found the Aikido Kids class to be structured, disciplined, formal and enjoyable for children to interact in.
- Anthony Mulholland, Parent
Student and Visitor Testimonials Welcome. When sending testimonials, please include name, rank, and name of dojo. Submissions may be edited for content, language, etc. We reserve the right not to publish certain items should the content be deemed illegal, or damaging to the intent and purpose of respectful communications of Desert Wind Aikido.
Instructor/Class
In my research prior to attending class, I found that no other martial art compares to the energy and philosophy of Aikido. James Sterling sensei is a very creative tactical thinker that is always three moves ahead on most subjects. His instructions always lead to enlightenment. I strive to attain a fraction of the character that he demonstrates on a daily basis.
- Jeff Ortega, 5th kyu, A/C Mechanic
To everyone who never had the pleasure of receiving instruction from Steven Williams Sensei, know that James Sterling Sensei is most certainly the student of his whom I feel most closely embodies everything Aikido is supposed to be. I couldn't be more happy to know that James has opened his own school in Las Vegas. From my experiences with James, I'm confident that you are all enjoying the profound understanding of Aikido and the natural teaching ability that he possesses. I must admit that, now that I'm ready to return to the path of Aikido, I'm jealous of those who live in Las Vegas.
- Colin Du Pee, Phoenix Arizona
I really appreciate James as an instructor. He makes learning Aikido fun. He pushes us, because that's how we learn and improve, but he always tells us to work within our limits.
He never tells us we're doing something wrong. He'll show us a better way and allow us to discover what he calls "our Aikido", meaning what works best for us individually. I also like that he spends much time teaching us the basics: center and Ki development, and Ukemi. Ukemi are techniques of falling. The art of protecting oneself from injury.
- Ed P.
James' approach to teaching is very patient and philosophical. His teachings from the ground up truly help me embrace the true essence of Aikido. His examples are clear for me to understand and real. He would say that Aikido is "infinite", therefore there is no "wrong way" there is "our individual way" of effectively applying techniques. Sterling Sensei utilizes positive reinforcement in his teachings, creating a comfortable and "easy to learn" environment.
- Joe O.
"...I only trained under James a few times, I was able to pick up a better understanding of the techniques from him then I had from others after training two years with them. So needless to say James is an outstanding instructor."
- Bill, Las Vegas Nevada, LVMPD C/0 S.E.R.T.
Aikido Principles
After training for about two years I’ve discovered that I have become a student of movement. Having sustained a knee injury skiing, the movement and exercise that I perform in Aikido, particularly sitting in seiza (kneeling), I am no longer bothered with pain. I realize that Aikido is a life journey and I am merely at the beginning of the path. Aikido has made me more centered in my daily life, and helped me gain a more productive way of viewing my community and accepting those things that I cannot change.
- Odell Smith, 5th kyu
The martial art of Aikido, its principles and philosophy, has given me a sound methodology in handling human conflict (physical, emotional, and psychological). Due to Sterling Sensei’s commitment to the fundamentals (basic Aikido principles), my martial art development is consistent and effective. Receiving instruction in Aikido, I have a wider scope of self-awareness and self-control, enabling me to relate to many individual perspectives, and as a result avoiding unnecessary human conflict.
- Edsel Sanchez, 2nd kyu
One Aikido technique I have been able to use in real life is what James Sensei calls "100%". That means when performing a technique, focus on it 100%. Regardless of how well it was performed, forget about it and move on to the next technique and focus again 100%. I have experienced this at my work as a hotel Bellman. I may be performing a task and something happens to cause me delay or frustration. I simply forget about what has happened. It's in the past. I focus 100% ahead and on what needs to be done next. I am now operating more calmly and efficiently regardless of what may have just happened.
- Ed P.
In my life I have seen the Art of Aikido change peoples lives for the better. For this reason I chose this Martial Art above all. As a dice dealer here in Las Vegas, moments can get very stressful in the midst of some very heavy action. Some of the many things I have learned through Sterling Sensei is being aware of your environment, and preparing to receive Uke's (your partner) energy. This principle could be applied to my daily life as well as my work, because "I would rather be the hunter than the hunted."
- Joe O.
Aikido Kids
The instructors manage the class with a perfect balance of discipline and instruction. I am impressed that the instructors count and perform all the exercises in Japanese. I am always amazed at the amount of skills that my child walks away with, and the ability of the instructors, with a full class, to keep the entire class on task.
The people in my Aikido class are nice and kind of funny. Mr. Abraham instructs our class very well and so does Ms. Rose. Ms. Rose is good at helping when we practice and she is kind so when we ask her to help she does.
Mr. Abraham is also kind and we ask lots of questions. He pays attention to our details and helps us learn. I look forward to the class, but don’t like trying to get my homework done before I get there.
- Mykal Rycroft, Jr, 6th kyu, Age 7
I have found the Aikido Kids class to be structured, disciplined, formal and enjoyable for children to interact in.
- Anthony Mulholland, Parent
