2020 : A retrospection (Part 1)
by Stefan
This year has been a difficult year for all of us, and that goes for the Aikido community as well. Dojos all over the world have been struggling with the consequences of coronavirus-related restrictions. In China, just like everywhere else, dojos had to close for months due to the lockdown, which made regular training impossible, and as a result, members left. For some dojos, shrinking memberships led in turn to financial difficulties, posing an existential threat.
So, 2020 brought us a lot of challenges, and looking back now I can´t help but thinking that our dojo has been quite lucky, in many regards. After the outbreak of the pandemic and the beginning of the lockdown in Beijing, all dojo activities were put on hold, of course. But after “only” two months we were able to start at least with weapons training. Twice per week we met in Ditan Park and trained outside (practicing social distancing, of course). During that time, I was worrying a lot about the future of the dojo, and therefore for me, even more important than the training itself was to keep contact with my students, to encourage them not to abandon Aikido, and to make sure that Aikido stayed on their minds.
So, 2020 brought us a lot of challenges, and looking back now I can´t help but thinking that our dojo has been quite lucky, in many regards. After the outbreak of the pandemic and the beginning of the lockdown in Beijing, all dojo activities were put on hold, of course. But after “only” two months we were able to start at least with weapons training. Twice per week we met in Ditan Park and trained outside (practicing social distancing, of course). During that time, I was worrying a lot about the future of the dojo, and therefore for me, even more important than the training itself was to keep contact with my students, to encourage them not to abandon Aikido, and to make sure that Aikido stayed on their minds.
Weapons training in Ditan Park
After the more severe restrictions were lifted, we were able to resume our long-awaited regular training in the beginning of June, first in the Haidian dojo, and sometime later, in 27 Yard as well. And I was happy to see that most students found back to their old form rather quickly. For them, the main problem was not the technical side of Aikido (they remembered the techniques pretty well), but to get back the physical fitness they had lost. Everybody trained so well that I decided to hold kyu grading exams at the end of August. And when I saw the students performing so very well during the exams, I finally felt relieved: I was reassured that our dojo was back to normal!
Training in the Haidian dojo …
… and in 27 Yard
Yuanr and Xiao Hei, our Aikido cats at 27 Yard, are still with us
Sadly, however, dear Baozi, our third Aikido cat, passed away in May. We will always remember you!
Sad to say, our dojo lost a number of members this year due to the coronavirus restrictions. But on the other hand, we found even more new members. We did two promotion events in October which both were very successful, and so, despite all the difficult circumstances, our dojo has still managed to grow a little this year. When I think of it now, I am still astonished.
At the promotion event in Renmin University
Our youngest dojo members
Another good news is that our Aikido Club at the Peking University Middle School is back to normal, too! Of course, training with our Aikido kids was suspended during the entire spring term, but after the summer holidays regular classes started again. Many thanks to the school who has been so supportive, and to Elie who helped me teaching there!
Training in the Aikido Club of Peking University Middle School
There are, of course, some regrets as well, the biggest of them being that we were unable to hold two seminars we had planned for May: one with Takase Shihan, our Chief Instructor, the other one with Claude Berthiaume Shihan from Aikido de la Montagne in Montreal. However, these seminars are only delayed, not cancelled, and I am looking forward to welcoming both instructors to Beijing someday, hopefully not too far in the future.
Second, we were unable to attend the Aikido Shinryukan 50th Anniversary International Gasshuku in New Zealand. Four of our students and myself were planning to make the trip to Auckland: we had already booked our flights and hotels and were ready to go when the pandemic hit and the restrictions for international travel were imposed. Luckily for Shinruykan New Zealand and all participants, the gasshuku could still go as planned, just before the pandemic also hit New Zealand and a lockdown was imposed.
Second, we were unable to attend the Aikido Shinryukan 50th Anniversary International Gasshuku in New Zealand. Four of our students and myself were planning to make the trip to Auckland: we had already booked our flights and hotels and were ready to go when the pandemic hit and the restrictions for international travel were imposed. Luckily for Shinruykan New Zealand and all participants, the gasshuku could still go as planned, just before the pandemic also hit New Zealand and a lockdown was imposed.
Personally, I also regret that I was unable to go to Montreal this summer and practice in Claude Berthiaume Shihan´s dojo, like I did last year. I hope I am not being overly optimistic when I think about going there next summer!
I also miss attending seminars and the contact with the Aikido community, inside and outside of China. There are so many Aikido friends from other dojos whom I haven´t seen at all this year, and it is my wish for 2021 that we can re-establish our contacts and meet again on the mats!
Special regards go out to our member Dana who got caught by the international travel restrictions in February while she was travelling abroad, and until now has not been able to return. We hope to see you again some day and practice Aikido together!
I also miss attending seminars and the contact with the Aikido community, inside and outside of China. There are so many Aikido friends from other dojos whom I haven´t seen at all this year, and it is my wish for 2021 that we can re-establish our contacts and meet again on the mats!
Special regards go out to our member Dana who got caught by the international travel restrictions in February while she was travelling abroad, and until now has not been able to return. We hope to see you again some day and practice Aikido together!
Finally, I want to thank all my students,old and new, for their invaluable support! Without your help, our dojo could never be where it is now.
Impressions from our second grading exam in December
For the new year 2021 I wish everyone good health, happiness and joy of life!