2020 : A retrospection (Part 2)
Elie
2020 has been a strange year for everyone, and for everything, Aikido included. During the first weeks of lockdown, I tried to practice on my own, but after a while it just wasn't fun anymore. And then there were quite a few long months without any practice at all. In September I was finally able to come to the dojo regularly again, and got rid of that persistent itch to roll on the floor with my friends. For the past three months I've been having a lot of joy getting back in the swing of it, trying to get the feeling back for the moves I used to know better. It's been good to see old faces making a lot of progress, and also the new faces. I always think it's a treat to practice with the people of our dojo, different intensities, different approaches, all under the benevolent guidance of Stefan. We're very lucky to have such a good dojo at Shinryukan, and I'm looking forward to more in 2021!
Huang Chenkuang
It felt such a long wait before back to regular training in the dojo. I'm grateful that we're able to continue practicing and enjoy the interior tranquility aikido brought us among the overwhelming covid stress and anxiety.
I took the kyu grading exams in August and December, each time a reminder of a small but meaningful step further in aikido, and more, how much more is await to be learned and explored.
Sincere thanks to Stefan and everyone practiced together. I wish us a long and determined way ahead.
I took the kyu grading exams in August and December, each time a reminder of a small but meaningful step further in aikido, and more, how much more is await to be learned and explored.
Sincere thanks to Stefan and everyone practiced together. I wish us a long and determined way ahead.
Li Jing
Aikido-wise, 2020 has been very challenging for me. There were many times I wanted to stop practicing. The cancellation of the New Zealand trip was disappointing. When we resumed training in summer, I found it physically too demanding. However, Stefan was trying every means to keep a normal operation of the dojo and members, old and new, were practicing hard and making progress. As the saying goes, ‘if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together’. 2021, let us keep going together! (and a personal goal: do a proper forward roll…)
He Jiaxin
I started to practice Aikido with Stefan Sensei at the end of 2019. My exercise foundation is not particularly good, and I am a little fat, but after several months of exercises and weapon practice, I found that my ability to control the body is obviously better than before. At the end of 2019, I also passed the sixth level exam. In 2020, due to the epidemic, I did not continue training until the beginning of new semester in September. When I was doing other sports at home, I gradually realized the subtle impact of Aikido training on me. No matter what exercise I do, I feel that I have an impact on my body. The control ability is stronger than before. Although I can't practice specific techniques, I still deliberately practice some footwork when I am at home. After resuming training in September, I felt that the previous techniques were not unfamiliar, and in accordance with the Sensei's instructions, I began to become more familiar with the correct mode of force exertion, and learned and exposed to new techniques, even including some difficult movement like somersault. After the recovery training, I passed the Level 5 exam at the end of the year. This is also the affirmation of the Dojo and Stefan Sensei for my practice for this period of time. Day line, gentleman when self-improvement. In the coming 2021, I hope to continue to learn from Stefan Sensei and everyone in the dojo and make greater progress!
Vitaly
In the 1990's, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia experienced a period of many problems and instability. I was a university student at the time, far away from home. Following an advice from a friend, I began to learn Shorinji Kempo. In those difficult times, it became an anchor point for me and gave me self-confidence.
2020 was another difficult year, for all of us. After the nation-wide lockdown ended in May, I joined the Aikido training. And it gave me faith again, gave me inner peace and the strength to go forward.
2020 was another difficult year, for all of us. After the nation-wide lockdown ended in May, I joined the Aikido training. And it gave me faith again, gave me inner peace and the strength to go forward.
Xu Wenli
The pity of 2020 is that there was no training in one semester, so a salted fish lost his dream, and the opportunity to go to Russia to communicate with local Aikido fellows failed.
Fortunately, school started as scheduled in September. Although I was still living in the wild in Tibet at that time, I was able to participate in training again in October. New friends came to the dojo, and the average age of the members dropped a little.
I hope in 2021 the dojo will be more lively and everything will be smooth for you.
Fortunately, school started as scheduled in September. Although I was still living in the wild in Tibet at that time, I was able to participate in training again in October. New friends came to the dojo, and the average age of the members dropped a little.
I hope in 2021 the dojo will be more lively and everything will be smooth for you.
Yin Zihan
In junior high school, I was a die-hard fan of the cartoon <The Detective Conan>, from which I learnt Aikido for the first time. I was deeply attracted by Aikido, so I joined Aikido club without hesitation. In the club, not only did I learn a lot of techniques but I also met a number of wonderful people. I sincerely want to express my gratitude to our responsible and experienced teacher, Stefan, as well as kind and patient senior fellow apprentices. In the exam, I was so nervous that I thought I was bound to fail the exam. However, to my surprise, I passed it, which truly encouraged me to persist in training. To sum up, I gained a lot from the past three months and wish Aikido to be my life-long friend.
Zhao Ying
I joined the Aikido Club by coincidence when I was looking for a club. I didn't understand the spirit of Aikido in my initial training. However, I met good friends, enthusiastic senior brothers and sisters in the club, and the teacher's patient guidance. These are the reasons why I want to continue to learn Aikido in the future. I hope that after four years of undergraduate course, I can gain a lot in Aikido training, and I hope to meet occasionally and accompany for a long time.
Zhang Zhehao
A year as eventful as 2020 inevitably forced me to pay more attention to my physical well-being. Luckily, I was introduced to Aikido at year-end by a good friend who has been a passionate practitioner for quite some time. I made up my mind to become a member after the very first class because I found Aikido was exactly what I was looking for: some exercises to boost the body, no confrontation to hurt the body. Aikido is similar to what Yoga or Tai Chi looks like to me, a kind of kickboxing that combines strength with gentleness. I particularly like the atmosphere created by Stefan, our teacher, and members from all over the world. Stefan is serious and responsible when giving classes, but caring and humorous when the class is over. If you want to stretch your body and relax your mind after a busy day, I would strongly recommend Aikido. Your health will benefit and you will enjoy a great time!
Chen Pei
I began to practice Aikido because of the character Tooyama Katsuha in <Detective Conan>. When she uses Aikido, she looks very handsome and attractive. I want to be cool, too. Since there is an Aikido club in RUC, I joined it pleasantly. During the first practice, I found that professor Stefan was very nice and the other mates were patient. In the process of the exercise my mind gradually felt kind of peace. It is a glad coincidence that my favourite couple in comics is the so-called peace couple! And the only little regret is that I have programming courses every Wednesday night, thus I cannot attend the training (sadness).
Luo Manni
It's the first time I knew Aikido, which is anyway difficult for me, a student always failed in the P.E. exams at school. But it was just so interesting that I wanted to have a try. I was surprised by its clever way of using physical strength. Then I watched some videos about Aikido and came out that it's more interesting to practice it rather than just watch it. Everyone in the Beijing Shinryukan takes practice seriously, and patiently taught me, who could hardly follow up the progress, instead of being mad with me. That's what I really thanks for. We had good times together and it's a pity I cannot join the party on Yuandan. I hope I could be closer to all of you.来学期も、よろしくお願いします。