2024 : A retrospection
by Stefan
2024 was an eventful year for our dojo. In April, we organized the annual Aikido Shinryukan Seminar with our Chief Instructor, Nobuo Takase Shihan (see previous post). After a five-year long interruption due to the Corona virus pandemic, it was Takase Shihan´s first visit since 2019, so it was a very special event for us.
Beijing Shinruykan Seminar with Nobuo Takase Shihan (13th & 14th April 2024)
In September, we invited Claude Berthiaume Shihan from “Aikido de la Montagne” to give his first seminar in China. Even though we had very few participants from other dojos, it was a fantastic seminar and an inspiring experience. Together with Claude Shihan, we were fortunate to welcome Blue Spruell Shihan from Peachtree Aikido Atlanta who also taught two classes at the seminar. All of us enjoyed the two days of training and gained many valuable insights. A number of techniques, like Uki-otoshi, Maki-otoshi, or Kata-hiki-otoshi, were especially fun to practice.
Beijing Seminar with Claude Berthiaume Shihan (7th & 8th September)
The following week, Claude Shihan travelled to Guiyang where he gave another weekend seminar, organized by Aikido Kishu Dojo. Some of our students went to Guiyang and attended the seminar, as well.
Many thanks to Claude Berthiaume Shihan and Blue Spruell Shihan for making the long journey to China and giving us so many valuable insights into the art of Aikido!
My thanks go also to Yang Yexin Sensei from Aikido Kishu. It is because of him that I got to know Claude Sensei in the first place, and without his help it would have been impossible to invite him to China. Many thanks also to Yang Sensei and his students for organizing such a successful seminar in Guiyang.
It was also very nice to meet Zhu Bohai Sensei and his students from Shanghai Qiufengguan Dojo at the Guiyang seminar. We all practised together in a very relaxed and joyful atmosphere which made the seminar an unforgettable experience.
Many thanks to Claude Berthiaume Shihan and Blue Spruell Shihan for making the long journey to China and giving us so many valuable insights into the art of Aikido!
My thanks go also to Yang Yexin Sensei from Aikido Kishu. It is because of him that I got to know Claude Sensei in the first place, and without his help it would have been impossible to invite him to China. Many thanks also to Yang Sensei and his students for organizing such a successful seminar in Guiyang.
It was also very nice to meet Zhu Bohai Sensei and his students from Shanghai Qiufengguan Dojo at the Guiyang seminar. We all practised together in a very relaxed and joyful atmosphere which made the seminar an unforgettable experience.
Guiyang Seminar with Claude Berthiaume Shihan,
organized by Aikido Kishu (15th & 16th September)
organized by Aikido Kishu (15th & 16th September)
Besides these two seminars, we had plenty of opportunities to connect with Aikido practitioners from other dojos: We visited other seminars and welcomed old and new Aikido friends to our dojo:
Aikido Shoheijuku Seminar, Beijing (May 2024)
Seminar with Bruno Gonzalez, Beijing (June 2024)
Visiting Aikido Shudojuku Dojo, Beijing (June 2024)
Training weekend & open trial class with Papu Sensei at 27 Yard (November 2024)
Seminar with William Gillespie Sensei, Beijing Aikikai (December 2024)
With Deng Zhifeng Sensei from Shanghai Aikido Xinwuguan (December 2024)
More wonderful memories of 2024
2025 is promising to be even more eventful than 2024, and I am looking forward to it with some anticipation. I wish all my students good health, happiness, and of course good progress on the path of Aikido. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and your support!
Best wishes for 2025!