2024 Seminar with Claude Berthiaume Shihan, Beijing & Guiyang
by Stefan
On 7th & 8th September 2024, 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.
Seminar impressions
Seminar group photo
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.
At the seminar in Guiyang, organized by Aikido Kishu (15th & 16th September)
Here are impressions from three of our students after the seminars with Claude Berthiaume Shihan:
When I reflect on Sensei Claude at this seminar, the first thing that comes to mind is the humility and calmness he displayed from beginning to end.
Before the seminar, I learned that he had studied under Kanai Sensei for many years and had fully inherited Kanai Sensei's martial arts, including the well-known "Kanai Throws"—a wealth of "otoshi" and various hip-throw techniques. I was very eager to learn these Aikido techniques that I hadn't encountered before.
Sensei flew over ten hours on an international red-eye flight and, after just one day of rest, dove into a tightly scheduled seminar. He was very considerate, knowing we were curious about the "Kanai Throws." Through a series of movements, he patiently explained and demonstrated various related throwing and hip-throw techniques step by step: Kiri-otoshi, Maki-otoshi, Kata-hiki-otoshi, Tsurube-koshi , and others whose names I couldn't recall. (An interesting side note: it's said that many of these technique names were coined by Kanai Sensei himself; otherwise, these moves would all be called kokyu-nage and koshi-nage.)
Although Sensei is over 70 years old, his movements were powerful and agile, leaving a deep impression on us and enhancing our understanding of Aikido. More importantly, in him, I saw the vital values that a martial arts master should possess: respect, empathy, humility, generosity, and self-discipline. Blue Sensei from Atlanta, USA, who accompanied him, also embodied these admirable and precious qualities.
This inspired me to think: Why do we practice Aikido? Is it to effortlessly execute a beautiful maki-otoshi?
Like any martial art or art form that seeks the ultimate truth, Aikido is a specific path. Through diligent daily training and practicing techniques with different people, we truly cultivate ourselves. But techniques shouldn't be our sole focus; rather, it's about how to cultivate the character and qualities we aspire to. Like brewing a fine old wine, we slowly refine ourselves into the person we want to be, following the lifestyle we idealize. I believe this is the greatest value and significance that Aikido brings us.
This path is long and far-reaching, and we are fortunate to have these predecessors guiding us. In them, the essence, spirit, and vitality of all the masters who have devoted themselves to this martial art since the founding of Aikido are embodied. Like a warm and bright light, they guide us forward.
— Kuang Kuang
Before the seminar, I learned that he had studied under Kanai Sensei for many years and had fully inherited Kanai Sensei's martial arts, including the well-known "Kanai Throws"—a wealth of "otoshi" and various hip-throw techniques. I was very eager to learn these Aikido techniques that I hadn't encountered before.
Sensei flew over ten hours on an international red-eye flight and, after just one day of rest, dove into a tightly scheduled seminar. He was very considerate, knowing we were curious about the "Kanai Throws." Through a series of movements, he patiently explained and demonstrated various related throwing and hip-throw techniques step by step: Kiri-otoshi, Maki-otoshi, Kata-hiki-otoshi, Tsurube-koshi , and others whose names I couldn't recall. (An interesting side note: it's said that many of these technique names were coined by Kanai Sensei himself; otherwise, these moves would all be called kokyu-nage and koshi-nage.)
Although Sensei is over 70 years old, his movements were powerful and agile, leaving a deep impression on us and enhancing our understanding of Aikido. More importantly, in him, I saw the vital values that a martial arts master should possess: respect, empathy, humility, generosity, and self-discipline. Blue Sensei from Atlanta, USA, who accompanied him, also embodied these admirable and precious qualities.
This inspired me to think: Why do we practice Aikido? Is it to effortlessly execute a beautiful maki-otoshi?
Like any martial art or art form that seeks the ultimate truth, Aikido is a specific path. Through diligent daily training and practicing techniques with different people, we truly cultivate ourselves. But techniques shouldn't be our sole focus; rather, it's about how to cultivate the character and qualities we aspire to. Like brewing a fine old wine, we slowly refine ourselves into the person we want to be, following the lifestyle we idealize. I believe this is the greatest value and significance that Aikido brings us.
This path is long and far-reaching, and we are fortunate to have these predecessors guiding us. In them, the essence, spirit, and vitality of all the masters who have devoted themselves to this martial art since the founding of Aikido are embodied. Like a warm and bright light, they guide us forward.
— Kuang Kuang
The past two weeks have been simply incredible. I actually attended all the sessions of the seminars in both Beijing and Guiyang, which set a new record for my physical endurance. I'm so glad that after much hesitation, I decided at the last minute to go to Guiyang. This trip not only allowed me to visit a city I had never been to before but, more importantly, I was deeply moved by the spirit demonstrated by Sensei Claude.
At over seventy years old, Sensei took a more than ten-hour flight to come to a completely unfamiliar country to teach Aikido. He traveled between two cities, experienced various setbacks along the way, had to deal with jet lag, and faced physical pain. Yet, Sensei maintained a smile throughout. In every class, he explained the how and why of the details with great clarity. During each group meal, he shared amusing anecdotes about legendary figures in the Aikido world. As I write this, I feel a bit like crying.
True strength is the strength of the heart—it is allowing everything to happen, remaining calm in all environments, and focusing on what needs to be done in the moment. This seminar not only allowed me to appreciate Aikido techniques but also to understand Aikido itself.
— Joy Li
At over seventy years old, Sensei took a more than ten-hour flight to come to a completely unfamiliar country to teach Aikido. He traveled between two cities, experienced various setbacks along the way, had to deal with jet lag, and faced physical pain. Yet, Sensei maintained a smile throughout. In every class, he explained the how and why of the details with great clarity. During each group meal, he shared amusing anecdotes about legendary figures in the Aikido world. As I write this, I feel a bit like crying.
True strength is the strength of the heart—it is allowing everything to happen, remaining calm in all environments, and focusing on what needs to be done in the moment. This seminar not only allowed me to appreciate Aikido techniques but also to understand Aikido itself.
— Joy Li
In September, I attended a seminar led by Claude and Blue Sensei from North America. This was my second time participating in such an event; the previous one was earlier this year, taught by Takase Sensei. Perhaps because it was my first time practicing with so many unfamiliar fellow students and the instructors taught entirely in English, I felt a bit out of place. Even simple movements seemed hard to grasp, and I felt somewhat frustrated. So, when I signed up this time, I didn't expect to gain much.
However, this experience was completely different. One instructor was humorously subtle, the other had a loud and clear voice—both were quite easy to understand. Especially Blue Sensei, possibly due to his profession as a lawyer, his lectures felt like impassioned speeches in a courtroom. Both instructors proceeded step by step, focusing on a basic movement, continually refining the details, and gradually incorporating more elements. Only then did I realize that in the few years I've been learning Aikido somewhat hazily, there were many flaws. For example, in the final leg position of the ukemi during kokyu-ho, I was completely surrendering. Under the instructors' guidance—straightening the outer leg, bending the inner knee upward with the foot on the ground—the ukemi can protect themselves and be ready to counterattack at any time.
The instructors then taught two methods to disrupt the tori's balance and throw them. First, they demonstrated how the ukemi can inwardly draw the knee to push away the tori's body pressure, pulling the shoulder with one hand and pushing outward with the other to pin the tori down on the spot, then reversing to press down on the tori. While practicing, I messed up the direction of the throw and didn't grasp how to break the tori's balance from a lying position. The instructor, adapting to my mistake, demonstrated how to throw the tori over from above my body—the key point was still to first disrupt the tori's balance. I immediately realized that as long as you grasp the crucial points, movements can have various transformations and aren't confined to a single pattern.
When I first started, I thought Aikido could be used for self-defense. Later, I felt it wasn't practical—just two people cooperating to complete some routine movements for fitness. Through this learning experience, I've come to realize that Aikido isn't unchanging; it can vary endlessly based on adhering to objective principles. It combines practicality, fitness, and enjoyment, changing my previous misconceptions—I gained a lot.
— qingfengmingyue
However, this experience was completely different. One instructor was humorously subtle, the other had a loud and clear voice—both were quite easy to understand. Especially Blue Sensei, possibly due to his profession as a lawyer, his lectures felt like impassioned speeches in a courtroom. Both instructors proceeded step by step, focusing on a basic movement, continually refining the details, and gradually incorporating more elements. Only then did I realize that in the few years I've been learning Aikido somewhat hazily, there were many flaws. For example, in the final leg position of the ukemi during kokyu-ho, I was completely surrendering. Under the instructors' guidance—straightening the outer leg, bending the inner knee upward with the foot on the ground—the ukemi can protect themselves and be ready to counterattack at any time.
The instructors then taught two methods to disrupt the tori's balance and throw them. First, they demonstrated how the ukemi can inwardly draw the knee to push away the tori's body pressure, pulling the shoulder with one hand and pushing outward with the other to pin the tori down on the spot, then reversing to press down on the tori. While practicing, I messed up the direction of the throw and didn't grasp how to break the tori's balance from a lying position. The instructor, adapting to my mistake, demonstrated how to throw the tori over from above my body—the key point was still to first disrupt the tori's balance. I immediately realized that as long as you grasp the crucial points, movements can have various transformations and aren't confined to a single pattern.
When I first started, I thought Aikido could be used for self-defense. Later, I felt it wasn't practical—just two people cooperating to complete some routine movements for fitness. Through this learning experience, I've come to realize that Aikido isn't unchanging; it can vary endlessly based on adhering to objective principles. It combines practicality, fitness, and enjoyment, changing my previous misconceptions—I gained a lot.
— qingfengmingyue