Nairobi Aikikai Blog
Est. October 16th 2009, Nairobi Aikikai is the oldest Aikido school in Kenya
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
The Largest Seminar Yet: Nairobi Aikikai Club hosts Kobayashi Sensei 4-5th March 2023
Sunday, June 26, 2022
The week that was: Nairobi Aikikai First Seminar of 2022
Nairobi Aikikai visiting guests from Zanzibar Aikikai and Sensei Andi Schriber from Ikeda Dojo, Zurich. |
It's not everyday Aikidokas from three different countries gather on the tatami for a week of budo magic, but this is what happened between the 15th and 19th of June in Nairobi. We were once again pleased to host our Sensei, Andi Schriber (5th Dan Ikeda Dojo, Zurich) who as usual shared his wisdom, laughter and budo knowledge during an exhilarating seminar. What made this seminar even more exciting was the presence of 4 Aikidokas from Zanzibar who made the long cross border trip to share the tatami with us.
Promotional poster for the week long seminar June 2022 |
Primarily held at our current training space at YMCA central and partly in Rongai, the seminar was the most robust one that Nairobi Aikikai has has since the pandemic. It was full of vibrant energy, enthusiasm and rekindled the sense of community we pride ourselves in.
As always, it was not all budo and breakfalls but a little leisure too. On Saturday evening, the group indulged in a fun and engaging barbecue meet up where food and bad jokes were shared.
Barbecue fun after a day of budo. Rongai 18th June 2022 |
The last day of the seminar was particularly a treat because it combined tatami action with exams. On this day Nairobi Aikikai gained one new black belt as Walter Mukiri successfully passed his 1st Dan exam and a new 5th Kyu after Francis (aka Hazard) also passed his assessment under the guidance of Sensei Andi.
Proud moment as Walter Mukiri (1st Dan) receives his black belt. |
Nairobi Aikikai now not only boasts two home grown 1st Dans (Walter and club chairman Joshua) but also prides itself in growing a community of Aikidokas who are sharing and growing in the art.
As we continue to train and look forward to another seminar later in the year, we are equally grateful to Sensei Andi for always showing up and Zanzibar Aikidokas for bringing their energy and flow across the border to Nairobi.
Now, onto the next one.
Budo!
Sensei Andi Schriber 5th Dan with Nairobi and Zanzibar Aikikai team. 18th June at St. Mary's Catholic Church Rongai |
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Budo in Zanzibar: 5th International Aikido Seminar 14-16th February 2020, Zanzibar.
Publicity poster for the 5th International Aikido Seminar, Zanzibar 2020. |
Landed in Zanzibar (left to right) Sensei Hansruedi, Sensei Andi, Sensei Marianne, Sensei Klaus and Joshua Muthii. |
End of Day 1 (14th February) evening session, a Valentine's day to remember. |
Day 2, (15th February) morning session at Zanzibar Budokan. |
Imungu Kalevera (left) and Joshua Muthii (right) from Nairobi Aikikai with their Sensei, Andi Schriber (5th Dan) from Ikeda Dojo Zurich at the Zanzibar Budokan. |
Publicity poster for Nairobi Aikikai February seminar |
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Nairobi Aikikai End Year Karura Bike Challenge
Not new to adventure, the comrades of Nairobi Aikikai chose to close the year with yet another adventure challenge to Karura Forest on the 15th of december 2019. Karura Forest is an urban forest within Nairobi. The forest contains nearly all the 605 species of wildlife, wetlands as well as well as three types of antelope. It is managed by Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The team took to a bike challenge across the forest starting at Limuru rd gate.
Nairobi Aikikai Members off on the bike challenge |
Fun at the waterfall |
2020 hold even more promise for the club with Zanzibar international Aikido seminar set for Mid February 2020.
Happy Holidays to all. Read more of what we were up to this year here, here and HERE.
Budo!
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
MEAT & GREET FUN MOMENTS : NAIROBI AIKIKAI 2019 NOVEMBER MEET UP.
- Linda Holiday
When they are not slamming the tatami, Nairobi Aikikai members enjoy sharing food and laughter. Remembering that Aikido is the way of harmony, peace and love, we are committed to not only practicing on the mat with technique and passion but also extending the philosophy of Aikido beyond the walls of the dojo.
As 2019 comes to a close, members of Nairobi Aikikai came together to eat,eat some more laugh and reflect on key moments throughout the year. This MEAT & GREET was hosted by the lovely Louisa in Loresho and a good time was had (if my bulging stomach was anything to go by.)
The weather was kind and sunny Nairobi did not disappoint. The grill masters (Samori, Anthony and our co-host Justus) set up the grill and Kalevera supervised this project as shown below :D :D
Grill preparation underway |
Nyama Nyama Nyama, Nairobi Aikikai Meat&Greet |
The food spread; our hosts did a great job at making sure everyone was fed |
Food first, the crew digging in. Meat&Greet 9th Nov 2019. Nairobi Aikikai. |
Group photos at the end of the amazing day |
Click HERE and HERE to see more of what we have been up to this past year.
FEBRUARY 14th - 16th 2020, Zanzibar International Aikido Seminar. Budo!
Monday, November 4, 2019
BUDO MOMENTS: NAIROBI AIKIKAI END YEAR SEMINAR 2019 2nd-3rd NOVEMBER
-Morihei Ueshiba, O'Sensei.
Sensei Andi with members of Nairobi Aikikai and Judoka comrades in Rongai for the Nairobi Aikikai end year seminar 2nd Nov 2019 at St. Mary's Catholic Church Rongai. |
The Nairobi Aikikai family came together once again on the tatami for the final seminar of the year, rounding out a year of great Aikido practice. The seminar, running through 2nd (Saturday) -3rd (Sunday) November at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rongai and YMCA studio respectively brought together not only members of Nairobi Aikikai but members of the Judo community in Rongai who shared in our training and as always, our dedicated Sensei Andi was there to join and teach us.
The first day of the seminar (2nd November) kicked off to a powerful start with good spirits. The morning session, led by Nairobi Aikikai chair, Joshua took us back to basics, first a killer warm up and then exploring and revisiting the five principles arms of Aikido;
- Aikido Ikkyo – First Teaching (Elbow Control)
- Aikido Nikyo – Second Teaching (Wrist Control)
- Aikido Sankyo – Third Teaching (Wrist Control)
- Aikido Yonkyo – Fourth Teaching (Wrist Control & Pressure Point)
- Aikido Gokyo – Fifth Teaching (Elbow Control)
This first session provided an opportunity to the Judokas to familiarize themselves with the basics of Aikido and also for other Aikidokas to remember the foundations of our art.
Andi Sensei, Joshua and Rongai Judokas posing for a photo after training. 2nd November at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rongai. |
Sensei also took this time to draw parallels between basic Aikido techniques and the sword techniques from which they are derived. This marked the end of the first day and thereafter members of the club and Sensei had some social time to "apologize to our bodies"/"piga mwili pole."
Sensei Andi with members of Nairobi Aikikai and Judo comrades, including some who had successfully graded. 3rd November at YMCA. |
The afternoon session provided another opportunity for a few Aikidokas to be ushered into the next level of their training through a grading exercise. This exercise showed not only the dedication of those who had practised but the growth of the art within Nairobi Aikikai. Congratulations are in order for:
- David, Raphael and Leah (Attained 4th Kyu)
- Daddy and Victor (attained 5th Kyu)
Victor and Joshua during the grading exercise as Sensei prapares to instruct the next technique. Victor successfully graded. |
Nairobi Aikikai's MEAT and GREET this 9th November 2019. Be there or be squared! |
For those who missed it, here are some highlights from Zurich in September that you will definitely enjoy. Photos, blog post and movie.
We look forward to making even more great memories on the mat in 2020 starting with the annual international seminar in Zanzibar 14th-16th February 2020. Plan to attend. Budo!
Sensei Andi, Nairobi Aikikai and Judokas from Rongai pose for a photo on the last day of the end year seminar (3rd Nov) at YMCA Nairobi. |
Friday, September 20, 2019
Nairobi Aikikai in Switzerland: ACSA Golden Jubilee Seminar September 2019
At Aikido Zurich dojo 12th Sep 2019 |
Andi Sensei and team made sure to organize the week of a lifetime that involved lots of learning, training and fun. First off was a trip to the mountains that saw some brave Aikidokas swim in the freezing cold lake waters and survive (not me).
Mountain excursion Wed 11th Sep |
At Ikeda Dojo 11th Sep 2019 |
The seminar was extreme Aikido boot camp with up to seven sessions on Saturday ranging from weapon work, basic movement sessions and hours dedicated to mastering technique.
Nairobi Aikikai's Josh with Mitsuteru Ueshiba Hombu Dojo-Cho and Marianne Sensei at St. Gallen. |
Sight seeing in Zurich 12th Sep Nairobi and Zanzibar Team |
An offical film of the seminar and Embukai will be available soon but till then , we carry on and will share lessons from St. Gallen and now look forward to Zanzibar seminar in February 2020. Budo!
Aikido Zurich Dojo with Nairobi and Zanzibar team 12th Sep 2019 |