morihiro saito sensei-kumijo,courtesy of nairobi aikikai

 

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

Budo in Zanzibar: 5th International Aikido Seminar 14-16th February 2020, Zanzibar.

“A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing.” Morihei Ueshiba

2020 is already off to a roaring start for Nairobi Aikikai and budo arts in East Africa with the commencement of the 5th International Aikido Seminar in Zanzibar 14th-16th February.

The warm tropical climate, hospitable people, good food and rigorous training made for a perfect weekend. This seminar brought together several practitioners of the art from Nairobi(Kenya) , Switzerland and Germany as well as Zanzibar and Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania.Those present were of all ages and varied backgrounds in other martial arts as well.

We couldn't have been luckier to have senseis Hansruedi Nef (6th Dan) Andreas Schriber (5th Dan), Marianne Ostermayer (5th dan) and Klaus Lehan (4th dan) in attendance sharing their practice and decades of wisdom with us.

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.

Nairobi Aikikai was represented by two enthusiastic members: Joshua Muthii who is also the chairperson of our club and Imungu Kalevera who packs a big punch in a small frame. The three day seminar started on Friday the 14th with a sweaty Valentine's session led by Sensei Andi at the International School of Zanzibar and this served as a pre-cursor of things to come. 

End of Day 1 (14th February) evening session, a Valentine's day to remember.

Ramping up the momentum was the second day of the seminar on the 15th of February that saw Senseis Marianne, Hansruedi and Klaus all lead sessions that focused on diverse aspects of Aikido.

Sensei Marianne's technical prowess, Sensei Hansruedi's smooth and precise execution of technique as well as Sensei Klaus love for the pleasure (read as pain) of nikkyo and sankyo and the various ways to blend and combine these techniques with others made for a taxing but fulfilling second day. The different teaching techniques provided an all rounded approach to the art.

Of particular excitement was the introduction of beautiful combinations of techniques that showcase the true dance-like movement of Aikido. It was a joy to watch as the senseis demonstrated and we tried our best to execute the same, albeit not as gracefully. But with practice, maybe some day.

Day 2, (15th February) morning session at Zanzibar Budokan.

The final day of the seminar was a bitter sweet one with two sessions that explored further aspects of Aikido but also drew deeper into understanding basic movements and terminologies. The third and final day, (Sunday, 16th February) begun with a basic taisabaki session led by Sensei Andi, laying emphasis on the importance of mastering basic movements but also remaining stable through movement. Staying low, connecting to the centre, keeping the whole body alive and moving through the hip are the fundamental principles of Aikido movement that he emphasized through the various exercises. This session was followed by a session by Sensei Hansruedi that incorporated his signature smooth but effecftive style into staple movements such as the Iriminage, emphasizing the need for tori to conserve energy and use uke's energy to execute technique. The final session of the morning was handled by Sensei Marianne who delved into the technical aspects of several Aikido staple movements and having an awareness of the body of Uke and Tori.

The final session of the day took place at the International School and began with basic taisabaki, kokkyunage sessions and later, program specific movements where each sensei took groups of students through the 4th, 3rd, 5th and 6th Kyu programs. This was followed by a grading session and happily, all candidates passed into 5th and 6th kyu.

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.

The seminar was another opportunity to show that despite different languages, ages and backgrounds, Aikido is able to connect people from all facets of life. Young and old, African and European, short and tall were all practicing with respect on the mat.

Nairobi Aikikai is grateful to our Zanzibar team for the invitation and hospitality as well as the teachers who travelled to train with us and look forward to the next seminar.

The next two months will be jam-packed full of interesting activities for Nairobi Aikikai including a local seminar in Nairobi 22nd-23rd February that includes a Jo session. this promises to be worthwhile as well as Sensei Toshi's welcome seminar in April.

Publicity poster for Nairobi Aikikai February seminar

If you would like to re-cap events from last year's Zanzibar seminar please click here and also see what else we have been up to here, here and here.

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

 The bike trail is leisurely and the team had chances to stop and enjoy the scenery. Calories were burned and fun was had ahead of Christmas festivities.

Fun at the waterfall

 Decked out in nairobi Aikikai tshirts the brave warriors did not relent and made it to the end, closing the year for Nairobi Aikikai with a bang.

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!

MEAT & GREET FUN MOMENTS : NAIROBI AIKIKAI 2019 NOVEMBER MEET UP.

"In Aikido training, we learn from everyone. We learn from the most experienced people, but we also learn from new students. Everyone is connected through the heart and develops a mutual understanding. It is important to create a place where that can happen. "

- 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

Soon after other comrades started trickling in and the party got started. The food spread was amazing and Louisa worked very hard to make sure there was more than enough to keep tummies full and her Ugali was up to Kenyan standards.

Nyama Nyama Nyama, Nairobi Aikikai Meat&Greet

 

The food spread; our hosts did a great job at making sure everyone was fed

The evening was filled with food,music and stories of how far we have come including great debates about life, the world, Aikido and what lies ahead. Thankfully, Josh and other Aikimaniacs ate too much to subject us to a bokken and breakfall session (phewks!)

Food first, the crew digging in. Meat&Greet 9th Nov 2019. Nairobi Aikikai.

In no time, evening fell in and after a cup of tea, we reluctantly had to leave and part ways till the next time. We missed some faces but there's always a next time. if you missed it though, you missed a lot. Looking forward there are a lot of great things in store for Nairobi Aikikai and coming together to celebrate and strategize was just what we needed. 

Group photos at the end of the amazing day

The year is not quite over yet and there are several training sessions ahead with the hope of seeing even more friendly faces on the tatami in the weeks ahead.

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!