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

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!

BUDO MOMENTS: NAIROBI AIKIKAI END YEAR SEMINAR 2019 2nd-3rd NOVEMBER

"Fill yourself with Ki, invite the attack."

-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.

The late morning session into afternoon was marked by Andi Sensei's punishing Sankyo's that spared very few. Sensei focused on the importance of maintaining contact in our practice and the power of Aikido to be practiced by the small, big, strong and not so strong through proper technique, built upon constant practice.
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.

Sunday, 3rd November marked the last day of the epic weekend seminar and the energy reserves were still high as Sensei Andi brought even more Budo teachings to the mat. The seesion, conducted at YMCA studio was the stuff of maniacs and if the stories of those who attended are anything to go by, every muscle in the body was awakened. 

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.

 The day came to an end with a group photo and Sensei's parting remarks and a snack session later courtesy of Louisa. Nairobi Aikikai celebrates all its members, the great contribution and leadership of Sensei Andi and looks forward to ushering in our first black belt when chairperson Joshua takes his exam late next year. Looking forward the challenge to continue growing our art remains and despite the few challenges encountered this year, our Budo spirit remains unbroken.

Nairobi Aikikai's MEAT and GREET this 9th November 2019. Be there or be squared!

Just before the year ends though, with a few more training sessions to go, the Nairobi Aikikai family will come together one last time for a MEAT&GREET this November 9th hosted by the wonderful Louisa. This will be a great chance to hang out without the fear of breakfalls and Nikkyo and Josh promises there will be NO BURPEES! Let's all come through for this last hoorah, 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.

Nairobi Aikikai in Switzerland: ACSA Golden Jubilee Seminar September 2019

At Aikido Zurich dojo 12th Sep 2019

After months of planning, training and dreaming, Nairobi Aikikai Club made it to Zurich, Switzerland in preparation for the 50th Anniversary ACSA seminar at St. Gallen. The club was represented by the four musketeers; Josh, Samori, Wangari and Kalevera and also from Africa was a five person strong team from Zanzibar.

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

The same evening allowed us to go train at our home Ikeda Dojo and meet Ikeda Sensei himself. It was a powerful start to a week of training and the next day was even more training at Aikido Zurich a beautiful Dojo with wonderful and warm team after a bit of sight seeing of course.

At Ikeda Dojo 11th Sep 2019

And just like that, the seminar weekend was here and it was off to St. Gallen with sessions taught by the best and biggest names in Aikido. Christian Tissier Sensei, Katsuaki Asai Sensei, Mikiko Sugawara Sensei and descendant of O'Sensei Mitsuteru Ueshiba Hombu Dojo- Cho pictured here below with Josh who clearly had his modelling game on point and took pictures with all the greats.

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.

For the Embukai, Kenya and Zanzibar were not left behind as all Nairobi Aikikai members showcased their skill on the tatami in front of the plenary and made sure not to embarrass Andi Sensei ( I hope we didn't?) Exact program for the seminar can be found here. Later on Saturday we had a get together party and there exists a video of Joshua dancing at that party which can be coerced from me personally.

Sight seeing in Zurich 12th Sep Nairobi and Zanzibar Team

All in all the week was undoubtedly a once in a lifetime experience where all in attendance explored different training techniques, diverse lessons from teachers who all emphasized unique aspects of the art of peace. Nairobi Aikikai is deeply grateful to Andi Sensei and all the members of Ikeda Dojo who gave their time and some even gave their homes and resources to make our time there comfortable. It was a true testament to the virtues of Bushido.
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