The Largest Seminar Yet: Nairobi Aikikai Club hosts Kobayashi Sensei 4-5th March 2023

From 4-5th March 2023, the French school in Nairobi was a buzz of activity with over two dozen Aikidokas from eight countries attending a seminar hosted by Nairobi Aikikai Club. Members of the club had the pleasure of hosting Hiroaki Kobayashi sensei (7th Dan) and visiting Aikidokas for two days of ukemi, shihonage and even (fortunately or unfortunately) some yonkyo. The seminar came after an equally exciting few days at the 10th Zanzibar International Aikido seminar (24-26th February 2023) where Nairobi Aikikai was once again well represented. The seminar in Zanzibar also served as an opportunity for members of Nairobi Aikikai to take their grading exams and we are pleased to wemcome Frank (Hazard) into 4th Kyu and our Chairman Joshua Muthii into 2nd Dan, a first for Nairobi Aikikai.

Building on this momentum, the members of the club converged at the French School, Nairobi in early March to practise with Mikio Kobayashi, Toshi Kaneko, Manabu Masuda, Hiroko Konno and Yuko Sato (Japan) Ramzi Bouslimi and Aziz Boukhema (Tunisia) Jean Maurice Ouattara and Innocent Vehi (Cote D'Ivoire) and from South Africa representing the International Aikido Federation, Corrie Human. The seminar was also graced by Andi Schriber, the club's sensei and pillar of support who was unsurprisngly still energectic despite the many ukemi he gave and took in Zanzibar as well as visitors from dojos outside Nairobi. A first of its kind for Nairobi Aikikai, this seminar was a double celebration. For one, the club members commemorated this inaugural global gathering of Aikidokas in Nairobi and secondly, it served as an opportunity to celebrate the Nairobi Akikai Club's recognition as an associate member of the International Aikido Federation (IAF) as of November 2022. Club members were honoured to have in attendance Corrie Human Sensei, Assistant General Secretary of the International Aikido Federation (IAF) representing the federation to join in practice, be witness to the seminar and welcome Nairobi Aikikai into the global Aikido family. Away from the mat, there was play and merry making on Saturday night (4th March) at the Carnivore restaurant Nairobi where members of Nairobi Aikikai and their guests indulged in the restaurant's famous all you can eat buffet and got to trade stories and bond. Fashioned as the Kenyan version of the Brazilian Rodizio, the meat buffet at the Carnivore does not stop coming till the last person standing... or should we say chewin, puts the flag down. One by one even the most sizeable people at the table gave up and the final aikidoka to surrender was the most unlikely option yet, Kalevera who though small, proved to be quite mighty where it counted.

The night culminated in thoughtful speeches from visiting friends and the hosting crew who emphasized the need for even more collaboration and seminars to come. In true Kenyan hospitality fashion, visiting aikidokas were sent home with gifts from Nairobi Aikikai from jo' bags to jo' sleeves.

Fighting through heavy laden bellies, the crew returned to the French School for the final day of the seminar.What followed was a morning session of energetic practice and sharing of knowledge before officially closing the seminar. The gift of community through the practice of Aikido was evident in the laughs, conversations and photos that were taken after. It is our sincere hope that this scale of seminar is just one of many to come. In closing, the club recognizes the efforts of the Nairobi Aikikai Club secretariat, Tim Turner and Romain Neyrand in making sure the seminar, venue and associated activities were well organised and look forward to the next one. Budo! Article written by Imungu Kalevera

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.

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.