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.

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

Snapshots from Zanzibar- 3rd International Aikido Seminar

Snapshots from Zanzibar

The art of peace spread its reach to Zanzibar for the third year running during the 3^rd international Aikido seminar that saw young and older practitioners of the art come together for three days of sharing, training and even a bit of fun outside the dojo.

Respected 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Dan Senseis from all over the world shared their wonderful tips and training with the group.

The seminar, which took place from 8^th-10^th February at the International School of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Budokan consisted of two intense but valuable sessions daily where wrists were flung and lessons learned. The team had a mixture of the young, and the young at heart. Several nationalities were represented and this is a true testament to the power of community within shared practice.

Our hosts were ever so gracious and though the practice of Aikido in Zanzibar is young, the team also had formidable experience in Karate and Judo; this of course created a chance to learn and borrow from one another. February 8th started with a Karate and Aikido demonstration at the International school of Zanzibar (ISZ) that peaked the interest of several soon to be Aikidokas. This, tied in with an anti-bullying message spoke to the true heart of Aikido to transform aggression and peacefully resolve conflict.

Of particular importance was the presence of the Ministry of youth, culture, arts and sports of the revolutionary government of Zanzibar at the seminar on the 9^th of February. This was a clear show of the island government’s support of the growing art which extended to a press mention as well in the local dailies.

Nairobi Aikikai was proud to have a team of 5 to represent the club. Joshua, Leah, Wangari and Kalevera along with Nairobi Aikikai’s Canadian friend, aspen. It was a pleasure to have such a sizeable representation but definitely looking forward to an even bigger team for the 2020 seminar.

Sharing sessions such as this seminar always provide an opportunity for students and teachers to experience different teaching techniques, execution and a chance to refine the details of the practice. Every teacher brought their own experience and relationship with Aikido to the mat and we were all honoured to be a part of that. From the buzzing energy of Sensei Andy and his killer warmups, the precision of Sensei Marianne, the ease of Sensei Hansruedi’s Iriminage, the pleasurable pain of Sensei Klaus’ lesson on Sankyo (my wrist still feels that) and the skill of Sensei Andi’s every move, it was a seminar to remember. With over 30 people attending the seminar on different days, we can only prepare for bigger and better in subsequent years.

The final day of the seminar included grading exams for several students, all who passed and Nairobi Aikikai was pleased to usher two of her members into their new Kyu;

Joshua Muthii (Chairperson-Nairobi Aikikai) – 2^nd Kyu

Imungu Kalevera – 5^th kyu

Aside from hard training in coastal temperatures, the seminar also had light moments of sharing outside the dojo. We were honored by the hospitality of our hosts which included a dinner at the CCM social hall hosted by the Chairman of the Zanzibar judo association, Mr Tsuyoshi Shimaoka which filled our bellies and our hearts. The night of the 10^th also saw the visiting Senseis and Nairobi Aikikai members have a beautiful dinner at The Rock in Pingwe, Zanzibar to crown the 3 days experience. It goes without saying that there were a few beach visits as well and the ocean water healed our aching muscles.

But this is not the end, September brings another opportunity for training and sharing in Zurich during the golden jubilee of Swiss Aikikai, another one not to miss, so get your passports and tickets ready.

Nairobi Aikikai as a whole is thankful to our hosts in Zanzibar, team led by Vadim of the ISZ, the Ministry, Mr. Shimaoka, Senseis Hansruedi, Andi, Marianne, Andy Raudies, Klaus, Andreas Weber as well as Sabine Walker and aspen apGaia. We look forward to an even more thrilling 4^th international seminar in 2020 and the promise to bring better practice and more people to the mat.

Budo!