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!