Seminar with Yoshigasaki Sensei
Over 100 aikidoka attended the official opening of Maestro Bruno Maule’s new dojo in Novara. The ‘Centro Sportivo A.M.O.S.‘ (Arti Martiali Orientali e Sport) , Via Cavalcavia San Martino 3, welcomed friends from Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, England , France and perhaps other countries , for a very pleasurable and studious weekend.
The inauguration of the dojo was bound to an intensive training programme under the direction of Yoshigasaki Sensei.
The Doshu of the Ki No Kenkyukai Association Internationale initiated a special ceremony which was followed by everyone with great interest. A television team was present to do justice to the occasion. Also numerous photos were taken like those shown here.
Friday evening continued with two hours of aikido training for all participants, and was followed by a buffet served on the premises. The members of the dojo organised everything with enthusiasm and competence; the food, taking into consideration the large number of people there, was excellent. More than half the price of the meal was destined to aid children in Brazil.
The evening may have been too short for some of us but it was followed by a memorable day, unforgettable in fact. Weather worthy of the month of May was no stranger to the surroundings. Even if it had snowed everyone would have been in high spirits with such a harmony. Everything about the dojo was in perfect order ; the light , the clarity , the mats , the reception , and outside the small park with trees and flowers , and of course the smile of those who opened the door for you.
From 9.00 to 10.00 the dojo was warmed by the perspiration and ki of the instructors who were taking part in a training programme for Yondan (4th dan). From 10.00 to 12.00, well over a hundred participants occupied all the available space, this happened without a single injury.
At midday everyone present enjoyed a meal organized by the dojo team in the same efficient manner of the previous evening. Our friends from Tuscany supplied a 54 litre demijohn of good red wine
Some took a well earned siesta before preparing for the start at 15.20 of a childrens’ training session. Here also numerous photos were taken which showed the high level of commitment of the instructors. What a wonderful sight to see children of six years old throw through the air a strapping young man of 90 kg.
At 16.00 everyone returned to their place on the tatami until around 18.00 hours. Afterwards a special ceremony had been planned but the Doshu decided not to go ahead as misogi is not appropriate with so many people. The disappointment was real but was of short duration as the build up in ki was used in what followed.
At 20.00 the majority of the practitioners, some with family members, met in a restaurant a short distance from Novara, to celebrate the reunion in a way that only the Italians know how. A delicious meal was served in an indescribable ambiance to which everyone contributed.
Nearly three hours of singing had an effect on the voices of some of us, but what an evening! It was a crowning moment worthy of a superb dojo calm and open to all.
Sunday morning from 9.00 to10.30 am training started with a session for instructors which again included preparation for Yondan. This was followed by intensive training for all participants until 12.00.
At the end of the seminar Bruno Maule gave a fine speech which was translated into French and German by one of the instructors. Bruno emphasized the importance of the effort made by everyone in causing the venture to turn out well. The Fondo di Solidarieta Aikido is a magnificent success thanks to many people some of whom do not practice aikido. It is the enthusiasm of the Doshu, Bruno and others which leads everyone forward.
Finally, around 13.00., with a twinge of regret, everyone set off for home, looking forward to the next occasion that they would be in such a pleasant and warm environment.
Yves Opizzo Balingen (D), translated from French David Carter (London)
