Seminar with Bernhard Boll
The Ticino club Ki Aikido Balerna concluded 2008 on December 27 and 28 with a challenging and interesting Aikido seminar in the community's usual gymnasium, superbly led by Bernhard Boll in Italian – and also in German, for the benefit of the numerous guests from Vorarlberg who graced us with their presence.
The sporting activity began on Saturday evening with a rich program suitable for both Kyu and more experienced aikidoka, with explanations and executions of Shomenuchi attacks in the four basic forms of Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, and Yonkyo – Irimi and Tenkan.
In the second part of the evening, Bernhard presented a short and interesting interlude of Japanese calligraphy, using the word AIKIDO to explain the concept of kanji and the well defined way of writing them.
This was followed by the study of the 4th Tsuzukiwaza (Ryokatadori). The participants did not hold back and worked diligently with joy and good motivation.
The evening ended with a joyful dinner at Pizzeria Meridiana: No one knows — and we may never know, because it's not a question of "thirst" — why the guests emptied so many bottles of fine, locally produced wine in a crescendo of joy.
Perhaps out of joy about the cheerful gathering in this hospitable Ticino!
On Sunday morning, some people had a "strange expression... a bit dazed," but after breakfast and a good cup of coffee, a kind of metamorphosis took place, so that everyone on the tatami was fit again and ready to face the demanding program.
To our joy and honor, we welcomed Master Maurizio Volpe from the Olcella Dojo on the tatami in Balerna, along with his students Giuseppe and Luca.
Their presence — like that of everyone who came to Balerna — was a sign of great appreciation for our club and a sign of their beautiful and shared friendship.
The class continued with breathing exercises and basic exercises with the bokken, performed in pairs, which required a lot of attention and coordination.
Then, the more experienced aikidoka tried the techniques of the 7th Tsuzukiwaza (Tsuki & Keri), while the Kyu worked on the techniques of Katadori Ikkyo and Katadori Sankyo (executed in Irimi and Tenkan).
For everyone: Performance of Yokomenuchi Zemponage, Tsuki Zemponage, Tsuki Kaeshi, and Tsuki Kirikaeshi of the 24th Tsuzukiwaza (Jodori). Bernhard asked Andrea and Sven to perform the Tsuzukiwaza in full and made the necessary adjustments to ensure coordination, precision of technique, and rhythm.
The seminar concluded with the certainty of having gained new insights and the clear satisfaction of having performed a good activity on the tatami.
The day ended at the Grotto Ilaria in Morbio Inferiore, where we were welcomed to a simple lunch (local "tagliata", risotto, polenta with mushrooms, and beef stew) and enjoyed a moment of cheerful conviviality before we all went home.
A heartfelt thank you to Bernhard for his willingness and kindness to teach us everything he knows about Aikido, and a heartfelt thank you to all the friends who brought their smiles to Balerna.
We wish everyone a Happy New Year 2009, full of wonderful shared moments and plenty of serenity!
With a warm hug, Yvette.
