SHIN SHIN TOITSU AIKIDO - Ki Aikido

Aikido Anniversary

For the Ticino Ki Aikido Association in Balerna, the annual event for the international Aikido seminar was a special joy. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the association's activities. Over time, the association has developed remarkably thanks to the collaboration of all those who have taken turns on our tatami mats: from Andrea and Yvette, who began training on Swiss soil, to Shihan Bruno Maule, who contributed his extensive knowledge, to all the active members who keep the association alive, the numerous children and their families who entrust them to us, the municipality of Balerna, which has provided the association with significant logistical and financial support, to Bernhard Boll, who manages the website and regularly teaches at the dojo, and the Doshu, who has always supported us in Balerna and has also been present in Bosco Gurin for several years.

Friday

The seminar began on Friday evening, October 15, under the excellent leadership of Shihan Maurizio Volpe, with a large group of participants gathered in the gymnasium to train with the Balerna aikidoka. Kyu and Dan levels devoted themselves with great attention to the study of the 2nd Tsuzukiwaza (Ushiro Katatedori), which Shihan Volpe presented and explained with great precision after the Kenkotaiso, the Seitai Ho, and the Aikitaiso.
After the training, everyone gathered on the gymnasium stage to enjoy a sumptuous buffet prepared by Laura and Karin, featuring cheese from the Gotthard Alps, local cured meats, rice, and homemade cakes. The moment was marked by joyful conviviality in anticipation of the arrival of the doshu from Italy. Accompanied by Donato Campagna, he had also taught that day in other dojos in our neighboring country.

Art of Living

On the weekend of October 16-17, Doshu Yoshigasaki, with his unwavering serenity and harmony, led the international seminar, which brought together approximately eighty participants of all levels and abilities on our tatami. Summarizing in a few lines what the Doshu proposed during the two days of his very welcome presence in Balerna is truly a difficult task. I will focus only on a few philosophical concepts that struck me most, leaving aside the technical aspects.
Doshu never tires of repeating that Aikido has become an art of peace and harmony in our time and should be studied and experienced as such. The Doshu further explained the concept, explaining that Aikido is an art of living, or the art of living. It allows us to create new realities in daily life, faced with various types of dangerous situations, which can be mental, psychological, or physical, through the development of harmonious techniques.
During the two days he spent on the tatami in Balerna, he often emphasized that no one wants to fight and that Aikido cannot therefore be considered a method of combat, a system of self-defense, or even a sporting and/or competitive activity. Rather, it is a means designed to facilitate the development of good relationships with oneself and others through the study and application of techniques. It is a means of maintaining physical health and achieving maximum coordination and mental calm. These all seem like simple things, but in reality, everyone has their own weaknesses that must be discovered, accepted, and overcome. This is always a little difficult, as it requires introspection, research, and the ability to be self-critical.
We share Doshu's ideas that Aikido is an art that should be fully appreciated in everyday life. Life, as we know, is not free from dangers of various kinds, and not just those we can imagine from a hypothetical attacker. Dangers, in other words, that are definitely part of our existence and the world, and therefore a given, not always completely controllable and/or avoidable.
In the dojo and in daily life, our imagination determines the quality of what we are and what we do. Therefore, it is up to each of us to imagine how we can do our best on a path of peace and harmony, for personal growth and the best possible relationship with ourselves and others.
Because so many practitioners had gathered on the mat, we took a photo before the lunch break as a memento of this beautiful and meaningful seminar.

Saturday

We were welcomed for lunch at the Grotto del Mulino in the Breggia Gorge Park, which we reached on foot "romantically under an umbrella." We strolled along the river, enjoyed nature with the first autumn colors of the vegetation, and had a lively conversation.
As always, the welcome from our friends at the Grotto was warm and the atmosphere very convivial.
The artistic activity continued in the afternoon with Aikido lessons for everyone.
In the evening, we were welcomed at the Osteria del Furmighin in Sagno for a pleasant aperitif before enjoying the excellent dinner prepared by Anna. The evening was characterized by a joyful gathering, which is always good for the heart and for friendship.

Sunday

Sunday morning passed in a harmonious and serene atmosphere, beginning with an interesting lesson for the teachers and Dan, followed by the lesson for everyone.
This marked the end of another intense and very interesting seminar, which brought together many friends from near and far in Balerna, whom we welcomed with sympathy and affection. With a sense of gratitude, I would especially like to highlight the presence of the friends of the Dojo Valdarno, the friends of the Dojo Bassano del Grappa, and the friends of Genoa. They traveled a long way to reach us and left very early in the morning. This should not be forgotten.

Conclusion

As always, a small group sat together for lunch at the Grotto del Mulino on Sunday and shared a final convivial moment before saying goodbye to Doshu Yoshigasaki and Shihan Maurizio Volpe, to whom we extend our sincere thanks for the excellent leadership of the seminar.
We sincerely thank all participants and look forward to the next meeting.

to the municipality and school administration of Balerna for providing the premises
to Harriet Erkelens for the beautiful and very original floral decorations donated to the association
to Laura and Karin for preparing the Friday evening buffet
to Bernhard Boll for the IT, technical, and administrative cooperation
to the Ticino Ki Aikido Balerna Association, to its president Govert Erkelens, for the tireless and valuable support at every opportunity, and to everyone who helped prepare the dojo and lay the tatami
to Anna from the Osteria del Furmighin and the staff of the Grotto del Mulino for the excellent meals and friendly welcome.

Reports

Balerna - October 2010