Dojo Libuš
The seminar was held in the Branik district of Prague in the renovated old elementary school. The Klub Junior dojo in Libuš was made unavailable at short notice by the local council. Fortunately, one dojo member, a Montessori teacher, managed to secure the use the school’s gymnastic hall. Furthermore, tatami could be borrowed and a trailer found.
With these considerable organisational and logistic issues resolved, Saida sensei, accompanied by his student and translator for the seminar, Roberto – travelling by airplane from Bergamo – began the seminar punctually on Friday evening. A small group of participants made for an intimate atmosphere; half from the Prague dojo, half from further afield: Nuremberg, Vienna and Slovenia.
A profound teaching of breathing was offered in the first training. Sensei’s gentle nature and deep understanding was evident; yawn! An interesting ki test – coordinating the lateral lines and perception of the body through the arms – also contributed to a discovery of unity and harmony on the first evening.
Aikitaiso; Kotodama – Earth, fire, air and water; one may try with a partner (ryotedori, sitting or standing). Move minimum, move maximum; vibrate and unify; Jo nage; including a set of unique features and forms; Ushiro ryokatadori; Handachi ryotedori, comprised the substantial part of the technical programme of the weekend.
Held during fine early summer weather, long walks could be enjoyed around Branik and the Vltava river on Saturday afternoon; and, in the evening, around a peaceful Vyšehrad (high castle) – the historical origin of settlement at Prague – boasting a panorama vista of the city, beautiful gardens and trees, and spaces for repose. The circumventing path astride the steep fortification left an impression; mortal danger; it cuts here and now, near and far, past and future, self and beyond. Here, on this quiet evening, inspired by a quiet teaching; a penetrating whisper of truth, the universal appears. A shrine, temple; a gate to elsewhere, for all who step gently and tread carefully.
In the film Perfect Days (dir. Wim Wenders, 2023), the protagonist, dutiful and spirited, is a cleaner of modern public toilets in Tokyo. He takes his lunch break in temple grounds. Bowing at its entrance, he finds a bench, unwraps his lunch, and gazes up at the dancing tree foliage, a play of light and shadow, cast and cascading; shades of air, earth and stone, and an ambition to capture the moment on film. A tiny sapling seeks root; the silent approval of a monk; salvation and nurture under the cleaner’s care (he also plays a secret game of tic-tac-toe with an unknown frequenter of one of the toilets).
Exhale. Move together: Uke moves from within, himself; this is where leading and change can be discovered, absent of force and opposition.
The seminar ended with the participants perceiving each person in a circle. Is it you, kokoro (心)?
As per tradition, a tatami picnic followed, a splendid fare of homemade food and local strawberries arranged by the dojo, before some started their departure and homeward journeys.
Gratitude is surely extended to Sensei Dominico, his Translator, Roberto, and; of course, Michal and his group for another special occasion to practice.
Many of the participants intend to meet again at the annual Seminar in Nuremberg with Bernhard Boll, 28-30 June.
