21.03.2026
On Saturday, March 21st, the Associazione Ticinese Ki Aikido had invited to its usual one-day spring seminar in Balerna. The dojo members had already set up the entire 140 m² mat area by 8:30 a.m. Yvette and Geraldina welcomed the participants at the reception. Under sunny but crisp spring skies, the guests from out of town arrived at the hall. They came from Prague, Nuremberg, Lucerne, Sessa, Lombardy, and Piedmont.
Group photo from the morning
In the morning, Maurizio began with Ki tests and the Tsuzukiwaza 10 (Taninzugake) for the third Dan. After a short break, Bernhard continued the lesson with Tsuzukiwaza 21 (Tantodori 1) for the first Dan.
Before the lunch break, there were two Ki exams. Olmo passed SHODEN and Stefano passed JODEN.
For lunch, most walked to the Grotto del Mulino in the Breggia Nature Park. As last year, there was a vegetarian menu, which was very tasty.
Some used the extended lunch break for a walk in the beautiful countryside, while others took a Kyu exam in the hall.
Maurizio started the afternoon session again. He presented further complex techniques from the 3rd Dan program, from Tsuzukiwaza 10 and from Tsuzukiwaza 20 (jonage).
Bernhard then had the participants practice the Bokken Hitoriwaza and Tsuzukiwaza 27 (Bokken 1).
Since the composition of the participants had changed slightly, another group photo was taken, this time in front of the stage, because the afternoon sun illuminated the participants well there.
Group photo from the afternoon
The seminar concluded with two SHODAN examinations. Alessio and Christian demonstrated their acquired skills. Dzenan, Olmo, and Vincenzo served as their uke.
Unfortunately, about a third of the participants left the seminar without taking part in the examinations, a really bad habit.
At the end, Olmo led all the remaining participants in Kenkotaiso. Thanks were extended to the organizers Yvette and Geraldina, the instructors Maurizio and Bernhard, and all the participants for a wonderful seminar. Together, the mats, tables, and benches were quickly put away, and everyone said their goodbyes, looking forward to seeing each other again at one of the next seminars.
