On top of teaching their regular classes and seminars in Japan, Yokohama AikiDojo instructors are also regularly teaching abroad during Aikido seminars and masterclasses. With the removal of a number of travel restrictions, both Guillaume Erard and Mihaly Dobroka were able to return to Europe for the first time in three years.
Mihaly Sensei was the first to leave at the beginning of June. He returned to his native Hungary and taught on a daily basis at his local dojo in the city of Miskolc, where he started his Aikido training twenty years ago.
Aikido seminar in Kecskemét
He also conducted two seminars in Kecskemét and Budapest on the second and fourth weekends of the month. In his teaching, he put an emphasis on ukemi and connection within basic techniques, and he also taught a great deal of weapon techniques at the end of each training session.
Weapons class
Guillaume Sensei left Japan at the end of June and he headed to the south-west of France to teach his annual summer seminar in the city of Bayonne at the Aviron Bayonnais Aikido. There he taught an hour of weapons every morning, followed by two hours of Aikido, focusing on minute points of technique and body mechanics.
Morning weapons class
This particular part of France is one of Europe’s most popular spots for surfing, and attendees took advantage of the afternoon break to enjoy the ocean and the many restaurants and shops in the cities of Biarritz and Hossegor. After those welcome hours of rest, all students gathered again in the late afternoon for another two hours of Aikido, where the emphasis was put on flow and relaxation during the techniques.
French students showed great dedication and there were no less than 25 people for each of the classes.
Guillaume also heads a small Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu study group in Bayonne and specific classes were held in-between Aikido classes. The group has been running for several years and the students' unfailing dedication was formally acknowledged when Guillaume awarded them certificates that came directly from the Shikoku Daito-ryu headquarters.
Umit Altiner receiving the nikyu in Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu from Guillaume
After a great week of practice and friendship, it came time to move on to the next seminar.
Saying bye to the ocean in Biarritz
Guillaume flew from Biarritz to London to spend a week in Cambridge. He was booked in for the week at Westminster College, which provided a very atmospheric accommodation, quite reminiscent of the Harry Potter movies!
Westminster College
As before, both morning and afternoon classes were held, with the first hour in the morning given with an emphasis on children and beginners.
Practitioners at Cambridge University Sports Center
On Saturday night, as is customary in England, everybody gathered at a local pub. The evening was made special by the fact that we also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Cambidge AikiDojo.
Commemoratory items made on the occasion of the club’s 30th anniversary.
After such wonderful times in Europe, both our instructors are very excited to resume the classes at our dojo and they look forward to seeing everyone back on the mat!
