Yokohama AikiDojo is pleased to report that our instructors attended the 2025 edition of the Candidate Instructor Seminar (令和6年度指導者候補講習会), organized by the Aikikai Foundation on the 25th and 26th of January, 2025. This seminar plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Aikido instruction by providing hands-on training and lectures on effective teaching methodologies.
As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence in instruction, this seminar was a valuable opportunity for both current and future instructors to refine their skills. The Aikikai Foundation invited dojos to nominate experienced instructors or promising members preparing to take on teaching roles. We were honored to have representatives from Yokohama AikiDojo participate along with 90 other people from all over Japan in this esteemed event.
Dojo-cho instructing
Mihaly Sensei and Allan Sensei were thus able to gain insights from expert instructors and brought back valuable knowledge to further elevate our dojo’s training environment. The seminar took place over two days, January 25-26, at the Minato Ward Sports Center. The schedule included the following:
On the first day, registration began at 11:00, followed by the opening ceremony at noon headed by Aikido Doshi, Ueshiba Moriteru Sensei. Training sessions commenced at 12:15, with Irie Yoshinobu Shihan’s class focusing on fundamental movements such as stance, turning, and techniques from the 5th kyu syllabus. Later in the afternoon, Umetsu Sho Shihan taught a class expanding on the training expanded to forward rolls, techniques incorporating rotational movement, and two-hand grab tenchinage throw. At 15:15, a lecture and group work session was held in the 3rd Floor Multipurpose Room, covering themes of education theory, health and safety, and first aid, including resuscitation and AED procedure on practice dummies. The session concluded with an information exchange session at 16:45, where the participants were able to share their own experience, comments, or ask questions about the content seen during the day. The first day concluded with an optional social gathering at 19:00.
On the second day, training resumed at 09:30. The first class was taught by Namba Hiroyuki Shihan, who reviewed the basic pinning techniques from ikkyo to yonkyo while focusing teaching methods. This was followed by Dojo-cho Ueshiba Mitsuteru sensei’s class at 10:45. Dojo-cho summarized the basics of Aikido and gave valuable points to the candidates on how to conduct an Aikido class, create a good atmosphere and to avoid any type of harassment inside the dojo. The seminar concluded at 12:15 with a closing ceremony, where completion certificates were distributed.
Mihaly Sensei with a fellow attendee receiving their certificates from Doshu
Throughout the seminar, instructors were required to wear traditional training attire (dogi and hakama) for practical sessions and casual clothing for lectures and discussions. The seminar was led by a distinguished group of instructors from the Aikikai Foundation. Ueshiba Mitsuteru Sensei, the Dojo-cho of Aikikai Hombu Dojo and Executive Director of Aikikai, played a central role in guiding the sessions. Other key instructors included Hayashi Yukiko Sensei, an Associate Professor at Kitasato University and an officer of the All Japan Aikido Federation, as well as Shihan from Aikikai Hombu Dojo Irie Yoshinobu Sensei and Nanba Hiroyuki Sensei, both 7th Dan, and Umetsu Sho Sensei, 6th Dan.
Irie Shihan instructing
Additional administrative support was provided by instructors from Aikikai Hombu Dojo Satodate Jun Sensei, 5th Dan, alongside Nakamura Hitomi Sensei and Arima Hayato Sensei, both 4th Dan.
Nakamura Hitomi Sensei going over some of the logistical basics of instruction, in particular as regards to safety.
We are excited about the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from this seminar to enhance our instructional capabilities and contribute to the ongoing development of Aikido. Mihaly Sensei and Allan Sensei have returned with fresh perspectives and refined skills that will benefit all members of Yokohama AikiDojo.
Stay tuned for further insights from our instructors on their experience at the seminar!
