Opening the Mirror

Tonight consisted entirely of practising in lines. A fantastic energy as always in the dojo. In honour of Kagami Biraki, we didn’t have any mochi, so we settled for a wee dram instead and celebrated the promotion by Popkin Sensei and Brogna Sensei of four members of our group to…

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Brendan’s feedback

I’ve been to many martial arts seminars over the years through involvement in Aikido and Karate. I’ve enjoyed every one of them in different ways and occasionally I’ve used the word ‘superlative’ in relation to particular events. ‘Aiki Connections’ is most definitely in the superlative category; from the subtle refinement…

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Boys Buoyed

After an absolutely incredible Aiki Connections weekend, this merry band of brothers came together with the aim of consolidating what they learned. Their commitment and effort never ceases to impress me.

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Gábor’s review

I had heard about the Aiki Connections seminars many years ago so it was on my radar. After reading the 1990 interview with Seigo Okamoto Soshi, translated by Christopher Lee in 2019, I decided to definitely take part in the next one. Unfortunately Covid put the plan on hold. Finally,…

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Revelation

One of our two fantastic teachers, Popkin Sensei, once again talked us through another revelation tonight. The ability to tweak our application and level up our understanding via video chat never ceases to amaze me.

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This Group

Such a brilliant evening training tonight.  Popkin Sensei’s instruction had everyone buzzing and working super hard. It’s such a pleasure to practise Daito-ryu with these people every week. Their hard work, camaraderie, encouragement and laughter makes the whole endeavour thoroughly worthwhile.  So proud to be part of it. 

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Seminar meal

We are booked at the same venue as last year, The Rock Lodge in Whitstable. Have a look at the menu below and we’ll contact all those booked on for the weekend to see if they want to attend the meal.

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Focused few

A few people are away at the moment, but our temporarily pared down study group prepared for an evening of intensive focus and training. Enter Popkin sensei on a video call from New York to look in on proceedings. It still amazes me how he so easily diagnoses and corrects…

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All Day Daito-ryu

This Saturday, Daito-ryu took over the Shogun Dojo as once again we took the study group “on tour”. We didn’t have to travel far this time though as we infiltrated Shogun’s regular Aikido and Karate classes. Great effort was made by both groups to try something a bit different. And…

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Bristol Study Group

Ginjukai UK Branch went on tour to Bristol yesterday. We caught up with old friends, and checked in with Ginjukai members from the west country. Out thanks go to Daren and Rich for hosting and looking after us.

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Up!

Tonight was all about Aiki Age. And most enjoyable it was too. Especially because of Lionel’s “required softness” rum, which was most appreciated.

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Proper treat

Tonight during practice, we received a video call from the USA. One of our two teachers, Popkin Sensei, phoned in for a video chat and very kindly gave us some instruction.

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Tonight was fun

Another evening of lines, albeit short ones. Focus was on balance breaking. Thank you to everyone for all their continued hard work. We forgot to take a group photo, so this one will have to do

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A toast

Training last night was excellent. The two hours flew by. We also took a moment to hold a “softness” toast to our training in 2023. Here’s a few snaps of some Aiki age practice.

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Hardcore

These guys are Very serious about their Daito-ryu. An excellent evening training was followed in classic “three beers softness” fashion at the pub.

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Very active session

Thanks to everyone who attended this evening’s study group session. Such an excellent workrate, we got through so much. It was lovely to hear everyone so excited for December’s Aiki Connections weekend.

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Focus

“Circumstances” meant we had a bit of skeleton study group last night. Short training lines aside, we focused on just three kata for the whole session. With limited opportunities to practise before Popkin Sensei and Brogna Sensei arrive in December, we finished the evening with a real feeling that progress…

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Destination Copenhagen

A contingent from the study group went on tour courtesy of an invitation from Ole Kingston of Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu Enryukai. Great friends with our teachers Popkin and Brogna Senseis, Ole has practised Daito-ryu since 1986. Ole began the Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu Enryukai after Okamoto Sensei passed away in 2015. We were…

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Greatest hits

Tonight we focused in on the three techniques of Daito-ryu – Up, down and turn. Unfortunately we also said farewell to Will who is leaving for warmer climes. We will miss him.

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Gagging for it

Very enjoyable evening at Study Group. Everyone is desperate for December to come around quickly so we can get busy with enjoying Aiki Connections 2022. As our inimitable Lionel put so eloquently “gagging for it!”

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