Ole Kingston. Aiki – A Never Ending Journey
As many of you know. Ole Kingston is a long time friend and Sempai to our teachers Popkin Sensei and Brogna Sensei. This article about Ole from 2002 was recently, upon request from us, restored from the archives of Aikido Journal magazine (link on article page). Thank you to Josh…
Aiki Explorations
Folding Folk
This bunch were absolutely crushing it on Friday. We can’t get enough of this training.
Back at it
Last night was our first opportunity for Daitō-Ryū training in 2026, and we took full advantage with lots of focus on super soft Aiki age and Aiki Sage practice. A superb evening and an absolute privilege with these lovely folk.
Required Softness
Last night was more focus on working towards unparalleled softness, with significantly less reliance on hands and arms. It’s amazing how much easier it makes it to move a strong training partner.
New Dojo, new era
Our first evenings study group training at the new Shogun Dojo in Herne Bay. Our little crew of hardcore Daitō-Ryū advocates continue their hard work to represent the Ginjukai in the UK. We had a toast Popkin Sensei, Brogna Sensei and Okamoto Sensei, and toasted this new start in our new…
Crushing moves
So our last training session before the big move to the new dojo, we worked on Aiki sage and turning with as a little as possible focus on hands and arms. Sorry to say goodbye to our wonderful mural, but excited for the new dojo in another town.
Stratospheric
We made a hugely significant realisation or discovery at training last night. We immediately asked Popkin Sensei who very kindly confirmed, tweaked and focussed what we were doing via video call. You can’t beat modern technology for bridging distances, but it was the discovery through shared experience and collaboration that…
On tour, but not so far
We took a “study group on tour” field trip to Chatham on Friday. It was a really fun evening, thank you all.
Such a dynamic
What a superb evening’s training. A real meeting of minds and a feeling of having leveled up. Thanks as always go out to our Sensei for their instruction.
Steven’s perspective
It was my great privilege to learn Daito Ryu Akijujutsu from Howard Popkin Sensei in the UK this year. Popkin Sensei was a student of Okamoto Seigo Sensei (who in turn was a student of Horikawa Kodo, who was a student of Takeda Sokaku. Takeda Sokaku also taught Morihei Ueshiba,…
Debrief sesh
We spent the evening tonight compiling and comparing our notes from the weekend from which to work on going forward.
Pre seminar praccy
We simply cannot wait for Aiki Connections 2025. There are a few last minute tickets left if anyone needs one, just get in touch asap.
Lucky beggars
‘A’ game
These guys brought their A game this evening, defying temptation to miss training on such a beautiful summer evening. Real progress was (hopefully) made on Okamoto’s lucky 7. Most of all, much enjoyment was had with such great folks.
Hard work, but fun
On Friday the gang focused on softness, which is always hard. Our group are always so keen to get training, sometimes they haven’t even finished dinner when they arrive.
Back in Brizzie
UK Daitō-Ryū tour 2025 hit Bristol this weekend, and our favourite venue of Bristol South Aikido Dojo. With a great turnout of the best people, it was an absolute pleasure training with everyone. An amazing evening meal out concluded the day’s enjoyment. On Sunday morning, we joined our gracious hosts…
Lucky 5
Despite long travel times and sleep deprivation, the hardcore of the Ginjukai UK Branch met last night to work through the syllabus. Some unexpected epiphanies also occurred, with much laughter along the way. Who knew working hard and levelling up could be so much fun.
Soft skills
Last night Daitō-Ryū Ginjukai’s intrepid UK branch worked very hard (or is that soft?).
Legends
Crushage
Dropping bodies
Much enjoyment tonight, we received some much appreciated instruction from Popkin Sensei.
Knuckling down
Heavy emphasis again on Ryote mune tsukami and Ryote ganmen uchi as the group worked hard on the finer points of these two waza.
All Sixes and Sevens
Last night, after direct instruction from Popkin Sensei. the group knuckled down to focus on Ryote mune tsukami and Ryote ganmen uchi. The focus was such that neither of them ended up being photographed.
Renewed vigour
Fantastic session tonight, with instruction from Popkin Sensei giving us exactly the support we needed. Onwards and upwards.
Turn Turn Turn
Great fun tonight. Extra focused atmosphere as this intrepid crew invested their energy in Daitō-Ryū Aiki.
Focus
Last night’s training was all about focus. Plus the odd treat at the end. Excellent work all.
Friday night lights
Good humoured practice last night, concentrating on softness and moving from age to sage.
Post seminar blues
Yesterday we spent the evening sharing observations, notes and tidbits each of us gleaned from our teachers during the amazing seminar last weekend. Now we start on the tricky part, putting them into our practice.
Killing it
This lot absolutely smashing the reps tonight. One week until our big weekend, and we can’t wait.
Monster sesh
First training of 2025, we concentrated on the lucky 7 before Aiki Connections in two weeks time. A good turn out, and epic fun.
Aiki Connections Saturday evening meal
Anyone who wishes to join us to eat after training on the evening of Saturday 18th, please get in touch. Your menu choices are required in advance please.
That’s it for 2024
These absolute legends gathered to train in earnest, and see in the last study group session of 2024. See you all on 3rd Jan. Can’t wait.
Lightbulbs
A fantastic session at the dojo last night, with a few genuine lightbulb moments. Keep going guys!
Seminar run up
“knuckling down” to practise in the run up to the Aiki Connections weekend in January. Pictured is the fure Aiki we did at the end.
Back in Brizzie
Another successful Study group on tour weekend completed, this time it was back at Bristol South Aikido. As always, such a fantastic bunch of people. It was an absolute pleasure to train with, eat with and have the odd drink with all who attended. We really hope everyone can make…
Forging ahead
Excellent session tonight. Everyone on top form, practising in advance of January’s big visit from our teachers.
Review Evening
Good review evening, some really good lightbulb moments. A small dedicated group last night, but excellent training.
What a Gas!
A super enjoyable evening spent working towards the required softness level. Certain members of our group excelled at “store and release”.
Crushed it
Wild bunch
Week complete
A fantastic evening session tonight. Working aiki age sage in lines, and basic syllabus practice. Well done to everyone, excellent work all round.
On the ball
An excellent evening’s training, with our focussed few working the classic Daitō-ryū lines hard.
And then there were four
Without our compadres from north of the river tonight, we carried on regardless. Concentrating on the lucky 7 tonight, we worked hard to try and be soft.
Aiki Connections 2025, tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for Aiki Connections 2025, 17th-19th January 2025. Visit our Event Page to book your place.
Lucky six
Great session this evening. An hour of lines followed by an hour of the basic syllabus (kneeling).
On Tour, Off Balance
Ginjukai UK Branch on tour reaches Wolverhampton. This weekend, intrepid Aiki seekers came to meet us. Everyone worked very hard to rewire their budo bodies and brains. Those who managed were rewarded with the low effort kuzushi our particular style of Daitō-ryū aims for. It was a pleasure to meet…
Head past foot Friday
Belfast learners
Today’s study group on tour day absolutely flew by. We covered an awful lot of up, down and some turn for good measure. Thanks to all who came and helped make it such a fun day.
Tatami Ten
Great work tonight with lots of work in lines and suwari waza to close out the two hour session. Great to see everyone.