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…
We took a “study group on tour” field trip to Chatham on Friday. It was a really fun evening, thank you all.
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.
We spent the evening tonight compiling and comparing our notes from the weekend from which to work on going forward.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Last night Daitō-Ryū Ginjukai’s intrepid UK branch worked very hard (or is that soft?).
Much enjoyment tonight, we received some much appreciated instruction from Popkin Sensei.
Heavy emphasis again on Ryote mune tsukami and Ryote ganmen uchi as the group worked hard on the finer points of these two waza.
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.
Fantastic session tonight, with instruction from Popkin Sensei giving us exactly the support we needed. Onwards and upwards.
Great fun tonight. Extra focused atmosphere as this intrepid crew invested their energy in Daitō-Ryū Aiki.
Last night’s training was all about focus. Plus the odd treat at the end. Excellent work all.
Good humoured practice last night, concentrating on softness and moving from age to sage.
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.
This lot absolutely smashing the reps tonight. One week until our big weekend, and we can’t wait.
First training of 2025, we concentrated on the lucky 7 before Aiki Connections in two weeks time. A good turn out, and epic fun.
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.
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.
A fantastic session at the dojo last night, with a few genuine lightbulb moments. Keep going guys!
“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.
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…
Excellent session tonight. Everyone on top form, practising in advance of January’s big visit from our teachers.
Good review evening, some really good lightbulb moments. A small dedicated group last night, but excellent training.
A super enjoyable evening spent working towards the required softness level. Certain members of our group excelled at “store and release”.
A fantastic evening session tonight. Working aiki age sage in lines, and basic syllabus practice. Well done to everyone, excellent work all round.
An excellent evening’s training, with our focussed few working the classic Daitō-ryū lines hard.
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.
Tickets are now on sale for Aiki Connections 2025, 17th-19th January 2025. Visit our Event Page to book your place.
Great session this evening. An hour of lines followed by an hour of the basic syllabus (kneeling).
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…
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.
Great work tonight with lots of work in lines and suwari waza to close out the two hour session. Great to see everyone.
Excellent training last night. Our regular routine, plus doubling down on Brogna Sensei’s lessons from Aiki Connections.
Still fresh after the Aiki Connections weekend, we went through everything (we think) we picked up.
We couldn’t have asked for better weather to hold a weekend of Daitō-ryū. This year was the tenth anniversary of our wonderful event. Unfortunately Popkin Sensei was unable to make it, leaving Brogna Sensei to run the show solo, which he did with aplomb. Brogna Sensei took the time to…
With only a week until the 10th anniversary Aiki Connections weekend, we knuckled down to training in preparation.
With only two weeks until the big weekend the group was out in force tonight with excitement growing for the event.
Preparing for our amazing teachers’ presence in a few weeks, the group knuckled down to practise.
With less than four weeks to go until Aiki Connections, and all the fun, laughter and mind boggling skills that go with it. If you have yet to settle up your final balances, please could you do so as soon as possible. We have a meal booked for Saturday evening. …
Last night we worked through the basic syllabus, plus a few crushing Aiki sage for good measure.
