I first had the opportunity to train with Howard Popkin Sensei in 2019 at one of his seminars, and I was immediately struck by three things: his high-level skill, his approachable openness, and his incredible clarity of instruction. Recently, I’ve had the privilege of studying with him privately on a…
Our attention was recently brought to this very interesting infographic on the three tenets of Daitō-Ryū (pictured below), where one of our old articles was directly quoted with regard to aiki-no-jutsu. Anyway if you’re interested, it can be found at the Aikido Institute website newsletter “The Kiai” via this link..…
So new for 2026, our venue for Aiki Connections in June will be at this spacious facility in Faversham, Kent. For more details, visit our event page
Gallery from last year’s event available for your enjoyment, click the image below to open it in a new tab
What a fantastic weekend in Bristol. We travelled down for a Ginjukai meet up, to check in with our members from further afield and other friends for some most enjoyable Daitō-Ryū practice. Thanks to Daren at Bristol South Aikido dojo for hosting us. To Rich for looking after us as…
We focussed on tekubi gaeshi tonight. Lots of laughter and perseverance. Doesn’t get any better. Bristol next weekend. Exciting stuff.
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…
This bunch were absolutely crushing it on Friday. We can’t get enough of this training.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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,…
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.
