Events

2010

Keiko! Keiko! Keiko!

Exactly how at the end of the practice one feels more energetic, full of life, the same at the end of this year we feel the satisfaction of the things well done and we see the fruits of our work throughout the year.

It was a busy year; lots of master came to teach us how to follow the Path. We had a lot of both domestic and foreign seminars.

At the beginning of 2010 I had the pleasure to conduct a seminar with Shihan Motohiro Fukakusa, in Kiev Ukraine, seminar hosted by Igor Shmygin Sensei president of the Ukrainian Aikikai Aikido Association.  The event took place in February, that`s why for Fukakusa Shihan, who is living in Thailand, it was the first time to experience a very cold weather, and to my surprise, the first time to see snow! It was a wonderful experience with a great teacher – Fukakusa Sensei and with great friends – Bob Resmelita and aikidokas from Ukraine.

March represented for the Romanian Aikikai Aikido Foundation the culmination of our many years of practice and hard work: the visit of Yukimitsu Kobayashi Shihan in Romania from Hombu Dojo. For the first time in Romania more than 300 aikidoka were present at an Aikido seminar, and if I can describe the atmosphere and the results I would say:”Perfect”.     
The year 2010 was a very important year for the aikidoka from Europe; Great Britain hosted the seminar conducted by the nephew of the Aikido Founder, O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. Cardiff was the host of the practitioners from all Europe who came to practice under Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba and his son Waka Sensei Mitsuteru Ueshiba.

Romania was represented to this event by a delegation composed of Adrian Munteanu, Marius Roman, Rafael Udeanu, Horatiu Pepenel and me. For three days we practiced the pure, efficient and clear Aikido. For three days we breathed the “Hombu Dojo air” and we lived in its spirit.

In September, at the invitation of our friend in Bulgaria, Rado Marinov, we participated to the seminar conducted by Yoshiaki Yokota Shihan, from Hombu Dojo. A delegation of 80 Romanian practitioners was present on the tatami for the teachings of a true Aikido master, in Sliven. We practice in the spirit of a pure and elegant Aikido, we made new friends and we consolidated old friendships.

At the end of the year in October, I had the pleasure to conduct another seminar in Ukraine. The serious way they practice Aikido, and their warm souls, made me return to this country, but this time in Kharkov, town were the branch of Gennadyi Syerovoy is located. Together with Igor Shmygin Sensei we had a great seminar, and my colleagues Romi Rus, Gheorghe Juhasz, Adi Moisei and me, we found here the atmospherefrom back home. Their enthusiasm and their wish to study Aikido the way is taught at Hombu Dojo, made me feel close to them and part of their big family. And besides the natural way the seminar was developing, I earned the greatest treasure: their friendship. In 2011 I am sure I will return to Ukraine, but till then Igor Shmygin Sensei and I will conduct a seminar in Bourgas, Bulgaria, in July, to the invitation of our friend Mehmed Mehmedov.

Looking back now, to 2010, I have to say that the Romanian Aikikai Aikido Foundation, found its Path. The Path of Aikido which we will never stop following.

The most important thing for an Aikido practitioner, the way Masatake Fujita Sensei use to always tell us, is to continue our training and to follow our master. The only way to evolve is through constant practice, not by words. “Keiko! Keiko! Keiko!” should be our decision.

I am glad to find that no matter the conditions the practice in the dojos of Romanian Aikikai Aikido Foundation continued vigorously.

I am glad to say that we made it!
We manage to grow to practice!

Dorin Marchis

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