Every year Wilko Vriesman organises a 5-day intensive aikido seminar. Each day there are two sessions of 2,5 hours, separated by 2 hours of rest. There were between 20 and 50 people on the mat, varying between sessions. From Delft, Mark and I attended the seminar.
As Marc Jongsten had already announced on the Christmas seminar in Alphen, the theme Wilko emphasized this year were two fundamentals of the teachings of Christian Tissier. When both teachings are applied, the aikido is peace between tori and uke:
- Define working points (e.g. fundamental ikkyo position) relative towards your own center, instead of relative towards your partner. This is most important for more advanced practitioners, as 6th to 4th kyu aikidokas still need the feeling of the partner.
- A very active ukemi: uke always moves 'into' the position, being straight and centered. This eventually results in tori and uke being completely equal. Practicing this active ukemi for some time results in the building of a strong center.
Winter school is not only about aikido. I stayed for 3 nights in the dojo together with the regular group of Slovenians and two other guests. This meant spending quite some time together; eating, talking, watching films and sleeping on the mat. All of course in a friendly way. In between I took time to do some reading and meditation, which made the winter school experience complete. Altogether I had a really great time.
Photo by Wouter van Straalen.
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