Featured

AIKIDO ONLINE ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR

Join the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo to celebrate our 3 year anniversary!

April 2020 saw the creation of the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo, as a response to the Covid Pandemic – giving people the opportunity to continue their daily practice. The philosophy of the Online Dojo is to create a space where we can share our practice wherever, whatever the current circumstances – to train shoulder-to-shoulder in the spirit of sharing and learning together.

Continue reading for more info, and register using the Google Form below…

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

🟥 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘:

SATURDAY:


All times are  Central European Summer Time (CEST)

10:00 – 10:45 1st Class – Michael

Break

11:00 – 11:45 2nd Class – Andrea

Break

12:00 – 12:45 3rd Class – Lewis

12:45 – 01:00 Q&A + Discussion Period


🔴 INSTRUCTORS:

Classes will be led by Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros, Andrea Pfisterer and Michael Ormerod.

🔺 LEWIS (6th Dan, Shihan) trained full-time under the direction of Morihiro Saito Sensei (9th Dan) from 1986 to 1993 at the Iwama Dojo in Japan. Since his return from Japan he has dedicated himself entirely to teaching Aikido and to date has given more than 300 international seminars. After his return he maintained regular contact with his teacher, through seminars participating both as an assistant and as a translator, until the death of Morihiro Saito Sensei in 2002.

Lewis received the 5th Dan Aikikai degree from Morihiro Saito Sensei in 1999 and the 6th Dan Aikikai degree from Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba (Hombu Dojo in Tokyo) in 2009. He is the main instructor and examiner, recognized by Hombu Dojo, of the European network of dojos “Traditional Aikido Europe”. Lewis is the Dojo Cho of Takemusu Aikido Motril (Granada – Spain) and the Technical Director of Traditional Aikido Europe (TAE).

🔴 ANDREA (4th Dan) has been training Aikido since 1995 where she started at Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros dojo in Haarlem and afterwards with Hanspeter Dietz in Zurich. She has been teaching Aikido for over 20 years. In 2014 she cofounded the Kokoro Dojo Zurich where she teaches children and adults. Andrea is continuously developing on international seminars as well as during two long stays in Japan, 1999 in Iwama with Morihiro Saitos Sensei, 2003 in Kobe with Shingo Nakao Sensei.

After a PhD in Ecology and coordinating and teaching doctoral programs, Andrea is now working as shiatsu therapist, PR responsible of the professional shiatsu association and aikido teacher. With her husband Nik Bärtsch she regularly leads workshops for musicians and performers.

🟥 MICHAEL (3rd Dan) began his training in Aikido at the age of 15 in the UK. He has trained extensively throughout Europe and undertaken an intensive training period in Japan under the guidance of Hiroki Nemoto Sensei (7th Dan) and training in the Founder’s Dojo in Iwama and the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. In 2016, he began a full-time apprenticeship under his teacher Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan Aikikai Shihan), training and teaching in the Takemusu Aikido Motril Dojo and attending international seminars as assistant to Sensei de Quiros. In 2019, Michael received the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) from the Aikikai in Japan, Tokyo.

In early 2020 Michael created the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo, as a response to the Covid Pandemic – giving people the opportunity to continue their daily practice and the comfort of knowing that Aikido is just a click away under any circumstances.

🔺 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦:

All the classes will be designed especially for solo home training.

Keep your weapons (Bokken + Jo) close by and ideally, you will need a minimum of 2×2 m with a high ceiling for the exercises.

🔴 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧:

The training will be recorded LIVE and available for students to review after the Workshop. This can be accessed through the YouTube Channel at:

YouTube

🟥 DONATION:

The Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo operates on a ‘By Donation’ basis.

Suggested Seminar Donation: €20

Donations can be made through through PayPal using the following link: paypal.me/TakemusuAikidoOnline

Or alternatively through the Stripe form on our website: CLICK HERE

🔺 REGISTER:

Register using the Google Form below.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ATEMI-UKEMI / Online Workshop / FEB 2023

🔻𝗔𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗼 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

With Michael Ormerod – 3rd Dan Aikikai

The next Online Aikido Workshop of 2023 will explore the theme:

🔥 ATEMI-UKEMI: ‘Hitting Body / Receiving Body’

Register 𝗡𝗢𝗪 to secure your place:

REGISTER

This Workshop is designed for those Aikidoka who would like to explore the area of Atemi and Ukemi in relationship to Aikido’s technical syllabus.

Focus points of the Workshop will include: 

  • The crossover of Weapon-work to empty-hand striking. 
  • The challenge of how to train solo, home alone.
  • Tools and techniques to develop effective and efficient striking skills.
  • Creative exploration of Ukemi skills in the mobilising, connecting, and strengthening of the body.
  • The relationship between receiving and exerting pressure.

First, it is important to define the terms…

🔺 ATEMI – “Hitting-body”

This is the use of various parts (or whole) of one’s body, to hit or (threaten) ‘vital’ areas of another body – naturally vulnerable parts. Those ‘Hitting parts’ could include, but are not limited to:

  •  Fists
  •  Fingers
  •  Elbows
  •  Feet
  •  Knees

(Non-exhaustive list!)

The basic expression of power for functional Atemi:

Using the ground as the root of the movement, with the hip and torso as the distributor, and the periphery (hand/foot, etc.) to express the weight/pressure/power.

  🔴 UKEMI – “Receiving-body”

 “Fall seven times, stand up eight”

Ukemi – often referred to in shorthand for falling practices or the receiving of a training partner’s technique, is a much broader and deeper area of interest. Essentially it involves the absorbing of forces and pressure – allowing and distributing it through the body – not retaining the force of the impact, or letting it settle and stick. But letting it go.

The wave coming to shore is a useful visualisation. The rising, cresting, and ultimate crashing of the wave, and finally the pull of the water back to the ocean. Ukemi is to allow our structure to be distorted, not giving away our integrity or breaking, and to ultimately regain our balance. It is not simply being on the receiving end of the technique, but riding the waves of pressure, joining the motion, and surviving with grace.

Simply put, to fall and stand up again.

🟥 ATEMI AND ITS PURPOSE(S)

With the terms defined, the Aikido Online Workshop will explore further the purpose(s) and function of Atemi in the effective application and facilitation of Aikido techniques…

This could be broken down into three broad levels:

 1. Atemi to Kill/maim

 2. Atemi to distort the structure and create imbalance.

 3. Atemi to create distractions or catch attention or misdirect.

The go-to option in Aikido practice tends to be level 3. However, the option to use effectively level 3, has to be grounded in the practitioner’s ability and knowledge of levels 1 and 2 (especially 1). The ethical choice to neutralise aggressive intent without harm, cannot be baseless. The threat must carry a real risk. A bark without a bite is not enough. And to live and ‘do no harm’ is not the same as to be harmless. We may be reminded of the various statements of Morihei Ueshiba that Atemi is 70% of Aikido (or in other accounts 90% or even 99%).

🔺 INTENTION IS EVERYTHING.

In Atemi: intention could be the difference between using our knowledge to destroy – and using it to restore balance and neutralise aggression. Fighting fire with fire creates more flames, and finally more ashes.

In Ukemi: intention could be the difference between trying to escape and avoid pressure – and being molded by, and working with, the same pressure. Bamboo cannot escape the wind, but it can bend, flex, and return to its natural undisturbed state.

Each and every time we encounter violence (either physical or psychological) the intention we respond to it with, draws a line deep within us…

“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.”

– Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Register 𝗡𝗢𝗪 to secure your place:

REGISTER

⚫ SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2023

10:00 – 10:45 1st Class
11:00 – 11:45 2nd Class
12:00 – 12:45 3rd Class
12:45 – 01:00 Q&A + Discussion Period

All times are Central European Time (CET)

⚫ REQUIREMENTS:

All the training will be designed especially for solo home training.

Keep your weapons (Bokken + Jo, Tanto) close by and ideally you will need a minimum of 2m x 2m with a high ceiling for the practice.

⚫ ONLINE CONTENT:

The training will be recorded LIVE and available for you to review after the Workshop. This can be accessed through the YouTube Channel at:

YouTube

⚫ INSTRUCTOR:

All classes will be led by Michael Ormerod, 3rd Dan Aikikai.

Michael Ormerod began his training in Aikido at the age of 15 in the UK. He has trained extensively throughout Europe and under taken an intensive training period in Japan under the guidance of Hiroki Nemoto Sensei (7th Dan) and training in the Founder’s Dojo and Hombu Dojo. In 2016 he began a full time apprenticeship under his teacher Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan), training and teaching in the Takemusu Aikido Motril Dojo and attending international seminars as assistant. Michael has over 10 years of teaching experience, and in January 2018 he established Takemusu Aikido Orgiva, offering classes to children and adults. In 2019 Michael received the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) from the Aikikai in Japan, Tokyo. Early 2020 saw the creation of the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo, as a response to the Covid Pandemic – giving people the opportunity to continue their daily practice and the comfort of knowing that Aikido is just a click away under any circumstances.

⚫ MORE INFO:

𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹: takemusuaikidoonline@gmail.com

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽: +34 621 23 18 82

𝗪𝗲𝗯: www.aikidoonline.org

THE LINE – 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗼𝘀

‘𝘐𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦.’

This is the line between your center and that of your partner and represents his line of attack and hence the simplest spatial connection with him. This attack can take place directly along the line as in a shomen uchi attack or take place off the line as in a yokomen uchi (representative of straight or circular attacks in general).

We have three basic options in dealing with an attack directed at us along or around this line.

  1. We can move off the line of attack and triangulate a second line to his center directly and in the same timing as his attack (awase). A clear example of this is migi awase.
  2. We can stay on the line and ‘wedge’ into his attack. This is in fact a another triangulation but involves a smaller movement and contact with the attacking weapon. This is obviously what we do in go no awase.
  3. A third option which we can appreciate more in Jo thrusting attacks is to ‘wedge’ off the line as we receive the attack. This is the initial blending movement that takes place in the Kumijo number 2 and is a more subtle movement involving a tight circular blend that defects the incoming attack while returning us directly to our attacker’s center line. The same ‘wedging back’ movement takes place in Kumijo 3, 4, and 5 but with different technical responses.

Understanding the dynamics of ‘line work’ in the context of distance, angle and timing is critical in that these are the basic spatial and temporal parameters of any encounter and understanding them deeply allows the budoka to not only relate appropriately to an attack but also anticipate and read what is possible in a given situation and therefore control it before any attack takes place by either preempting or nullifying it, among other options.

– Reflections on the Motril Intensive 2018 – Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAKEMUSU AIKIDO AND OUR DAILY TRAINING EXPERIENCE VISIT THIS PAGE:

CLICK HERE

SCHEDULE – WEEK: JAN 23-28 2023

“The Way is in training“

– Miyamoto Musashi

The Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo Daily Training Experience is an in-depth exploration of the art of Aikido – and is an opportunity to go deeply into a modern embodiment practice, rooted in the Japanese Martial Tradition. The training is serious and demanding, but always carried out in a playful and joyful manner, designed to engage and challenge the beginner and seasoned practitioner of all levels. You will be guided in this journey with the help of detailed instruction – on a technical, feeling, and energetic level. The main challenge with the training is to ‘convert’ the audio/ visual teachings into a kinaesthetic feeling-sensation in your own body-being. The most important thing is to allow yourself to listen more deeply to your own body and eventually, through your own efforts, become your own teacher!

The training weaves in and out of the Takemusu Bukiwaza and Taijutsu systems. The focus being on solo bodywork to help you gain a fuller understanding of the Principles that underpin Aikido: Relaxing, Grounding, Balancing, Connecting, Centering, Calming and essentially: Non-resistance.

Your first week is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 with no obligation to continue.

Click here for more info:

🔥 LEARN MORE

THE SPIRIT OF BUDO

“We must keep the spirit of budo no matter how we practice.”

– Yoshimitsu Yamada

🙏(1938-2023)

.

🔸 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚:

We are a dedicated group of Aikido enthusiasts training in the Takemusu Aikido line, a traditional form of Aikido that was passed on from Morihei Ueshiba to the late Morihiro Saito (1928 – 2002). The philosophy of the Online Dojo is to create a space where we can share our practice wherever, whatever the current circumstances.

It is an opportunity to go deeply into a modern embodiment practice, rooted in the Japanese Martial Tradition and Culture. Whilst the training is serious and demanding, it is always carried out in a playful and joyful manner, designed to engage and challenge the beginner and seasoned practitioner of all levels.

Classes are led by Michael Ormerod, 3rd Dan Aikikai. Michael is a student of Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros, Shihan, 6th Dan Aikikai, Chairman of Traditional Aikido Europe and direct student of the late Morihiro Saito – 9th Dan Aikikai.

.

🔸 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦:

Each lesson is structured around a theme: beginning with a full body loosening and warmup routine, before moving onto solo weapons and bodywork training. Always moving from the simple to the complex; from the basics to the increasingly challenging advanced levels. All the training is tailored for solo home training, no partner necessary.

Classes take part via Zoom and are always live and interactive – questions always welcome!

.

🔸 𝗭𝗢𝗢𝗠 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5385646359

Meeting ID: 538 564 6359

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🔸 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘:

🔥www.aikidoonline.org

JANUARY 2023 – ONLINE WORKSHOP

The first Online Workshop of 2023 with the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo will explore the theme of…

“𝘛𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦.”

— 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘩𝘦𝘪 𝘜𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘢

Aikido at its best is a constant invitation to enquire into our relationship to pressure and the resistance that is created in reaction to it. Our practice is an opportunity to open up to the possibility to be more responsive and less reactive, and allowing us access to non-resistance as a more functional and creative solution to problems and challenges as they arise in both our training and daily life.

Like Lewis Carroll’s White Rabbit we might ask: “𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯?”

“𝘉𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨,” is the only reasonable response.

So where or, more importantly, what is the beginning?

We might notice that everything has a beginning. Our practice has a beginning – a formal bow. Each movement has a beginning – a kamae. Every sword cut has a beginning – a raise. We are constantly beginning. All. The. Time.

Our Martial Arts practice should constantly draw our attention back into our bodies – our feelings, our sensations, and our direct experience. It should be about waking up and moving toward freedom. Returning us back to our senses – standing on our own two feet, firmly rooted. It would be a shame to spend all our time training only to find ourselves falling deeper and deeper down the metaphorical rabbit hole, floating with no ground in sight and not knowing which way is up.

Our source, and our foundation, is ourselves. The ground that we seek is right at our feet. We begin there.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳, 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴. 𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.”

— 𝘔𝘪𝘺𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪

The workshop will explore these ideas and will weave in and out of the Takemusu Aikido Bukiwaza and Taijutsu systems, and explore the levels of Kihon to Ki no Nagare, with Kata and Jiyuwaza practices.

Register 𝗡𝗢𝗪 to secure your place:

REGISTER

⚫ SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2023

10:00 – 10:45 1st Class
11:00 – 11:45 2nd Class
12:00 – 12:45 3rd Class
12:45 – 01:00 Q&A + Discussion Period

All times are Central European Time CET

⚫ REQUIREMENTS:

All the training will be designed especially for solo home training.

Keep your weapons (Bokken + Jo, Tanto) close by and ideally you will need a minimum of 2m x 2m with a high ceiling for the practice.

⚫ ONLINE CONTENT:

The training will be recorded LIVE and available for you to review after the Workshop. This can be accessed through the YouTube Channel at:

YouTube

⚫ INSTRUCTOR:

All classes will be led by Michael Ormerod, 3rd Dan Aikikai.

Michael Ormerod began his training in Aikido at the age of 15 in the UK. He has trained extensively throughout Europe and under taken an intensive training period in Japan under the guidance of Hiroki Nemoto Sensei (7th Dan) and training in the Founder’s Dojo and Hombu Dojo. In 2016 he began a full time apprenticeship under his teacher Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan), training and teaching in the Takemusu Aikido Motril Dojo and attending international seminars as assistant. Michael has over 10 years of teaching experience, and in January 2018 he established Takemusu Aikido Orgiva, offering classes to children and adults. In 2019 Michael received the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) from the Aikikai in Japan, Tokyo. Early 2020 saw the creation of the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo, as a response to the Covid Pandemic – giving people the opportunity to continue their daily practice and the comfort of knowing that Aikido is just a click away under any circumstances.

⚫ MORE INFO:

𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹: takemusuaikidoonline@gmail.com

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽: +34 621 23 18 82

𝗪𝗲𝗯: www.aikidoonline.org

SCHEDULE – WEEK: JAN 2-6 2023

“Everyone has a spirit that can be refined,

a body that can be trained in some manner,

a suitable path to follow.”

– Morihei Ueshiba

The Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo Daily Training Experience is an in-depth exploration of the art of Aikido – and is an opportunity to go deeply into a modern embodiment practice, rooted in the Japanese Martial Tradition. The training is serious and demanding, but always carried out in a playful and joyful manner, designed to engage and challenge the beginner and seasoned practitioner of all levels. You will be guided in this journey with the help of detailed instruction – on a technical, feeling, and energetic level. The main challenge with the training is to ‘convert’ the audio/ visual teachings into a kinaesthetic feeling-sensation in your own body-being. The most important thing is to allow yourself to listen more deeply to your own body and eventually, through your own efforts, become your own teacher!

The training weaves in and out of the Takemusu Bukiwaza and Taijutsu systems. The focus being on solo bodywork to help you gain a fuller understanding of the Principles that underpin Aikido: Centering, Connecting, Blending, Harmonising, and essentially: Non-resistance.

Your first week is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 with no obligation to continue.

Click here for more info:

🔥 LEARN MORE

NEW YEAR’S DAY – Misogi Challenge 2023

Join the TAKEMUSU AIKIDO ONLINE DOJO via Zoom for our NEW YEAR’S DAY Misogi Challenge 2023

The challenge is simple…

To complete a series of 1,000 Suburi on New Year’s Day.

Simple.

Not easy.

“We should think that we are cutting out the bad parts of ourselves, the bad parts of our character. Parts that we don’t like. With every cut we go deeper. The aikido sword cuts in the correct way for people to follow and develop good character and spirit,… to become strong,… to help others to do the same. But first, we must work on ourselves!”

– Shoji Nishio Sensei

The practice is FREE and at no cost, you are only asked to bring your full presence of mind, body, and spirit…

… and a bokken!

Are you up for the challenge?

Find out more below.

🔥 Schedule:

This practice is open to everyone, all arts, associations, styles, levels, and abilities are welcome. The training will begin at the following time:

Sunday 1 January 2023

10:00 CET / 9:00 UK (UTC)

(Class length estimated to be 40 minutes)

You can convert to your local time zone using this page:

https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

🔥 Here’s what you need for the Challenge:

You will need a bokken (Japanese wooden sword). If you don’t have one then any stick about 100 cm long, like a broom handle, will be perfect.

Ideally, you will have a 2m x 2m space to train in – enough space to swing a stick!

It is recommended to take part outdoors in nature (a beach, a forest, a park, or your garden)

The practice will take place online via 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺. (The Meeting Room Number will be sent upon registration.)

The Misogi Challenge will be led by Michael Ormerod, Technical Director of the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo and direct student of Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros.

Register now or continue reading below for more info about the Misogi Challenge.

I WANT TO REGISTER

🔥 What is Misogi?

Misogi is a traditional Japanese purification ritual, usually performed at special times of the year (alone or as small groups). Misogi translates as ‘water cleansing’ – and is a literal cleansing of the whole body, generally under an ice-cold waterfall in winter. It serves many functions and differs greatly from one group to group. The Founder of Aikido is known to have seen Aikido practice itself as an act of Misogi, the practice being one of cleansing, polishing, and forging the body and allowing the perceptive faculties to radiate freely unhindered…

The only cure for materialism is the cleansing of the six senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind). If the senses are clogged, one’s perception is stifled. The more it is stifled, the more contaminated the senses become. This creates disorder in the world, and that is the greatest evil of all. Polish the heart, free the six senses and let them function without obstruction, and your entire body and soul will glow.


– Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido

🔥 What is the point of the Misogi Challenge?

Any activity which is taken outside of the normal routine has the potential to generate lasting and effective change, or not. The power of it lies not in the act itself, but in the carry-over to our regular activities and beyond that to our daily life. Paradoxically, that effect can only happen if it is done with absolute sincerity and commitment to the present activity (in this case, each and every cut). The challenge is not about repetition, or even accumulation, but of removal and letting go of that which is unnecessary. Each swing of the sword requires less (not more) and that we release and surrender to the activity itself, tension literally won’t cut it.

We stand to gain nothing, but with a lot to lose!

“Misogi is usually carried out at the New Year to purge the vestiges of the old year and prepare for the new. These ceremonies are largely symbolic, their effects emotionally based and short-lived. To be effective, the process of withdrawal and clarification must be incorporated into regular training.”

Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent, by John Maki Evans. 

If you enjoy the Challenge and would like to continue your practice, consider joining our Daily Training Experience.

Your first week is FREE with no obligation to continue.

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Complete the form below to save your place at the NEW YEAR’S DAY Misogi Challenge 2023. Soon after completing the form, you will recieve all the necessary information to join.

Welcome to the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo!

Early 2020 saw the creation of the Takemusu Aikido Online Dojo, as a response to the Covid Pandemic – giving people the opportunity to continue their daily practice. All classes are online, live, and interactive – taken as part of a group via Zoom Meetings. Our community is made of members from many different countries, all training in the spirit of sharing and learning together.

🔥 About Michael Ormerod:

Michael began his training in Aikido at the age of 15 in the UK. He has trained extensively throughout Europe and under taken an intensive training period in Japan under the guidance of Hiroki Nemoto Sensei (7th Dan) and training in the Founder’s Dojo and Hombu Dojo. In 2016 he began a full time apprenticeship under his teacher Lewis Bernaldo de Quiros (6th Dan), training and teaching in the Takemusu Aikido Motril Dojo and attending international seminars as assistant. Michael has over 10 years of teaching experience, and in January 2018 he established Takemusu Aikido Orgiva, offering classes to children and adults. In 2019 Michael received the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan) from the Aikikai in Japan, Tokyo.

Michael also serves as technical support for Chet Valley Aikido (based in Norfolk, UK) which was established in September 2020.

“I was drawn to the ideal of cooperative learning rooted in training methods designed to ‘toughen the body, and polish the spirit’, and practicing in an environment where only total concentration was enough. I am searching for a way of moving and interacting that is functional and effortlessly efficient – with the quality and feel of ‘liquid steel’.

My motto for Aikido training is Samuel Beckett’s:

Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better.”

Check out this Interview with Michael conducted by two Online Dojo students, about the challenges of teaching and learning through an Online platform:

INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL

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