Numerous highly qualified Aikidoka met in Heidelberg

What a sight - the whole dojo full of great aikidoka in action! More than 70 participants took to the mats at the beginning of March when the annual Shinki Rengo Dan course under the direction of M. D. Nakajima Shihan took place. Apart from a narrow corridor, the entire hall was covered with mats and every square metre was needed.

The prerequisite for participation this weekend was at least 1st kyu. So it was no wonder that the techniques on show were of the highest calibre. The whole atmosphere was euphoric, and during the lunch break it was almost like being at a camp; suits and towels were hanging everywhere to dry off, and the participants and trainers chatted animatedly between pizza and coffee.

Acceptance of the Dan examinations after training

Duncan Underwood, Bernd Hubl, Claudia Buder and Rick Soriano from the Aikido Shinki Rengo examination board taught selected Dan techniques chosen by Duncan, the chairman of the examination board. Danijel Tomašević stood in for Henry Kowalik, who was unable to attend. At the end of the afternoon training, Nakajima Shihan himself took over the class and showed once again that neither height, weight nor age are a real limitation in Aikido - if you know what you are doing!

Early on Saturday evening, after a long and strenuous training session, the candidates took their Dan examinations. Daniel from the Judo-Club Pforzheim Dojo and Johannes Büge from the PSV Heidelberg e.V. Aikido Dojo were awarded the first Dan under the strict eyes of the examiners. Matthias from the Judo-Club Pforzheim Dojo also passed the examination for 3rd Dan.

Refresh old connections and make new ones

After the successful Dan examinations, 41 participants, including Nakajima Shihan, went to the nearby Kirchheimer Loch restaurant for dinner, where they all enjoyed the delicious Greek food. The restaurant is only 50 metres away from the dojo.

On Sunday morning, Nakajima Shihan led the training with advanced techniques and emphasised softness and connection in every aikido technique shown. All participants ended the training with many new ideas, techniques and experiences. The participants were very happy to refresh old acquaintances and meet new training partners and friends.

Meditation as part of the course

Real, effective sitting meditation (zazen) of significant length (30 min) before a training day is rather rare in the aikido world. Sensei always does this and it really makes all the difference: 

You sit together in strength and silence, align your focus, find yourself and form a conscious level of action together with the others. Especially because Sensei gives a "Teisho". This time the theme was "I sat not just for myself, but for everyone", for the aikidokas here, for the aikidokas of the world and for all beings in the world. Sensei said that our task is to accept all people with love and compassion. Budo teaches this on a small scale and leads us to the big picture. In this way, past disagreements with others are simply resolved - Sensei quoted the parable of the prodigal son - are let go of and together we can now shape the present in peace. It's as simple as that!

Thanks and outlook

We would like to thank the trainers, organisers and helpers for a great course! Nakajima Shihan was very pleased and chose the PSV Heidelberg e.V. Aikido Dojo to organise the International 2025 Aikido Shinki Rengo Dan course in beautiful Heidelberg.

PSV Heidelberg is well on the way to becoming a real centre for top-class aikido in southern Germany. This is not least due to the numerous workshops that are also attractive to external participants. This year too Further dates on. We look forward to welcoming both internal participants and guests from outside the company.