Petra Reuffurth

Aikido teacher, 5th Dan Aikido

Born in 1971, I grew up in the Netherlands before moving to Cologne in 1980. As a teenager and young adult, I was active in the German Alpine Club (DAV) for ten years and was a keen sports and alpine climber. Due to my interest in Buddhism and my love of the mountains, I travelled to Nepal for two months in 1996 after completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Cologne (speech therapy education). Especially in the Khali Gandaki valley in the Annapurna region, I was able to gain an insight into the Buddhism practised there. Back in Germany, I was looking for something, but didn't know exactly what I was looking for. Following a recommendation, I took a trial lesson at Dirk's dojo and was immediately attracted by the focussed silence and respectful interaction. I started practising Aikido several times a week at a time when I felt insecure and was going through a difficult phase in my life. The physical side of Aikido, learning to feel myself, the mental calm after training, a growing stability, also in contact, I felt how the practice had a healing effect. Over time, I discovered a contemplative side to me, which was given space in the dojo. In addition to my interest in Buddhism, I began to look for Western ways of meditation and to study Christian contemplation. I attended courses and took shorter and longer breaks in various Christian monasteries. I was also interested in the question of the effects of a (spiritual) path that a person persistently follows. What makes you content, what frees you from facades and vanity, how do you learn to really meet others with an open heart?

My desire to become an aikido teacher crystallised more and more. I was fascinated by the benefits of moving, the energy released by practising, being less in my head and more present, learning to protect myself in a comprehensive sense without violence - many topics. After seventeen years of practising Aikido, I decided to take a five-year training course with Dirk in 2013. I reduced my job and eventually gave it up so that I could concentrate fully on my training. The training to become an Aikido teacher was an intensive, at times very challenging and enriching period of my life, which also gave me the perspective of teaching. After completing my training, I wanted to get to know a piece of Japan. I had been studying zazen for some time and decided to take an introduction and a longer sesshin at the Lassallehaus in Switzerland, which already had a long tradition of zazen. I continue to take time out at regular intervals, preferably in places that are open to Christian and Eastern spiritual traditions, to get to know teachers of different meditation orientations and to gain inspiration for my Aikido practice and teaching.

After gaining teaching experience as an aikido teacher in courses and workshops, including for the Technical University, university sports and the Archdiocese of Cologne, I have been teaching a basic lesson on Thursdays in Dirk's dojo since 2023. In addition, I offer individual lessons in which I would like to give space to deepen individual topics or which can support the re-entry after a longer break.