Petra Reuffurth

Aikido instructor, 5th dan in Aikido

Born in 1971, I grew up initially in the Netherlands before moving to Cologne in 1980. As a teenager and young adult, I was an active member of the German Alpine Club (DAV) for ten years and was passionate about sport climbing and alpine climbing. Driven by my interest in Buddhism and my love of the mountains, I undertook a two-month trip to Nepal in 1996 after completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Cologne (speech and language therapy). It was particularly in the Kali Gandaki Valley in the Annapurna region that I was able to gain an insight into the way Buddhism is practised there. Back in Germany, I was on a quest, though I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for. On the recommendation of a friend, I took a trial lesson at Dirk’s dojo and was immediately struck by the focused silence and the respectful atmosphere. I began practising Aikido several times a week at a time when I was feeling insecure and going through a difficult phase in my life. The physical aspect of Aikido – learning to be aware of my own body – the mental calm after training, a growing sense of stability, even in my interactions with others: I could feel how the practice had a healing effect. Over time, I discovered a contemplative side to myself that found space within the dojo. Alongside my interest in Buddhism, I began to look into Western meditation practices and to explore Christian contemplation. I attended courses and took both short and long breaks at various Christian monasteries. I was also interested in the question of how a (spiritual) path, which a person follows persistently, manifests itself. What brings contentment, what frees one from pretences and vanity, and how does one learn to truly encounter others with an open heart?

My aspiration to become an Aikido teacher became increasingly clear. The sense of well-being that comes from movement, the energy released through practising, being less in one’s head and more present, learning to protect oneself in a holistic sense without resorting to violence – many of these themes fascinated me. After seventeen years of practising Aikido, I decided in 2013 to undertake a five-year training course with Dirk. I cut back on my working hours and eventually gave up my job altogether so that I could focus entirely on my training. The training to become an Aikido teacher was an intense, at times very challenging yet enriching period of my life, during which the perspective of teaching also became part of my experience. After completing the training, I wanted to get to know a bit of Japan. I had been exploring Zazen for some time and decided to attend an introductory course and a longer sesshin at the Lassallehaus in Switzerland, which already had a long tradition of Zen practice. I continue to take time out at regular intervals, preferably in places that are open to both Christian and Eastern spiritual traditions; there I get to know teachers of various meditation traditions and also gain inspiration for my own aikido practice and teaching.

Having gained teaching experience as an Aikido instructor in courses and workshops – including for the Technical University, the University Sports Programme and the Archdiocese of Cologne – I have been teaching a beginners’ class on Thursdays at Dirk’s dojo since 2023. I also offer one-to-one sessions, in which I aim to provide a space to explore individual topics in greater depth or to support a return to practice following a prolonged break.