“We have so little time; we must proceed very slowly,” Buddhist wisdom

Practising in the spirit of the Japanese Zen traditions …

… in a martial art, this means looking mindfully and respectfully at the ‘I’, the ‘YOU’ and the ‘WE’. It enables profound processes of growth through which our true selves unfold. Zen paths invite us to remain on this path throughout our lives.

Do, 道: The Way – Practice is the Way

Practise

Movement meditation

Each session begins with a 20- to 25-minute movement meditation comprising awareness, breathing and physical exercises. A series of falling exercises rounds off the ‘warm-up’. We gently heighten our awareness of our bodies – from our eyes to the tips of our toes – and develop healthy, efficient movement patterns.

Repeat has been changed

The small number of Aikido techniques allows for repetition right from the start: a continuous process of refining and internalising the exercises, developing keen awareness, and gaining confidence in self-defence and ethical conduct.

Ritualised

Our training has been clearly structured for decades. This means that, for beginners, a great deal feels familiar after just a short time. Even getting back into it after 20 years is easy. The body remembers, even if everything feels a bit stiff at first.

Silence

The particular tranquillity of the training session opens the senses and encourages a sensory understanding of the exercises; it deepens concentration and supports practising at one’s own pace.

Respect

The ritualised nature of the practice, the silence and, above all, the respectful interaction with one another make it possible to practise even on days when one is not feeling at one’s best. This is often the first step towards physical or mental recovery.