Jul 2024 - Shin Kaze Aikido Alliance Newsletter
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News from Shin Kaze
July 2024

Shin Kaze Aikido Alliance is an organization dedicated to the practice and development of Aikido. It aims to provide technical and administrative guidance to Aikido practitioners and to maintain standards of practice and instruction within an egalitarian and tolerant structure.



Table of Contents

Contents




Introduction

Introduction



A warm welcome to the July 2024 edition of the Shin Kaze newsletter.

In this issue, in commemoration of the 14th anniversary of Tamura Sensei’s passing this July, we include a thought provoking open letter he wrote to a practitioner dissatisfied with the result of their exam, an article on Aikido that was published a few years ago in the Spanish edition of Black Belt Magazine, an article on the misrepresentation of martial arts, a new installment from Kanai Sensei's book "Technical Aikido", an article on how consistent and positive work can change deep seated negative attitudes, and information on the protocol to follow if you are planning to visit Hombu Dojo. We are also excited to welcome five new dojos into Shin Kaze, and to provide articles introducing them.

We hope you will enjoy this issue and that it will motivate you to contribute an article - or two - of your own for publication here in the future.

Communication between all our members is very much encouraged, and sharing your thoughts about our wonderful art of Aikido is a great way to enhance our connection.


Art. 2

Open letter from Tamura Sensei to a practitioner dissatisfied with the result of their exam

By Nobuyoshi Tamura Shihan, 8th dan



Foreword
July 9, 2024 marks the 14th anniversary of the passing of Nobuyoshi Tamura Sensei, 8th dan, a direct disciple (uchi deshi) of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. He was one of the most influential figures in the Aikido world and greatly contributed to its development in France and Europe. To commemorate his passing here is an open letter he wrote in 1991 to a practitioner dissatisfied with the result of their exam.
_____

There is no competition in Aikido, have you ever considered this problem?

Modern competitive sport is not something that should be condemned in its own right. It is evident that to be victorious, these days, demands even more than an extraordinary physical ability, a very high level of technique and equally a very balanced emotional health, in short, an overall exceptional well-rounded education.

Therefore, the question arises; why did the founder of Aikido refuse a system of competition?

The purpose of Aikido is to reveal and construct the true nature of the human being.

What then, is the true nature of Man, and what are we, as human beings? What is our role? It is the answer to this question which gives meaning to our lives.

Everyone knows deep down that answering this question escapes the ordinary field of reflection and analysis, but to ignore it would truly be the negation of all conscious life. Whether we like it or not, each individual has the answer within themselves. What brings us here, exchanging ideas, far predates our birth.

Aikido is the exhibition of this power which manifests itself although we can neither see it, nor grasp it. With this in mind, we can only count on ourselves, without depending on others.

Winning a competition depends always on the decision of a jury, and hence, can never lead to the same awareness. Moreover, to consider oneself to be the only one who is fair or the only one who is right, is to place oneself at an inferior level than the competitor who relies on others. It is extremely difficult to judge ourselves, to evaluate our own strengths, our abilities, our knowledge. Of course, it is possible to live ignoring all this, it is indeed easier and certainly more enjoyable.

Having reached this point, I think you will understand me.

Whether you have practiced Aikido for ten or twenty years, if you deviate from this principle, it is not possible to consider even for a moment that you are practicing Aikido.

Following the failure of an exam, attacking the jurors, your partner, the organizing structure and finally going to disturb the government, amounts to being incapable of judging yourself and sweeping aside any idea of self-knowledge.

If, indeed, your assessment of your own situation is correct, there is no longer any reason to fear a contrary decision, even one made by 10,000 people, and even less reason to be angry about it.

And even if at this point you were still convinced that you were right, the minimum would seem to be to inquire as to why an opinion is contrary to yours, leaving you free to take the best advice and leave aside what is of no use to you.

Knowing how to use the positive elements of a mistaken opinion leads towards the right direction for your training in Aikido.

N. TAMURA
Saint Maximin,
January 29, 1991


Art. 3

Art. 4

What is Aikido?

By Miguel Morales Bermudez Shihan
Dojo-cho Niji Dojo / Asociación Morihei Ueshiba del Perú




The only way to get to know Aikido in its true dimension is to practice it intensely, and in the form and conditions in which its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, taught it throughout his life. Many begin the practice of Aikido captivated by its philosophy, seeking to give meaning to their lives. On the other hand, there are those who only want to learn to develop a physical skill and/or defend themselves. In both cases the essential nature of Aikido is missed.

The perspective of each of the above only manifests a sense of divergence or a process of differentiation that, in itself, cannot guarantee that the practitioner will fully understand the martial structure that must relate the physical and spiritual aspects of the art, those principles that Master Morihei Ueshiba fused from his personal experience to give way to the creation of Aikido. No path offered to us will be a certain path, as long as Aikido as a martial exercise and Aikido as training aimed at personal achievement are divorced or separated, due to an inadequate vision, which is our own responsibility to understand.

Aikido in itself requires a personal commitment. This commitment is rooted in the dynamic movement of energies of two human beings who go to an encounter with each other, sustained by the trust provided by the honesty of training, where a dispute or personal competition to prevail over one's practice partner has no place (without this meaning there is a lack of the essential demands of the body and the spirit), to accommodate the creative martial. Just as Aikido is based on technical principles that must be respected, it is also based on a healthy psychological attitude and full integration that gives rise to a framework of collaboration between uke and tori. This mutual cooperation does not exempt practitioners from maintaining a sense of "real commitment", that is, to base the movement on energetic action, albeit relaxed, sustained by a clear intention of attacks "without resistance", which will serve the purpose of generating a sincere encounter, in which the connection between the attacker and the person receiving the attack is experienced.

When we talk about energetic action, we are referring to a disposition that knows how to focus energy in one direction, expressing without rigidity a purpose of conduct. Martial exercise does not focus on thought, but on the body as a receptacle for spiritual energy. The adventure of Aikido is manifested through a game of behaviors that lead the attacker to experience the transformation of his own strengths. This experience constitutes, in turn, an exercise that implies unsuspected perspectives. The problem of ego or of spiritual transformation s a result or product of Aikido training should not concern us in our daily practice. In reality, this transformation is not our problem, but depends rather on the integration of certain forces that we must not manipulate and whose unity and manifestation arises from the seriousness of the training itself.

Sometimes things are expressed regarding Aikido that really don't have much to do with it. It is difficult to find an absolute answer, given that Aikido is based on a philosophy that can lend itself to many interpretations, but in order to manifest itself in its entirety, its spontaneity, its freedom, and its creative force must respect certain internal and external rules.

There can be no true manifestation of Aikido without rigorous compliance with certain principles. Training should not be manifested without joy, nor as a game of strength or merely physical exercise. For the principles to be fulfilled, there must be a movement structure that allows the centers to relate in a fluid and natural way. Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba said: "The Zen saying "REFLECT ON OUR STEPS" warns us to always check if our feet are on solid ground. As Aikido practitioners, we must always REFLECT ON OUR STEPS, even as we move forward together with high ideals and passion for truth." Also: "The essence of Aikido, the union of ki-mind-body, must be realized in the whole person . If we grasp it merely as a spiritual reality we can become doctrinaire and fall into abstraction. If we see it only as a matter of technique and physical skill, then we are satisfied with a simplistic explanation of the movements. The essence encompasses the spiritual and the physical, and we must realize it like Budo, that unifies ki - the mind - and the body from a philosophical and religious point of view." We must take care of what Founder Morihei Ueshiba expressed: "What people, practitioners of martial arts, call AIKI, is fundamentally different from what I have called AIKI." We must therefore follow the teachings of the Founder. What better way than to be helped by his direct disciples on the path of the true tradition of Aikido.
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Ed: This article was published in issue No. 102 of Year X of Black Belt magazine.


Art. 5

The Misrepresentation of Martial Arts

By Michael Aloia
Dojo-cho Asahikan Dojo, Collegeville, PA



Traditionally, within the context of modern times, martial arts have served as a way for the everyday person to participate in what's considered an ethnically and culture-based, even stylized, form or system of self-empowerment. The benefits have always included a level of better fitness, health and well-being to physically and mentally live fuller lives. Additionally, involvement in martial arts have always provided a sense of community that starts at the local levels and expands, to some degree, worldwide, as individuals find connection to something greater than themselves. Moreover, the spiritual awareness and growth that is often said to occur by such participation range from better self awareness to a greater sense of daily calm and even a universal collective that brings one closer to some level of personal enlightenment.

The benefits of martial arts can run the gamut and are as unique as the individuals who take them up. However, such gains are not exclusive to martial arts alone. Any activity, of any kind, with the right focus and intent can create similar effects with just as powerful results. Sports, art, literature, meditation; any positive form of physical, mental or spiritual exertion can provide its own array of self-enhancements. Some have even claimed to find similar levels of benefits while dealing with not so positive situations. This type of involvement opens the mind to new ideas and new perspectives. Life often takes on a new or different meaning and how we choose to live could, in some cases, intensify.

Although, for many, much of the "big taboo" surrounding martial arts usually seems to primarily hinge upon the physical aspects and feats, most notably the "self-defense" facets as to its true usefulness, effectiveness and purpose in one’s life. The question is always, "Does it really work?"

However, my question is, "Does it really matter?"

If one is looking to learn to fight then martial arts aren't what are needed. Everything that needs to be learned can be found right outside one's front door and most often for free. However, the legal and medical costs associated as one is learning the ropes might be a serious point of consideration and contention. But nonetheless, one doesn't need a dojo or a sensei to learn to fight; just the desire and the will to give it a go and not give up, which is often the case with any endeavor.

With that out of the way and not a consideration or deciding factor in making the leap to train in a martial art, it would stand to reason that if within what one chooses to do gives back to them in any of the aforementioned ways, large or small, then the validity of the art, style or system is predicated as a worthy pursuit regardless if that form can function as a real world means of physical self defense. In a matter of speaking, if the art form or style that is chosen provides any level of awareness, self-discipline, self-confidence, personal purpose, mental and physical challenge or balance, then such an endeavor is valid. The betterment of the one is essential for the betterment of the many.

Modern martial arts, or Budo for that matter, are a way to self improvement, self betterment and self empowerment, as mentioned at the start of this writing. Self defense is a byproduct of what these forms could offer. Self defense alone is an assumption and misunderstanding of a now “by-gone” era and way of thinking. However, in modern times, when the betterment of the individual is so sorely needed, the selling point for martial arts has always been the "be the bigger man", "win the fight", or "never be defeated again" approach to attract students and look to turn a profit, giving a bad bill of goods in return to an unsuspecting and often uneducated public.

There is nothing at all wrong with making money from teaching martial arts. Nothing in this world is free and everyone deserves to make a living and be paid for their time and efforts. Where the lines often get crossed is when martial arts, which is a bit of a conundrum of wording in itself, are advertised or touted for what they aren’t or what they weren’t meant to be. This scenario is unfortunate because at the end, legitimate art forms are then given a bad rap and negatively viewed due to misrepresentation. Granted, some forms and styles are more conducive to combatives but many are not. To compete or hold their own, many of these styles have knowingly and unknowingly distorted the view of their art.

When choosing an art form to study and pursue today, much of the burden has unnecessarily fallen upon the would-be practitioner themselves to discern whether or not the form is worth committing to. Sure, potential students should research to determine where their interests lie and what would best suit them and their goals. But this is often difficult to do, even with the best intentions. In reality, it should be more of the art form’s responsibility to properly represent themselves and their program in an accurate and truthful light, which is not always the case and begs the question as to whether or not such sentiments of proper representation were ever really the case.

Have martial arts as a whole been misrepresented? Possibly. There have always been those who looked to take advantage of an unsuspecting and unknowing public; intentionally misleading for gain alone.

For this author, the answer simply is yes. Even with the best intentions, many of us have unintentionally misrepresented our arts and styles in an effort to demonstrate their physical validity and effectiveness. With the rise of MMA and the like over the last 25 years, traditional martial arts forms have struggled to find, keep, or maintain their place in the modern world. Since the events of 2020 and the aftermath that followed, training halls across the globe have been drastically affected, many closing their doors forever.

In a time when personal development is in high need, and should be in higher demand, maybe it’s time to call Martial Arts what they are: character development, inner growth, and personal enlightenment.


Art. 6

Book Corner: Technical Aikido

By Mitsunari Kanai Shihan, 8th Dan
Chief Instructor of New England Aikikai (1966-2004)




Editor's note: In this "Book Corner" we provide installments of books relevant to our practice. Following is Part 2 of Chapter 4 of Mitsunari Kanai Shihan's book "Technical Aikido".

CHAPTER 4 - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOINTS AND POWER, AND HOW POWER IS PRODUCED - (Part 1)

We will now examine the relationship between the body's joints and power, and how correct use of the body's joints produces power.

In examining this subject, we can begin to understand the expression of AIKIDO on the physical level, and by focusing on the nature of the body, understand the concept of unification of mind, body and spirit

The concept of unification has suffered because it has usually been a very vague concept. In the past, emphasis on the mind aspect of unification (mainly "how-to-use-KI" ideas) has been used to compensate for the fundamental contradictions and appearance of disunity of AIKIDO's widely varied collection of attacks, joint techniques and throwing techniques

However, as I hope is becoming clear through the previous discussion, it is my belief that by analyzing the workings of the body, a clear and effective logic can be defined and established for AIKIDO practice.

If we use the logic of the physical body as a basis for clarifying what would otherwise be the vague concept of "unification", we can begin to clarify one's understanding, and escape the ambiguities in most past concepts. In order to gain this much deeper understanding of AIKIDO, you must learn to use your "entire-self" in AIKIDO practice.

Expressed in physical terms, using your entire-self means that you must use your entire body in performing each movement or technique. Moreover, since the joints are the structures that connect the various parts of the body you must use all of the joints of your body. To do this you must understand the function of the joints of the human body.

There are three important functions of the joints:

First, appropriate and flexible joint movement can soften or avoid a collision with an opponent's power.

Second, joints can create flexibility. Each individual joint has a range of motion, but in order to maximize total body flexibility, one must make all of the joints, including the hip joints, adjust from moment to moment. The more joints that can be adjusted in a coordinated way, the more the body will be totally flexible.

Third, joints can produce power. Muscles create power, and multiple muscles and their associated connective tendons are attached to each joint. When multiple muscles are used in an organized way, the power created necessarily must be proportional to the number of muscles used. This power is manifested through a movement of the joint to which the muscles are connected. If this is true of one joint, then it is better to use two joints than one, and three joints than two, etc. The more joints one uses, the greater the power one can generate and transfer to the opponent.

End of Part 1.

CHAPTER 4 - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOINTS AND POWER, AND HOW POWER IS PRODUCED - (Part 2)

When multiple muscles are used in an organized way, the power created necessarily must be proportional to the number of muscles used.

Let us further examine this concept by taking a conventional CHU-DAN-I-TSUKI (Mid level thrust) attack as an example.

When you try to thrust an object with proper MA-AI (distance), you open both legs slightly wider than SHIZEN-TAI (natural standing posture) and lower your hips. From this stabilized posture, you place your right fist to the waist, extend your left hand straight forward, and then quickly pull your left hand to the left waist.

By using the reactionary power from this rapid pulling motion of the left fist, you strike your right fist forward from your right side at waist level. Just before the right elbow fully stretches out, you twist the fist inward. You hit the object at the moment when you simultaneously tighten your fist and body muscles. At this moment, you keep power in your body by holding your breath.

In analyzing this thrust, it becomes clear that, in addition to the reactionary power from left fist pulling and the twisting power of right fist, the only joint that is effectively used to convert body movement to power is the right elbow joint (and, to a lesser extent, a slight hip twist).

This basic CHU-DAN-I-TSUKI can be explained further as follows: the tension power of multiple muscles surrounding the elbow joint is converted to the speed of the striking motion and this speed, in turn, is converted to striking power. This striking power (or colliding power) is transmitted to the target object when you support the striking power with your own stable body.

However, this basic CHU-DAN-I-TSUKI is not a perfect posture from the point of view of physical dynamics. In fact, if this imperfect posture can be maintained when you strike an object, it means that the reaction from the power which is transmitted to the object is small, and therefore the amount of power transmitted is likewise small.

As long as one maintains this conventional approach to the use of the body to generate power, one can never grasp a logic of AIKIDO. In other words, this approach is a limited, and, more importantly, a non-AIKIDO way, of using the body and generating power. It is a non-AIKIDO way because the final movement is not connected to KI or the release of power.

Moreover, less joints and muscles are used because of the limited use of the KOSHI. Also, holding the breath while moving means power will be held in the body by tight muscles. Conversely, the release of the breath allows the muscles to relax and, by increasing flexibility through relaxation, permits more muscles to participate in the movement. Therefore, release of the breath means relaxation of the muscles, release of power, and release of KI.

I will explain this further. This CHU-DAN-I-TSUKI is done by using one elbow joint, and by utilizing a small hip twist and the body weight. However, the hip twisting and the body weight shifting are not effectively applied because the amount of body weight shifting is so small that it does not require the back foot to be aligned and employed in the creation of the movement. It is the use of the back foot to create power and stabilize the body weight, enlarge the size of the hip and leg movement, and augment the movement through the use of weight shifting that allows one to create a release of power.

To do this technique so as to embody the logic of AIKIDO, one would proceed as follows: If one starts from HIDARI HANMI (left HANMI), the movement should start by twisting the hip to the right. Subsequently, when twisting back the hip, this hip rotational power should be transferred to the shoulder joint rotational power, then to the elbow joint rotational power as well as the arm stretching power. Finally, simultaneously using the speed of this movement to generate power, while applying a snap to the wrist, and putting all the body weight on the left foot, one uses this left foot (which becomes the back foot) as a spring board, to push off from. Thus body weight shifting, rotation of multiple joints, and speed are converted to generate impact power as one strikes the object.

End of Part 2.

CHAPTER 4 - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOINTS AND POWER, AND HOW POWER IS PRODUCED - (Part 3)

The technique of breathing also illustrates two approaches to this technique. Holding the breath tends to keep the muscles tight (rather than relaxed). But, if the breath is released at the moment of the strike several things are achieved, among them, that the muscles are thereby relaxed and therefore capable of generating greater power. Release of the breath correlates with the release of power, as well as release of KI.

The back foot (left foot) must be straight enough to be a "strut" at the moment of impact. For the right arm, the elbow must be facing down and the palm side of SEI KEN (basic fist) must be facing up and the arm must be extended straight.

If the posture is maintained correctly, this CHU-DAN-I-TSUKI can logically yield a much greater instantaneous power than the conventional CHU-DAN-I-TSUKI . In addition, it permits you to maintain sufficient balance despite the reactionary power generated by the impact.

Twisting or reverse-twisting of the hips as an initial starting movement converts the speed of the elastic or rotational motion of the entire body's joints to power, and, accompanied by a good take-off (using the rear leg as a spring board) also converts the force of gravity into power during the body weight shifting. Finally, it converts in an orderly manner, compression of body air to power as KOKYU RYOKU (release of breath). This is the most practical and AIKIDO-like way of producing power.

If the above described striking method (I call it FURI TSUKI from JODAN, i.e. "Swinging thrust from JODAN") is further developed or perfected by training, the exact same motion can be applied to the AIKIDO throwing techniques or joint techniques.

To explain further, it is important to realize that the lower half of the body utilizes two types of movement to produce two different kinds of power. One movement is the horizontal plane rotational movement called KOSHI twist and reverse-twist, and the other is horizontal plane forward movement created by body weight shifting when the foot moves forward.

This power, produced by the lower half of the body, is transmitted to the shoulder where a vertical plane rotational movement of the shoulder joints generates centrifugal force which is then transmitted through the elbow's stretch and twist, and further converted to the power of the wrist snap. Thus different types of power are also produced in the upper half of the body.

Although different types of power are produced in the upper and lower body, it is important to keep in mind that the lower body, in general, produces power from movements in a horizontal plane, and the upper body produces power from movements in a vertical plane. This theory can be applied directly to a technique like IRIMI NAGE. It is absolutely necessary that you organize your thoughts along these lines and apply them to your technique.

I stated earlier that, theoretically, power generated from a movement is proportional to the number of joints involved. However, in reality, when a number of unique kinds of power, produced in diverse parts of the body, are put together, their combination actually generates more than the simple mathematical sum (or total value of power), of each power produced by each joint and its associated muscles. This can be called a synergistic effect.

To utilize one's own body to produce this synergy is the key point of AIKIDO's way of using the body.

As I hope this explanation makes clear, I believe an effective logic, which surpasses past concepts, can be established for AIKIDO practice.

If this logic is used as a basis for analyzing movement, the ambiguity of AIKIDO explanation of the past can be solved; it is no longer necessary to rely on so called "mental" aspects of AIKIDO to explain it. Only after AIKIDO can be logically explained on the physical/body level is it then possible to extend the explanation to the mental and spiritual levels and proceed toward a clear explanation of KI.

As long as ambiguity exists regarding the proper use of the body it is not possible that our investigation into the many aspects of AIKIDO will result in a real understanding of KI. Without clarification of the physical dynamics of AIKIDO, an explanation of KI will be doomed.

Only when an AIKIDO technique contains the characteristics of AIKIDO, consistent with the above-described logic, can we clearly state it is AIKIDO. And because of the existence of this logic in AIKIDO, AIKIDO's application to the use of weapons is possible and, beyond weapons techniques, limitless expansion of technique is possible. This is what makes possible the bright hope of the continuous development of AIKIDO.

End of Part 3.
Technical Aikido © Mitsunari Kanai 1994-96


Comics

Comics - Aikido Animals: The Bored

By Jutta Bossert



The Bored – Right now, they would rather be doing anything but practice with you. Their attention is up in the air or on the group next to you.

© Jutta Bossert - Used by permission.


Art. 8

Changing attitudes

By Fukushidoin Leonel Sánchez Sotolongo
Dojo-cho Kan Sho Ryu Dojo, Cuba



The National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) is the organization in charge of sports management, physical education and recreation in Cuba. When I began the practice of Aikido in 1999, even as a child I was able to notice the resistance to the development of this martial art offered by some INDER officials from the municipality of Cifuentes, in the province of Villa Clara, where I lived and live.

They denied us the use of the premises that belonged to the organization, to the point that they allowed horses or goats to enter the baseball stadium to eat grass, but we could not access this facility to train on the grass.

Despite all the obstacles that came our way, our group stayed united and did not stop practicing. We had access to other centers that did not belong to INDER, such as the Basic Secondary School, the House of Culture or the Social Circle, but the minimum conditions did not exist in them to be able to train fully without risks.

It was not until 2009 that for the first time, and under the responsibility of a local Taekwondo instructor, we were able to begin training in a facility belonging to the Institute, and we have remained there ever since. With joint efforts it has become a municipal reference area, and today it is the headquarters of our organization Cuba Kan Sho Ryu.

As time went by we became more and more involved in the activities of INDER, frequently being invited to hold exhibitions at their events. We have also received recognition as outstanding local activists.

Today the Kan Sho Ryu Dojo has an excellent relationship with the INDER at the municipal and provincial level, something that has been palpable during the organization of the two recent Shin Kaze International Aikido Seminars in the city of Santa Clara, the capital of the province, where they provided unconditional support.

Another example of support and recognition of our work is that recently the Municipal Directorate of the INDER of Cifuentes made a donation of 20 uniforms to the members of our dojo, something that has no precedent in the history of the martial arts in Villa Clara, and perhaps in all of Cuba.

Only with constant and serious work for many years have we managed to change attitudes, and rectify a distorted image of Aikido. With the behavior maintained, INDER was able to realize that more than a danger to its functioning, Aikido practitioners represent a healthy way of life that brings many benefits to the people of Cifuentes.


Art. 9

Welcome to our most recent member dojos



We are pleased to announce the following new dojos have joined Shin Kaze as Provisional Members in the past three months:
  • Morihiro Saito Dojo, located in the city of Camajuaní, in the state of Villa Clara, Cuba, led by dojo-cho Michel Casanova, nikyu, under supervision of Fukushidoin Leonel Sánchez Sotolongo, nidan. The dojo has been an Associate Member of Shin Kaze for the past two years.

  • Dojo Aikikai UCLV - Kan Sho Ryu Dojo, located in the city of Santa Clara, in the state of Villa Clara, Cuba, led by dojo-cho Alberto Rodríguez Carvajal under supervision of Fukushidoin Leonel Sánchez Sotolongo, nidan.

  • Dojo Shin Sakura, located in the city of Camagüey, in the state of Camagüey, Cuba, led by dojo-cho Alexis Botiel Fernandez, nidan.

  • Kokoro Dojo, located in the city of Córdoba, in the Province of Córdoba, Argentina, led by dojo-cho Daniel Medina, rokudan.

  • Associació Andorrana D'Aikido - Kokoro Dojo Internacional, located in the city of Andorra la Vella, in Andorra, led by dojo-cho Diego Alberto Lozza, shodan, under supervision of sensei Daniel Medina, rokudan.

A warm welcome to all !


Art. 9a

Starting Aikido at Dojo Aikikai UCLV

By Alberto Rodríguez Carvajal
Dojo-cho Aikikai UCLV Dojo, Cuba



My name is Alberto Rodríguez Carvajal and I represent the Dojo Aikikai UCLV located at the Central University of Las Villas, in the province of Villa Clara, Cuba.

In our dojo we have dedicated ourselves for years to the practice of Jiujitsu and other defensive systems, but due to the dysfunctionality of these organizations and after learning about Aikido, its legacy and how the Shin Kaze organization works, we decided to begin the practice of the art of peace.

We started on January 6 of this year. After 3 months we had the opportunity to participate in the second Shin Kaze International Seminar in the city of Santa Clara, and receive the teachings of Sensei Robert Zimmermann, which increased our interest in the art.

We recently applied for membership to Shin Kaze, and were accepted as provisional members. For our training as aikidoists we are under the tutelage of Sensei Leonel Sánchez, chief instructor of the Kan Sho Ryu Dojo.

The current enrollment at our dojo is 5 practitioners, but we are developing promotional strategies to be able to grow in September, since the dojo is within the facilities of the largest student institution in the central region of the country, where a large number of young people from various provinces attend.

We hope that with good teamwork and the guidance of the Kan Sho Ryu Dojo and Shin Kaze we can move forward and grow.

Domo arigato.


Art. 10

Brief summary of my career in Aikido and my Dojo Shin Sakura

Por Alexis Botiel Fernandez
Dojo-cho Dojo Shin Sakura, Cuba



My name is Alexis Botiel Fernandez, instructor of the Shin Sakura Dojo in the province of Camagüey, Cuba. I started out in Aikido at the beginning of January 2001 in a small dojo of only six square meters (65 square feet, 3 mats), which was located in the center of the city in the home of Sensei Roger Alfonso. In this dojo we trained three times a week, and we were two groups divided into two sessions, with more than twenty practitioners in each one. This dojo was so small that the techniques had to be performed one pair of practitioners at a time, and we rotated until it was our turn again. It was two uninterrupted hours of intense training that were used to the maximum, since the sensei only taught one new technique per week and we all waited anxiously to see what the next one would be.

I practiced systematically in this dojo and only managed to reach 2nd kyu, since the sensei traveled to the United States and we were left without a dojo and without an instructor. For this reason many people left Aikido. In my case, I was inactive for about a year until I showed up at a dojo that was opening at that time, and where the instructor accepted me on the condition that I start again at 6th kyu, and even though I had to go back to the beginning, I agreed. For me, practice was always more important than rank, so I had no problems with his proposal. It was in this dojo that I spent all these years as a practitioner, achieving excellent evaluations for each kyu rank until reaching Shodan and in 2012 Nidan, in a national seminar instructed by Sensei Carlos M. Sosa Sayas, president at that time of the Cuban Aikido Association. None of these levels were recorded at Hombu Dojo, since Aikido organizations in Cuba did not operate in accordance with Hombu Dojo's international regulations.

In 2013, which was the best time for Aikido in our province, the organization distanced itself from us, resulting in many practitioners being demotivated and abandoning the practice of Aikido. After that, the pandemic came, which caused the total disappearance of many dojos and their practitioners. However, I remained firm and with the same or greater desire to continue, I trained on my own in green areas and on the roof of my house.

It was in the midst of the pandemic that I decided to build a small dojo in the back yard of my house with my own resources, and after a construction process that lasted approximately 2 years, in mid-August 2022 my dream came true. Now I was ready to open my own school, but, wanting to give it a different approach, I thought about teaching Aikido to children and youth.

On the morning of October 14, 2022, I visited an elementary school that was just a few steps from the dojo and spoke to its director, who gave me permission to go through all the classrooms to talk to the children about Aikido and my dojo. Despite not understanding what I was talking about, they agreed to come visit me in the afternoon session to see what a dojo was and what Aikido was as a Martial Art. In the afternoon I went to the school to bring them to the dojo, and we spent a wonderful and unforgettable time. More than 35 students participated and it was a great challenge.

From that day until now I continue working in teaching Aikido to children and youth, despite all the difficulties we have today. For me all this has been a challenge since practically everything has been empirical, with few resources, without support from technical advisors and so on.

On February 16 of this year (2024) I received the pleasant news of being invited as a collaborating teacher in the instruction of Aikido to children and youth by Sensei Rafael Chayres Domínguez of Aikido Chihuahua of Mexico and main advisor of Aikids Diffusion. I also participated in an eight week training course for instructors for the teaching of Aikido for children and youth, through which I learned to better understand children in their different stages of growth.

In these last two years (2023-2024) I had the opportunity to participate in four international seminars here in Cuba, two of them from Shin Kaze. These seminars took place in the province of Santa Clara and were instructed by Robert Zimmermann Shihan, in which I enjoyed excellent experiences. I got the best impressions from Sensei and his students for the good work that this organization is doing and I will always be grateful for being allowed to participate in these events.

This is part of my journey as an Aikido practitioner, and although it has not been easy, I continue moving forward.


Art. 11

Kokoro Dojo, a story of dedication, effort and learning

By Daniel Medina
Dojo-cho Kokoro Dojo



The story of Kokoro Dojo and its dojo-cho, Shidoin Daniel Medina begins 32 years ago, when he practiced Judo as a child. It was during this stage that he learned about Aikido, thanks to the influence of his teachers Shihan Raúl Medina and Shihan Masafumi Sakanashi. During his extensive training, Daniel had the opportunity to attend multiple international and national seminars, where he learned from great teachers such as, in no particular order, Shihan Christian Tissier, Shihan Robert Zimmermann, Shihan Nobuyoshi Tamura, Shihan Yoshimitsu Yamada and Shihan Mitsuru Sobue, among others. His quest for knowledge led him to travel the world, giving seminars and training in countries such as the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Peru.

Shidoin Medina is a prominent figure in the world of Aikido in Córdoba and Argentina, with the prestigious rank of 6th Dan awarded by Aikikai Hombu Dojo. With a career of more than 30 years teaching and dedicating himself to martial arts as a way of life, Daniel has also been an outstanding instructor for Special Forces groups and Argentine Army personnel. His dedication and passion for martial arts led him to found Kokoro Dojo, one of the largest Aikido schools in the interior of the Argentine Republic, more than 22 years ago.

Since its beginnings, the school has trained more than 4,000 students, instilling in them the values and principles of Aikido. At Kokoro Dojo, not only a martial art of self-defense is taught, but also a path towards the integral development of the human being. Each class is an opportunity to learn not only the techniques of Aikido, but students learn the importance of respect for others, temperance, integrity and honor. The school is passionately dedicated to the comprehensive training of its students, helping them grow and improve in all aspects of their lives. In addition, personal development is encouraged by helping students overcome their ego, understand the importance of maintaining a beginner's mind and cultivate humility, without competing among peers.

With daily classes, students have the opportunity to practice with weapons like Jo and Bokken, building and learning, step by step at the School. Additionally, every year, Kokoro Dojo organizes Summer Seminars in the beautiful Sierras of Córdoba. Here, students practice with weapons and perform meditations outdoors, creating a special bond with the group, nature and Aikido. These seminars are moments of deep personal growth and connection with oneself and others, strengthening not only the body, but also the spirit.

Under the guidance of Shidoin Daniel Medina, Kokoro Dojo continues to be a beacon of excellence in the teaching of Aikido. The dedication and effort of his Sensei and his team have built a solid community, with complete trust among colleagues and with his Master, committed to the values ​​of life, Aikido and the personal development of each of its members. The story of Kokoro Dojo is an inspiration for all those who seek not only to learn a martial art, but also to improve as individuals, as a group and as Aikidokas, to create a better world together.


Art. 12

My Career as an Aikido Instructor

By Diego Alberto Lozza
Dojo-cho Associació Andorrana D'Aikido - Kokoro Dojo International



With over 20 years of experience in martial arts, my trajectory in the world of Aikido and other disciplines has been a journey full of learning, dedication and personal growth. My interest in martial arts began with Kyokushin Karate, a discipline in which I acquired fundamental knowledge that later complemented my practice of Aikido.

In addition, my interest in Buddhism and the study of the teachings of Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche have enriched my perspective and approach to teaching Aikido.

I have dedicated my life to teaching classes aimed at a wide variety of people, including civilians, public and private services, as well as self-defense for women, military, police, private security, firefighters, on-call doctors and custodians. My goal has always been to provide useful and effective tools for self-defense and personal development, adapted to the specific needs of each group.

In 2016, I founded the first official Aikido school in the Principality of Andorra, in the parish of Andorra la Vella, under the name of Kokoro Dojo International. This dojo was a tribute to the school where I trained and represented a dream come true. Three years later, in 2019, I created the Andorran Aikido Association Kokoro Dojo International, further consolidating my commitment to the dissemination and teaching of this discipline in the region.

As a school, we have participated in several very important events in Andorra, such as at the Adorran Association Against Cancer (ASSANDCA) on two occasions, and at the Fira d’Andorra la Vella. These events have been an excellent opportunity to connect with the community and promote the benefits of Aikido. We have also organized two seminars in the parish of Ordino, where we have received guests from different countries who came to support our school and contributed significantly to its growth.

My development as an Aikido instructor has been possible thanks to the guidance and teachings of great mentors, one of them and the most important one, Sensei Daniel Eduardo Medina, 6th Dan and director of Kokoro Dojo Casa Central Argentina, and his father, Shihan Raúl Marcial Medina Franck, 7th Dan. The influence and support I have received from them has been fundamental in my training and in the quality of teaching I provide.

Throughout my career, I have participated in many national and international seminars, which has allowed me to learn from teachers from different schools and enrich my understanding of Aikido. One of the most outstanding experiences was my participation in the 2022 seminar in Madrid with Mitsuteru Ueshiba, son of the third and current Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba. Other important mentors have been Sensei Masafumi Sakanashi, Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and Manolo García Sanz Shidoin, whose teachings have left a deep mark on my practice and philosophy.

In short, my career as an Aikido instructor is a reflection of years of dedication, learning and passion for martial arts. My commitment is to continue transmitting this knowledge and values to my students, helping them discover and develop their potential through Aikido.


Art. 13

Are you planning to visit Hombu Dojo?



We have been informed that if you are planning a visit to train at Hombu Dojo the preferred protocol to follow is that you let Shin Kaze know, who in turn will inform Hombu, rather than contacting Hombu directly on your own.

When informing Shin Kaze please provide:
  • your name
  • your rank
  • your designation (none, Fukushidoin, Shidoin, Shihan)
  • your Aikikai Membership Number (if applicable)
  • the name of your dojo
  • the name, rank, designation and Aikikai Membership Number of your direct teacher
  • the exact dates you are planning to practice at Hombu.

Following this protocol will help Hombu staff and will go a long way to making your visit more enjoyable.



Dear Dojo-cho and Supporters:


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