Last month Adrian Munteanu, one of Stowmarket Aikido club’s instructors, took a trip to see two very special teachers at the British Aikido Federation Summer School:

“I met Yukimistu Kobayashi before in England and Romania. I decided to make the trip once again up to the historic Chester on 30th July to see him again. This Shihan (Master Instructor) is the official representative of Doshu and Hombu Dojo and came to England at British Aikido Federation Summer School 2012. The event runs for a week and brings together over 100 students. Classes are also taught by Minoru Kanetsuka Shihan, the only aikido Japanese Sensei living in England, my sensei.

Only few days of aikido, but very intensive, at the pace they do it in Japan. Starting with special sword classes at 6.30am, nobody speaks on the mat, and is advisable to forget about any physical strength; on the contrary, students need both physical and mental relaxation to be able to get through the day, every single day of 12 hours of training.

Kobayashi Sensei covered a lot of basic and clear techniques that were great to revisit. He re-emphasised the body movement and the foot-work, the general attitude when dealing with an attack, how to make contact and make and maintain the connection with our partner. Kobayashi Sensei pays attention to every single detail and is applying each technique up to the end. Fresh beginner or black belt, we all had the chance to learn from doing it, by feeling it, by receiving a throw or a pin on the ground. And rarely to see it, but Kobayashi Sensei is literally sweating side by side with his students.

Many thanks, Sensei. I’m looking forward to meeting you again in March when I travel to see you in Romania.”