Tetsushinkan Aikido

Was at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital , Stanmore today - my consultant confirmed my suspicions that I need a 2nd hip replacement (had the right hip resurfaced 15yrs ago!). No cartilage left at all after about 25yrs of Dancing & 50+yrs of Aikido! Still, wouldn’t change much even if I could. Will just keep going until I’m booked in for the op.

Took this selfie in front of Aspire where I led many joyous classes and workshops for several generations of wonderful CandoCo dancers. Especially thinking of Celeste today who has just returned home after a lengthy stay in hospital - lots of love Celeste!💕

Tetsushinkan members Rosalie Wahlfrid-Shaw & Natsumi Kuroda and alumni Bartek Skibinski & Stan Lee recently attended an intensive, international Instructors Seminar at the Shiseikan Budojo, Meiji Jingu. Our thanks to Udagawa Kancho, Fukutoku Sensei, Inaba Sensei and all other instructors & staff who contributed to this enriching experience.

Class at Tetsushinkan last night led by Natsumi Kuroda exploring taijuttsu techniques against Chudan-tsuki (punch to the belly).

Natsumi Kuroda led a great class at Tetsushinkan last night.

Rosalie Walfrid-Shaw led a great class at Tetsushinkan on Wednesday.

Himalayan Yoga session led by Sasha Roubicek for members of Tetsushinkan.

Congratulations to Tetsushinkan member Bastian Juel who recently received his Shodan from Udagawa Kancho, Director of Shiseikan Budojo, Meiji Jingu.

Had a very enjoyable seminar at RAR Dojo, Rotterdam 12th-14th! Tetsushinkan members Neil Urquhart, Rosalie Walfrid-Shaw, Natsumi Kuroda & Satoshi Date accompanied me & assisted with instruction. Great to work again with Dojo Leader Erik Van Der Lee & KAR seniors Nadine Roos, Herster Hospes & Geert Mul & all other enthusiastic members. Congratulations once again for receiving your Shodan certification from Udagawa Kancho of Meiji Jingu Shiseikan Budojo! A special moment for you & for the dojo!

Here are some great images from our seminar taught by Fukutoku Sensei and Horish*ta Sensei, assisted by Hiraok San & Asai San, captured by photographer Jessica Loeb.

A big thank you once again to those who travelled to London from Poland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Greece, all parts of the U.K. including Uist and, of course, Japan, for making this a very special seminar!

Our thanks and appreciation to our guest from Meiji Jingu Shiseikan Budojo, Fukutoku Sensei, Shihan of Kashima No Tachi, and to Horish*ta Sensei who co-taught with her, for a very wonderful seminar at the weekend. Our gratitude also to Hiraoka San and Asai San for their kind and helpful support.

40 participants from Poland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece & U.K. enjoyed the intensity and focus of the seminar.

We took a deeper look at fundamental aspects and processes of Kashima such as centring in the tanden, the application of breathing and Yawara-mi - working with a receptive, responsive & adaptable body.

Thanks to all the participants for supporting the seminar and for entering into this dialogue and for contributing to such a great atmosphere!