Slovenian Aikikai's December workshop

Over 30 members of Slovenian Aikikai participated in the December workshop (the Federation's free monthly joint training session) led by Dejan Biščevič and Aleksandr Starovojtov.

Seminar with Endo Seishiro Shihan in Vienna

Club Dokiai represented Slovenian Aikikai at the international seminar in Vienna led by Endo Seishiro Shihan.

Slovenia's first female black belt

Staša Pisek is the first female first-degree black belt in Slovenia to be recognized by Aikido World Headquarters - Hombu Dojo. Wilko Vriesman Sensei solemnly presented Staša with an official certificate from Hombu Dojo, signed by the Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba.

This certificate is also the first dan grade issued directly to Slovenian Aikikai, thus marking another very important step towards recognition by the Hombu.

6th seminar with Wilko Vriesman in Ljubljana

Slovenian Aikikai organized its 6th seminar with Wilko Vriesman Sensei in Ljubljana. The purpose of these seminars is to build a solid foundation for Aikido techniques, the personal development of each practitioner, and the successful development of Slovenian Aikikai as a whole.

Photos from the seminar

30th anniversary of Aikido in Poland

Jasmin Biščevič represented Slovenian Aikikai at the 30th anniversary of Aikido in Poland, as a part of an international delegation.

In the photo: Wilko Vriesman, Christian Tissier, Eloy Weterings, Jasmin Biščevič

Training and demonstration at Sportfest

The Slovenian Aikikai Federation presented Aikido at the Sportfest fair held at the Gospodarsko razstavišče (National Fairgrounds) in Ljubljana.

Croatian Aikikai seminar

October 7-8, 2006 marked the first international Aikido seminar organized by the recently established Croatian Aikikai. The seminar was led by Mutsuko Minegishi, a Hombu Dojo shihan, with four guest teachers from England and the Netherlands.

The seminar was well-organized, and the Slovenian Aikikai delegation enjoyed the practice and Croatian hospitality.

The principal guest at this event was the Japanese ambassador to Croatia, who watched an Aikido demonstration by international groups. Aleksandr Starovojtov and Matjaž Žalig, representing Slovenia, received generous applause from the spectators.

First Ljubljana summer school with Wilko Vriesman

The four days of the first summer school in Ljubljana, led by Wilko Vriesman, were a big success. To ensure that the trainings would meet high standards, Vriesman Sensei brought along three young nidans from Dutch Aikikai: Eloy Weterings, René Habraken and Robert van der Horst.

The Federation now has another black belt, Staša Pisek, and 4 hakamas (2 kyu), including Matjaž Žalig from Dokiai, as well as Veljko Novakovič, Denis Zadnikar and Boško Praštalo. Congratulations!

Photos from the summer school.

Workshop with Tom Dijkman

Another guest from Dutch Aikikai has led a seminar organized by the Slovenian Aikikai Federation. Tom Dijkman (4 Dan) is a student of Wilko Vriesman and teaches in his dojo in Amsterdam.

Photos from the workshop.

Slovene becomes Wilko Vriesman's first uchi deshi

During the summer school in Markelo, Wilko Vriesman Sensei announced that Jasmin Biščevič will be his first uchi deshi - a live-in student who devotes himself to training, maintaining the dojo, and personally serving the dojo's sensei.

Jasmin will start in September and stay in Amsterdam until the annual winter school, which Slovenian Aikikai traditionally participates in. He will not only practice intensively, but also represent Slovenian Aikikai at international events throughout Europe.

11th summer school in Markelo

A 10-member delegation from Slovenian Aikikai took part in the 11th international Aikido summer school in Markelo, NL. This was another great opportunity to practice using the modern Aikido methodology developed by Wilko Vriesman Sensei.

Training on tatami for five hours a day over eight days with more than 40 black belts (1-4 dan) is more valuable than even four months of regular practice twice a week in Ljubljana.

Participating in international Aikido seminars is a key factor in Slovenian Aikikai's rapid advancement.

Workshop with Wim van Gils

Thanks to Slovenian Aikikai's international contacts, an Aikido workshop was held here by Wim van Gils, a 4 Dan Aikikai from Belgium.

Wim is one of Wilko Vriesman Sensei's best students, and represents the line of Christian Tissier Shihan in Belgium.

Photos from the workshop

Seminar with Christian Tissier in Amsterdam

Four members of Slovenian Aikikai participated in a seminar by Christian Tissier Shihan in Amsterdam, organized by the Dutch Aikikai Foundation. They also practiced for two days in Vriesman Dojo.

Aikido demonstration at 2nd International Bonsai Exhibition

The Slovenian Aikikai Federation, represented by the Dokiai and Misogi Dojo clubs, presented Aikido as a Japanese martial art at the 2nd International Bonsai Exhibition, which took place at the Mons Hotel in Ljubljana on May 21-22.

Photos from the demonstration

8 days with Dutch Aikikai

Jasmin Bišćević (Misogi Dojo) was invited by Wilko Vriesman to stay and practice at his dojo for eight days following Queen's Day.

On his return, Jasmin held a training session which Dokiai Dojo also attended. It was great to receive some fresh news from our mentor, see how he organizes and teaches regular classes, and get other valuable information for Slovenian Aikikai.

Photos from the training

Federation's 3rd black belt

Jasmin Biščevič has successfully passed his shodan exam, becoming the Slovenian Aikikai Federation's third and youngest black belt.

This is another step towards recognition of the Federation by Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters).

3rd seminar with Wilko Vriesman in Ljubljana

On the weekend before May Day we were honored by Wilko Vriesman's third visit to Ljubljana, where he gave a seminar organized by the Slovenian Aikikai Federation.

Around 40 participants from Slovenia attended, along with one guest from the Netherlands, representing Dutch Aikikai.

Wilko Vriesman said he enjoyed the seminar and was happy to observe the group's progress, adding that he will continue to guide and stimulate Slovenian Aikikai.

Photos from the seminar

Seminar in Vienna with Shimizu Sensei

Members of Slovenian Aikikai participated in the seminar held in Vienna by Shimizu Sensei, a student of Endo Seishiro Shihan.