Alpine Budo Seminar 2008

June 26th to 29th

The 9th edition of the intensive Alpine Budo Seminar took place on June 26th to 29th, 2008, in the village of Commezzadura, in the beautiful Val di Sole. The training program, as usual, included Aikido, Aikiken, Iaido and Shinto Muso-ryu Jodo. The technical direction was in the hands of René Vandroogenbroeck (Aikido VII Dan) and Pascal Krieger (SMR Menkyo-Kaiden), the third teacher, Malcolm Tiki Shewan (Aikido VI Dan and Iaido expert) being absent for the first time since the inception of the seminar.

VDB and PK under the seminar shomen: Jiyu Geiko.
VDB and PK under the seminar shomen: "Jiyu Geiko".

Some 50 practitioners from the three disciplines attended the seminar, a little less than usual, including senior budoka of the like of Daniel Leclerc (Aikido and Iaido expert and SMR Sho-mokuroku), Dominique Pierre (Aikido, Karate and Iaido expert) and Sergio Dieci (SMR Go-mokuroku). Apart from Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Slovenia and even Czech Republic – thanks to our brave Patrik Orth – were represented.

Pascal showing his tsurugi
Pascal showing his "tsurugi".

As typical for this seminar, the activities are based in the grounds of a luxurious hotel provided with terrain, relax and leisure facilities. A dojo with tatami was also available within walking distance for Aikido and Judo Ne-waza classes (the latter being an extra offered by PK every morning at 6:30, also a tradition of this seminar). The technical program was very coherent, focusing mainly on basic notions such as kiri age, kiri kaeshi, irimi, rhythm and ma-ai. A constant reference was made to the theme proposed by PK: Jiyu Geiko (jiyu = "freedom", but literally "that emanates from oneself", and keiko = "training", but literally "reflection on the past"). This theme was felt as a continuation of that worked out in the Lerins seminar, less than 2 months before.

The Lake of the Roes, our dojo for the Saturday practice
The Lake of the Roes, our dojo for the Saturday practice.
Training at the lake
Training at the lake.
Lunch at the lake
Lunch at the lake.

SMR was practiced both in an introductory style, suitable for Aikido and Iaido practitioners, and in the classical format, according to each jodoka’s experience. All SMR series have been worked out, and also Kusarigama and Jutte found a little time. A SMR certificate, Okuiri-sho, was presented to Lorenzo Trainelli, one of the organizers of the seminar, by his teacher Pascal Krieger.

Enbu: sober Osame at the end of a spirited Ran-ai
Enbu: sober Osame at the end of a spirited Ran-ai.
Enbu: perfect timing in Hissage no Kage
Enbu: perfect timing in Hissage no Kage.
Enbu: dynamic entering during an Isshin-ryu Furikomi waza
Enbu: dynamic entering during an Isshin-ryu Furikomi waza.
Enbu: the thick Zanshin ending an Ikkaku-ryu Kage waza.
Enbu: the "thick" Zanshin ending an Ikkaku-ryu Kage waza.

The splendid atmosphere partly compensated for Tiki’s missing. All classical features of the Alpine Budo Seminar were respected: PK gave his calligraphy interactive evening conference, always an intriguing event for experienced practitioners and beginners alike; another evening was devoted to live music performed by participants, with an Aiki-rock band and PK at his classical guitar; the training up in the mountains was held again at the beautiful Lake of the Roes: intensive kenjutsu and jodo prepared body and souls for the meal laid under the spruce-firs; extra training (Iaido, Judo) were considered mandatory by the majority of the participants; the final enbu in the hotel garden included intense performances of the three disciplines, including SMR parallel weapons.

While recalling the beautiful memories of Budo and friendship connected to this seminar, I take the chance to thank again our dedicated teachers and all the participants, and I leave you with an invitation the next edition, which will mark 10 years of history of the Alpine Budo Seminar.

Lorenzo Trainelli



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