Aikido Seminar with Yamashima Sensei – December 2024
Three Days of Keiko, Connection, Quiet Smiles, and Inner Depth at Yuko Shinzen Dojo
Since 2019, the annual seminar with Yamashima Sensei has become a cherished tradition at Yuko Shinzen Dojo. In December 2024, we once again had the honor of welcoming Sensei — joined by friends from the Netherlands, Singapore, Sempais from Chiyoda-ku Aikikai, and practitioners from various dojos across Vietnam.
Over the course of three days and six keiko sessions, the dojo was filled with quiet intensity, focused practice, and the warmth of shared purpose. Each moment was a reminder of how training, when sincere, becomes a path of connection — across countries, dojos, and generations.
📸 Day 1: Entering the Circle – The Beginning of Keiko
This first day was held exclusively for Yuko Shinzen Dojo members — a quiet opening to the seminar, where familiar faces stepped onto the tatami with renewed spirit. The intimate atmosphere allowed Sensei to guide us deeply into foundational movements and principles. For many, it was not just a warm-up, but a heartfelt return to the essence of keiko shared in trust and continuity.
📸 Day 2: Polishing the Spirit – Unity in Motion
Day two welcomed practitioners from across dojos and countries — a vibrant expansion of the circle. The morning began with a touching moment: the Kyu promotion ceremony for our young members. Their sincere effort and joyful spirit filled the dojo with inspiration. Later that morning, we had the honor of receiving Ho Chi Minh City Television for a special visit and interview, capturing the spirit of international exchange and martial arts culture.
📸 Day 3: The Path Within – Culmination and Reflection
The final day carried a quiet depth. With each keiko, there was a sense of culmination — not of ending, but of distillation. Sensei’s teaching reached an inner clarity that resonated through the body and heart. As the bows were exchanged and the seminar came to a close, what remained was not just technique, but a renewed commitment to the path of Aikido, quietly carried by each participant.
