Heidelberg-Brakpan Aikido Centre

Wishing a very blessed 85th birthday to a highly respected teacher and dear friend, Mutsuko Minegishi Shihan.

Thank you, Sensei, for the countless lives you have touched around the world. Everyone who has had the privilege of meeting and training with you can surely agree - their lives have been deeply enriched.

(Approx 2 minute read)

Reaching the level of Shodan black belt is often considered a significant milestone in the martial arts.

However, it's essential to understand that this achievement represents just a new beginning. Shodan should signify the end of your initial training and the start of building upon a solid foundation.

In the 1970s, when I first embarked on my martial arts journey, black belts were rare. Today, they are more common, but the standards and depth of training can vary widely.

Some schools offer quick paths to earning a 'dan' rank, often by following a syllabus that includes only basic techniques with minimal depth. This approach can feel more like a production line than a meaningful learning experience.

The scarcity of black belts in my era meant that achieving Shodan took much longer. This longer journey instilled qualities such as perseverance, determination, and tenacity - traits that have kept many of my colleagues engaged in the martial arts for decades.

A black belt should be more than just a status symbol or an achievement; it carries a responsibility. The lower dan grades, contrary to some beliefs, do not signify mastery. They mark the beginning of a deeper, more comprehensive phase of training. Or they should!

Throughout your training, you piece together various techniques and concepts. As a black belt, your journey evolves to understanding how these elements integrate and where they can take you. I have seen many black belts, and their skills and dedication vary widely. Unfortunately, the belt alone does not guarantee a certain level of proficiency.

The ranks from 1st to 3rd dan is crucial to understand, for they mark a significant shift in focus from basic techniques to laying the foundation of a deeper exploration. A weak foundation can lead to poor training and development for years to come. Many practitioners reach this level with merely mediocre physical competency, neglecting the art's deeper aspects.

The journey from white belt to black belt should instill attributes like persistence, commitment, overcoming fears and obstacles, self-control - and keeping your ego in check.

A black belt is a metaphor for the journey you have undertaken. It doesn't signify that you are the best martial artist or that you are invincible; it means you are ready. Ready to start mastering yourself, both internally and externally.

True proficiency of the martial arts can take a lifetime, and you must be prepared to continually learn and grow.

There is a vast disparity in standards across martial arts schools, which is a troubling situation. Many black belts, some products of the McDojo, which many of us were reminded of recently, are a disservice not only to themselves, but to the martial art they study.

So, don’t be another of those guys chasing rank, chase knowledge. Let your passion for learning be your guide. True fulfillment lies in the depths of knowledge you uncover, not the scratch on the surface.


Photo Credit: Yoshinao Nanbu

Wishing a great teacher and friend the happiest possible 83rd birthday! Mutusko Minegishi Shihan, may your energy on the tatami continue to grow and flow for many more blessed years!

Anyone who has trained with Mutsuko Minegishi Shihan, will be able to confirm that she is a force to be reckoned with!

EXTENSION IS THE POWER!!

A HUGE congratulations to our own CorrieHuman Aikido Sensei on his promotion to Rokudan (6th Dan)!

International Aikido Federation On the 8th of January 2023, Sunday, the Aikido Hombu Dojo's Kagami-biraki Ceremony took place in Tokyo, Japan. 918 persons were promoted at the event.

How things have changed over the past couple of years.... Three members that trained in our Heidelberg dojo back in 1996, are back to training together in Brakpan 26 years later.

One photo was taken back in 1997, the other on Wednesday evening 30 March 2022.

Three faces appear on both photos.

One has a little less hair (to make space for the wisdom).
One has more hair (and more around the waist area).
And the lady still looks the same as she did way back then.

Congratulations to the following three students from the Brakpan/Heidelberg Aikido Centre, on doing particularly well during their kyu grade examinations on Saturday 11 December 2021. Jenna van Rooyen (6th kyu), Jonathan van Rooyen (4th kyu), Pieter van Rooyen (2nd kyu). Corrie Human Sensei (5th dan) & Shawn Hefer Sensei (2nd dan) in the front. Well done guys!!

Congratulations Corrie Sensei!

We have just concluded the 2021 IAF General Assembly.
The new IAF Directing Commitee is as follows:

Chairman - Wilko Vriesman
General Secretary - Dorin Marchis
Vice Chairman - Kei Izawa
Assistant General Secretary - Corrie Human
Advisor from Aikikai - Shoichi Kamiya
DC Member - Yoko Okamoto
DC Member - Adam Manikowski
DC Member - Frederic Heylbroeck
DC Member - Charlie McGinnis
Treasurer - Satoshi Kaga

We would like to thank to the departing DC Members and congratulate the new Team!