Like many persons that begin the path of Aikido in their own country, as a young man I dreamt with the unification of Aikido in Mexico. However, as time went by and I experienced many situations, I realized that this wasn’t so simple; we had to come across many obstacles and many policies prevented this unification from happening. This saddened me, so I put in hold this project and instead I worked to achieve other objectives also related to the growth of Aikido in our country. Eventually, this led to the birth of our own organization, México Aikido, but I never really stopped to think about my dream, that someday and somehow I would do something about it.

In early 2007 after more than 23 years since I began my journey in Aikido, I felt that it was the perfect time to make my dream a reality. So I talked to my life partner, sensei Rocío Agüero, and we thought that maybe we could arrange an event in which we could bring together different Aikido groups and organizations, even though only for a few days. We concluded that unifying by means of having a common organization was not possible, perhaps we could come together once a year in a seminar in which we could share the different styles of Aikido of the diverse instructors that live in Mexico. We agreed that this was worth the effort and we prepared to do everything that was needed. As usual, she would design the poster and the general look for this event. On the other hand, I would try to contact all the instructors I could, the ones I knew and the ones I had only heard about. We presented this proposal to all the students from our different groups and they gladly accepted to give us their support and to work on the project.

I’d like to point out that we’ve had in the past some bounding experiences with other Aikido organizations of Mexico by participating in seminars. But this time we wanted a different focus, of having at least 10 instructors and to accomplish the goals that we couldn’t reach in the past. I sent a letter to many Aikido instructors in which I explained the general objective of the seminar as well as the bases it could be based on. As the event intended to promote Aikido in Mexico, I suggested that the seminar would hold only Mexican instructors or instructors that lived in Mexico. To further stress this feeling I decided to make it in September, the month in which Mexico celebrates its independence. I also suggested establishing a fee which wasn’t too high but that was fair to value the teachings of the instructors that would participate in the seminar. I made a balanced schedule that gave the same time to all instructors to give their class. I wanted the seminar to be of high quality, so I proposed other requirements for the instructors. For example, they needed to have a significant career in Aikido, a considerable amount of time of practice and a minimum number of students of theirs they had to participate with, because it wasn’t only a time of practicing Aikido, but of having a big celebration and spending time together.

This was a pretty ambitious project, it wasn’t going to be simple to unite in a seminar many groups or Aikido organizations with different affiliations, teachings, ideas related to practice and visions of how to promote this art in our country. I thought that a great opportunity for all the involved people was going to result from organizing an event with different objectives. I additionally suggested diffusing in the seminar, the different participating dojos and Aikido organizations. We could do that by means of having a massive demonstration that would serve as the closure for the event on the last day. And of course, we could have a share of the obtained profits destined for humanitarian help. This could be the only time in the history of Aikido in Mexico, in which a seminar could take place with all these characteristics. For this reason we wanted this event to be an example for all the existing dojos and Aikido organizations in Mexico. Even an example for other countries, because in the experiences I’ve lived in my journeys to other countries, when there are different groups and Aikido organizations in one country, this usually leads to a lack of national unity and only a few opportunities to work together in a project.

With all this context we started to receive answers from the people we invited, and we had to cope with many difficulties since the beginning as there were instructors that for different reasons couldn’t or didn’t want to participate. For example, they doubted if their leaders would allow them to be a part of an event like this, if the way it was being done was the correct one, and as unbelievable it may sound, some thought that participating in the seminar could affect their development in Aikido. There were recommendations to invite other instructors, but they were rejected since we knew that some would not participate, or because they didn’t live in Mexico. Anyway, we received a lot of different answers, but everyone who heard of our idea or contacted us, applauded our initiative and expressed their regrets if they couldn’t participate, assuring us that they would surely try to join us the next time.

At the end of the day, we had an incredibly complicated seminar, as its organization had to consider many things so all the interested groups could join us. It was a different situation for all the groups and instructors that lived far away; they needed another kind of economic support. The program was changed many times and even then many persons who had other commitments near those days couldn’t take a part so easily. Nevertheless of all these obstacles, when we witnessed the results we knew that all the effort was worth it.

It was like this that from the 22 to the 24 of September 2007, the 1er Encuentro Nacional de Amigos de Aikido en Mexico (First National Encounter of Aikido Friends in Mexico), along with a Grand Demonstration aimed towards helping the families of Mexican children with Cancer.

The event allowed us to practice united for the Aikido in Mexico for 3 days with the beautiful facilities of the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México as our venue. Around 180 Aikido practitioners signed in for the event, and more than 500 people came to see the demonstration on the final day.

Commemorative photograph taken at the end of the event 1er Encuentro Nacional de Amigos de Aikido en Mexico

The seminar began by thanking all the participants that came from all the different dojos and Aikido organizations in Mexico, friends from Aikido de Torreón Coahuila, Aikido de San Luis Potosi, AS Aikido México, Buiku kai Querétaro, Mexico Aikido Los Cabos Baja California, Zenshinkan Tlanepantla Estado de México, Bushin Dojo México, Ollink kai with different groups, Aikido de Guadalajara Jalisco, Aiki Calli also with different groups and of course all our groups from Mexico Aikido, the host organization.

In the honor guests table we had the instructors that would give their class and the representative of the Tecnológico de Monterrey and director of the Sports Department, Lic. Emilio Álvarez Frangié. The instructors were sensei Fausto Marta, sensei Aaron del Valle, sensei Thearry Robert, sensei Oswaldo González, sensei Víctor Romero, sensei Rocío Agüero, sensei Manuel Hernández, sensei Marta Fernández, sensei Francisco Leiyva and sensei Carlos Cordero, I was the general coordinator of the event and the master of ceremony.

The first day of the seminary, Friday the 23, we began with two Aikido classes that were given by two of the youngest instructors that shared their knowledge with us, sensei Oswaldo from AS Aikido and sensei Víctor Romero from Bushin Dojo. They have been working on behalf of Aikido some time ago and they are the leaders from many groups of Aikido in our country and have proven to be a good choice of groups to practice and learn Aikido in Mexico.

NIGHT OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEMINAR
Sensei Oswaldo González from AS Aikido showing a student some details about Shiho Nage	Sensei Víctor Romero from Bushin Dojo realizing a technique with a Bokken against a Jo.

The second day of the seminar was one of the most active for all of us regarding practice, as we had 5 classes, 3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. Sensei Marta Fernández from Aiki Calli gave the first class and Sensei Rocío Agüero. They were the only female instructors that taught a class in this seminar.

It’s worth saying that these two instructors are some of the few women in Mexico that have seriously committed themselves with the practice and teaching of O Sensei’s path in our country, being sensei Martha Fernández the most experienced. Another trait they share is that both are mothers, one of two girls and the other one of two boys. They have accomplished to balance their life as Aikido practitioners, wives, teachers, leaders of many groups, mothers and housewives. They have occupied important positions in different Aikido organizations and have opened themselves many groups for its practice. Without a doubt, they will always be a great example for the women that practice aikido in our country, and of course for all society.

Sensei Marta Fernández from Aiki Calli performing Irimi Nage	Sensei Rocío Agüero from Mexico Aikido explains a variation of Shiho Nage.

I had the opportunity to share with everyone in the second class of this day, a specific teaching method of aikido I started to develop back in 2005, which I’ve given the name of Kenjoho. Its basis is to learn Aikido by showing the similarities of the handling of the bokken and jo with all the bare hands techniques. A very important part of this teaching is to be able to realize all the different techniques without letting go of the weapon at any time, as well as following the teachings of the different techniques that exist in Aikido and their relationships with their weapon foundations. On this occasion I only had the chance to show the relationships of the bokken with many techniques. I hope that I made an useful contribution to the improvement of the Aikido of each one of the participants and I wish to thank them for letting me share this vision of mine.

For the third session we had the chance to take the class of one of our dear friends and teacher with many years of experience. For personal reasons he had retired from Aikido some time ago but with this seminar he returned to both practice and teaching. I’m referring to sensei Francisco Leyva, who has been a witness of the history and development of Aikido in Mexico. His participation in this event was undeniable important for all of us and very memorable for all of us, his friends from more than 20 years. It was about time sensei Francisco!

Sensei Thierry Robert from Torreón Coahuila spent some time with us, a great friend and French Aikido instructor, who has been living in Mexico 7 years. From the state of Coahuila, he has committed himself to the diffusion and development of Aikido. He has always had an open mind when talking about his participation in seminars, sharing valuable experiences and practicing with different instructors and organizations of Aikido. Thank you sensei for joining us with some of your students and for participating in this first encounter, we hope to practice by your side again in future seminars and Aikido encounters.

DURING THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMINAR
Me, Fernando Roman, showing Ken Dori Waza	Sensei Francisco Leyva explains Ushiro Otoshi	Sensei Thierry Robert shows Shiho Nage

After giving a class aimed to children and when the classes of the second day of the seminar had ended, México Aikido called all the participant instructors for a meeting. In there, we talked about many issues regarding aikido in Mexico, the importance of helping all of us by coming together this way, we talked about the history of Aikido in our country, current and future development. But the most important thing was the fact that all of us committed to participate every year in this event, no matter whom or which Aikido group organized it. We concluded that it was very important the formal establishment of this seminar, and that all of us had to support each other to accomplish this mission.

Three hours meeting with the participant instructors

The first class of the third and final day of the event, was taught by sensei Manuel Hernández, one of the most important pillars of Aikido in our country, instructor of the organization Ollinkikai. Even though he had the commitment to realize a seminar only a week apart from this one, the sensei allowed himself some time to participate in this encounter on Sunday along with many of his students. Thank you sensei for your attendance and your support!

The second and final class of this event, was given by sensei Carlos Cordero, one of the biggest persons that Aikido has in Mexico, founder of many Aikido groups, a pioneer and great diffuser of this art in our country. Sensei Carlos shared with all the participants his dynamic and humor filled Aikido. Congratulations to Sensei Carlos, who along with sensei Marta Fernández, represent Aiki Calli, one of the oldest organizations of Aikido in Mexico.

Sensei Manuel Hernández from Ollinki Kai performing Kata Gatame

Sensei Carlos Cordero of Aiki Calli making a variation of a technique

Like in most of the seminars that our organization makes, and as I previously said, one of the most important goals of this seminar was to be able to make some humanitarian work. So, with some of the profits we were able to help children with cancer in Mexico. Because they had some last minute problems, the representatives of the Casa de la Amistad para Niños con Cáncer IAP apologized for not showing up. Sensei Rocío and I went to their office that same month to give them our donation.

In this seminar we were able to raise $20,000 Mexican pesos, which were given to some of the kids representing this institution. Here are shown the thanking letters and the receipt of the donation. Thanks to the Casa de la Amistad for allowing us once again this year to give our small contribution to the great labor they realize. The Casa de la Amistad has given attention and support to 4500 children with many complications and in different stages of this disease.

We wish to thank Homma Kancho of Nippon Kan AHAN International for sharing his vision of the role of Aikido in humanitarian help since 2003, and for letting us be a part of it through AHAN México, this great philanthropist organization. We also had a special moment of deep reflection and thankfulness in the chapel of the Casa de la Amistad.

Stained-glass window from the chapel
Delivery of the donation at the Casa de la Amistad para Niños con Cáncer IAP

Click here to see in full resolution

Click here to see in full resolution

I want to make clear that even though Mexico Aikido received all the acknowledgments, this was because we organized the seminar, but all the gratitude was towards the group of participating organizations, this was something that we all accomplished. I personally want to apologize if I let myself get carried away by my excitement, caused by the seminar and by seeing all of you united. If something got out of control because of my fault or for some other reason I didn’t carry out properly this event, I offer you a sincere apology. Because this was the first encounter of Aikido friends in Mexico, I feel that we could all learn something and I encourage all the participant groups, to join forces and experiences so that the next encounter in 2008 can be held.

The Casa de la Amistad para Niños con Cancer also gave a diploma for the Tecnológico de Monterrey, to thank them for giving us their support for realizing these kind of events in their facilities. This seminar in 2007 marks the fifth anniversary since we started teaching aikido in the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México , and every year AHAN México Aikido has made in this campus, many Aikido seminars for raising funds. Seriously, thanks a lot to this institution. Click here to see some posters of these events.

Click here to see in full resolution	Delivery of the diploma to Lic. Gerardo Cárdenas. He is the director of the Sports Department at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México.

With the intention of spreading Aikido in Mexico and all the participating groups, we closed the 1er Encuentro de Amigos de Aikido en México with a demonstration. At the end of this demonstration, the audience had the opportunity to walk by different stands that we built in order to give information on the different places and groups in which anyone can practice Aikido in our country. Thanks to all for their participation, we hope that every year in the next Aikido friend encounters we can diffuse all the involved Aikido groups; we still have a lot of work to do to spread and strengthen O Sensei’s path in our country.

Besides the instructors that taught some class, we enjoyed the company of other Aikido instructors in the demonstration, like sensei Aaron del Valle, sensei Fausto Marta and sensei Jesús Rayas. Along with the rest of the instructors, we managed to make one of the most crowded in the history of Aikido in our country. Congratulations for everyone for this achievement!

The demonstration of the 1er Encuentro Nacional de Amigos de Aikido, was seen by more than 500 people

Sensei Rocío and I wish to thank everyone for participating in this First Encounter of Aikido Friends in Mexico, thanks to the instructors, students, practitioners and all the people that one way or another got involved or gave us their support so that this event could come to life. And most of all, thanks to our students and to all the staff of instructors and assistants of Mexico Aikido, we sincerely congratulate you for committing to our cause and for making a terrific job that benefited the art of Aikido in Mexico.

Finally, I want to thank sensei Rocío for giving so much of herself and for supporting me in every idea we’ve developed, I want to dedicate her the diploma that was unfairly only addressed to me by sensei Oswalso González from AS Aikido. This diploma was given as a gesture of gratitude for carrying out this seminar, because in this event as in many others, we’ve really worked and struggled together. So, thanks a lot to the magnificent Aikido instructor, friend, partner, mother of my children and wife, for sharing and believing. Click here to see the diploma

To the persons that paid in advance the video of this event, we offer a sincere apology for the time it took to make the final cut and to compensate you for your patience, we are going to give you a set of two videos, one with the classes by every instructor and another one of the demonstration. We ask you that if you already paid for the whole video, you just have to write us here to give you information on how to obtain it. And to those who didn’t pay the whole price at the time, we also invite you to write us to continue this process. To those who are interested in buying these videos, you can ask for information at the same e-mail address or visit us at our head office dojo

I say goodbye inviting all the practitioners of Aikido in Mexico to be alert, because in 2008 there are high odds that we’ll see each other again to practice and share, we are almost sure that one of the organization or sister organizations of Aikido in our country will continue next year with this work that has already started and so, will call for everyone to participate in the 2do. Encuentro Nacional de Amigos de Aikido en México (Second National Encounter of Aikido Friends in Mexico) and we hope that it could be also take place in September to make of this event, a Mexican tradition of Aikido.

Different moments of the 1er. Encuentro Nacional de Amigos de Aikido en México.

United for the art of Aikido in Mexico