6th Dan Shidoin, AikiMünster, Münster, Germany
One of Sensei’s favorite seminars in Europe was the Bernau seminar located in Germany – Bernau am Chiemsee – which is surrounded by crystal clear lakes and the Bavarian Alps. In August of 2025 it will be the 28th year of this seminar.
I have been attending this seminar since 2001, and I have only missed a few seminars due to my move to Switzerland and to the days of COVID. The Bernau seminar is always held in mid-August and for the most part we have the Sun as our guide.
My heart will always be with this seminar – aikido, swimming, hiking in the mountains and great food. There is a wonderful Italian restaurant where we go every year and of course German beer – Weizenbier!
This seminar was great for Sensei since he could teach and relax after his mid-morning class. I suspect some extra sleep too given his busy seminar schedule. Many people have attended this seminar – aikido practitioners from the New York Aikikai, other state-side dojos and of course dojos in Europe. Gabi, my dojo partner, and I will once again step on the tatami in August. We invite you to step on the tatami with us.
There are many stories I could share regarding this seminar, but the picture below sums it up – what more could I say. Thank you Butch for this picture!
