11.18
We’ve waited 2 years for Shihan Christian Tissier to visit Poznań again. It is very sad he won’t come in another 2 or 3 years but the amount of motivation to practise tops this period twice 
In other words: another great seminar! Loads of work had been put by the organizators to make this meeting perfect, and it worked! Quality of the time spent on almost thousend square meters of tatami with one of the best budo teachers in my opinion is a rare experience.
Sensei Tissier was in very good shape and mood. As usually he lead well organised training even though the plan of it was developed as he went, adjusted to the level of participants.
The leading topic of seminar was searching points and reaching limits. Points in Tori-Uke interaction that are neccessary to do the technique. Again Sensei emphasized that the constructions/forms we practise on our trainings are nothing more than a way to learn where are these points and how to use them (of course besides keeping the attitude, balance and vision -the basics). As it comes to application we should always go directly to the point and this is the only way to make aikido work in a real scenerio. Of course sensei Tissier didn’t forget to give excellent examples to his thoughts. My favourite one was jodan-tsuki – kaiten nage which also has been one of the nicest adaptation of bokken technique I’ve ever seen. It didn’t change the fact that other bokken techniques we practised on Sunday were as usually perfect teaching material and showed in most clear way the basics of movements we use in unarmed training and applications.
On the ground of ‘finding the points’ Sensei Tissier also described to us limits and how his technique developed (and maybe our will). He said that the stages of learning come as follows: the stage of phisical kind of techniques, then phisical plus technical stage. Reaching maximum perfection of technical skills – “When you can’t go faster or stronger” makes one search for other ways to do the technique. Sensei explained a lot about limits in each technique, and what makes him re-think moves to find shorter and more efficient approach. A nice example was katate-dori – uchi-kaiten-nage with sudden stop of uke right after the grip. For me it looks like a return to the roots of aikido – aiki-jitsu, but with perfectly studied each and every little detail of the movement. But everyone sees what he likes 
Another thought worth mentioning was about kiai. Sensei Tissier explained that kiai is like an identity, finding oneselves kiai is finding oneselves vibration. The kiai should always be the same just like the perfect cut with a sword. By the way Sensei’s kiai had a great echo .
On top of the great trainings I had a very pleasent time between them spent with friends, too bad I see some of you that rarely Domo arigato and until we see again!
Czysta radość (fot. Lech Misiarek)
Photos from the seminar can be found on the Kołobrzeg Aikido Club Gallery.