Psacal throws Hans (kote geishi)

I was once again privileged to study aikido under Christian Tissier Sensei in his Paris dojo, the Cercle Tissier, and in his training seminars in the South of France (2 weeks) and Belgium (1 week). Sensei Tisssier took good care of me and once again he stressed that I should consolidate my basic techniques in the time that I study with him. He often gave me advice on technical details of techniques and the things he says always make allot of sense! The training was very valuable and enjoyable. I prepared for my second dan examination and Tissier Sensei awarded me with the grade when I left France.

I spent some weeks living in the Paris dojo and sleeping on the tatami like I had done for ten months in 2002. It was a nostalgic time for me. I like the simple dojo life. I spent much time with a Russian friend, Vladimir, with whom I shared the dojo space in 2002 and now. We have created our own French-english-animal-sound hybrid language with which we communicate quite effectively. We had a good time with our amigo, Marco, from Chile who also lived in the dojo. Our daily ritual was breakfast coffee at McDonalds…. In the last week we were also joined by my very good Czech friend Thomas who came to spend his month’s vacation in Paris. I miss all my good friends in Paris and I hope they will come to visit me here in South Africa soon!!