I'm back in the game

For the last few years in London I have been content to join an existing group which technically and personally suited me quite well. I took a few classes here and there but most noticeably a few Saturdays at the local BJJ club reminded me how different I did things back in the day. So one of the people who joined that class apparently felt the same way and funded a group that had its first session last Monday.

Let's see how it goes - 20 mats makes it nowhere near the size of the Himeji dojo and it will take some time to engineer the group. At least I have a reasonable mix of people including one massive judo guy.

Peter Rehse wrote: For the last few years in London I have been content to join an existing group which technically and personally suited me quite well. I took a few classes here and there but most noticeably a few Saturdays at the local BJJ club reminded me how different I did things back in the day. So one of the people who joined that class apparently felt the same way and funded a group that had its first session last Monday. Let's see how it goes - 20 mats makes it nowhere near the size of the Himeji dojo and it will take some time to engineer the group. At least I have a reasonable mix of people including one massive judo guy.

Very cool, Peter! Glad to hear it! I thoroughly enjoyed my brief time training with you!
Also, and I know you already know this, but my terrible sense of humor requires I say it: it's not the size of the dojo, but how you use it.
Cheers!

Matthew Gano wrote: Very cool, Peter! Glad to hear it! I thoroughly enjoyed my brief time training with you! Also, and I know you already know this, but my terrible sense of humor requires I say it: it's not the size of the dojo, but how you use it. Cheers!

Laughs: But you got to admit it was one big dojo and we used it really well.

Peter Rehse wrote: Laughs: But you got to admit it was one big dojo and we used it really well.

Fact!

Whereabouts in London are you Peter?

West End (Shepard's Bush) but the group itself is at East End (Woolich Arsenal).

We had the second session - it really is a small group but I guess you have to start somewhere. In Japan my first group started with about the same number but grew fast enough to two dozen regulars. We need to advertise a bit better.

https://www.facebook.com/woolwichaikidoclub/

http://woolwichaikidoclub.com

Did you come across David Fielding yet? He trains in south London and is an old friend :-)

Rupert Atkinson wrote: Did you come across David Fielding yet? He trains in south London and is an old friend :-)

I know David - don't train with him much but have on occasion. His dojo is out of the way. Does Facebook friends count.

Since I opened the group we have had a steady stream of visitors that run their own groups - checking us out if you would. In the beginning that made me a bit nervous since it was such a young group but, with one possible exception, it has been very positive. In Himeji I made it a habit of reaching out - and eventually want to do the same here. David is a good one to do that for.