I will always have great respect and feel great joy to see my first aikido sensei. His sense of calmness and serenity has always been a source of inspiration to me. It is his ‘x-factor’ which led me to understand that there is more to Aikido than physical movement and is one of the main factors which kept me training regularly for 14 years.

During his visit this year, Ozeki Sensei emphasised the importance of meditation which is something that has always had mysterious benefits for me. Unlike exercise or physical training which has readily visible and measurable results, meditation tends to subtly shift my life. It takes a measure of faith on my part, to believe that meditation practise is what provides me with the blessings which tend to touch my life.

I hope that through the images in this gallery you too will sense the ‘x-factor’ of Ozeki Sensei and consider making some sort of meditative study a part of your life.