At the beginning of July, just like every year for ten years running, a group of fanatical aikidoka went to Mèze (Hérault, France) for a week of intensive training under heavy sun. The Taurus site, near the lake of Thau, is once again welcoming over a hundred aikidoka trainers on over 1000m² of mats.
Aikidoka came from all over France and Europe to meet here under Philippe Gouttard's training (6th dan FFAAA). The atmosphere was very relaxed as people come here as much for the Aikido as for Philippe Gouttard himself. He welcomes each of us individually by a sincere hand shake, an embrace or a kiss. At first you feel intimidated by this impressive man full of charisma and energy, but then you are quickly charmed. This human contact is very important for Philippe Gouttard. He states that one is not able to practice Aikido properly without this human contact. It is amazing that he remembers faces and sometimes names of the people he met on the mats. It is in this atmosphere that this week will take place where we learn to condition our bodies as well as the bodies of our partners.
Philippe is full of energy, driving us toward excellence and motivating us to give our maximum attention, presence and intensity at any time and for the whole length of the training. One seldom feels this level of concentration and energy during a summer camp. According to him, this is the only way to sharpen the body and the mind. With this rhythm, the hours between training are used to relax. We enjoy the local life and of course we try the oysters from Bouzigues, well known in the area. Life in the city's public camping site has been changed; a lot of keikogi can be seen drying at the appropriate place, reinforcing this feeling of belonging, both on and outside the mats
On the mats, beginners are training with more experienced aikidoka, learning from one another without any ego. Any chance of showing his ego is quickly withdrawn thanks to a lot of advice and listening from Philippe Gouttard. We are not here to give lessons but to understand one another. According to Philippe Gouttard, a less experienced partner should always be corrected by the body, the voice being only used in case of imminent danger for oneself or for the other. It is important to notice that on the mat, few words are spoken and only the sound of falling and kiai can be heard. But it is true that in this intense sun, we should save our breath if we want to continue to follow the rhythm.
The first hour of the morning is dedicated to the weapons, Bokken or Jo, which allows a constant progression in the overall approach but also in depth even for the beginners. Philippe Gouttard leaves the overall approach to be taught by the other teachers throughout the year. In Mèze, he takes the aikidoka as they are, teaching them a feeling and a touch to define their Aikido. At the end of each session, Philippe Gouttard takes the time to listen to everyone, massaging aikidoka to relieve them from being sore, tense or hurt. This seminar in Mèze is a unique occasion to develop the body, the mind and Aikido as well as to meet very experienced aikidoka (some with a very high grade). But most of all, this summer camp gives us the opportunity to meet a unique expert who sees Aikido not as a succession of techniques and principles but as a real life teaching.
