Aikido at Heron Dojo

  Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei, 5th Dan,  Shizentai Dojo.

Aikikai Ireland's students and teachers - and their friends and families - were invited to visit Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei's beautiful Shizentai Dojo, in the South of Italy in April 2012 for an Aikido Course and a holiday.  Fiordineve has been in Ireland on 6 occasions already, so was delighted to have an opportunity to return the hospitality which he and his wife Rosella and their friends have enjoyed with us in Sligo, Athboy and Dublin.

Below: Group shot of everyone who was training on Saturday 14th April, with the Deputy Mayor and his wife.

A wonderful time was enjoyed by all who participated, both on and off the tatami.  With great Aikido and a  great atmosphere, it didn't really matter that we had worse weather than if we had stayed in Ireland! Next time we'll have to go in summertime, and see the place with the sun shining, but everyone agreed that it was beautiful even in the rain.

Above: the Irish group with Fiordineve and Rosella. 

Front row, left to right: Will Baker, P.J. Kirk, Eamon Coyne, Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei, Trevor Pigott, Tony McHugh, Declan Bray. 

Standing, left to right: Rosella Lamboglia,  Anne O'Shea,  Brendan Leavey, Sinead Baker, Thomas Waldron and Sarah Conlon.

Not pictured from the Irish group: Fiona Kelty, who was not training, (recovering from an injury) and  Dermot, Sinead's cousin, the Designated Driver, who does not do Aikido, but came along for the fun!

During the Course, the Deputy Mayor of Lauria and his wife (pictured with the group, above) honoured us with a visit on Saturday, and on Sunday Dottore Mariano Pici, the Italian equivalent of a T.D. for the whole region of Basilicata  came in and presented the Irish group with a flag of the area.  Eamon Coyne accepted on behalf of Aikikai Ireland.  It was a great honour and privilege to have these distinguished people come in and officially welcome us all to Lauria and to Basilicata. 

Below: Trevor being picked on by Chain-saw Man Domenico and his henchman, while trying to eat lunch!

 Below: some lively suwariwaza practice.

Some of the Irish contingent, with the lovely view from the dojo behind them.

Left to right: Brendan, Trevor, Will, Tony and Sinead.

Rosella, Sinead, Will and Declan just finishing another lovely dinner.

Above:  Sinead gets a hug from Fiordineve and Rosella. 

Below: Rosella and Fiordineve with Thomas and Sarah, the last to leave. 

Sarah said she didn't want to go home!

Fiordineve Sensei was interviewed by  Mario Lamboglia,  the Editor of the Eco di Basilicata newspaper, while one part of the Course was going on, so you can see people training while he is talking; then each of the Irish people were interviewed, one by one.  Click here to see some action from the Course, as well as the interviews.

Below: the Hotel Isola di Lauria, whose very courteous and friendly staff took excellent care of their Irish visitors.  A visiting Cardinal even sent us out some free food and wine from his table in the restaurant, while we were chatting in the Reception area!!

Below: view from the hotel.

Check out Fiordineve's website: www.aikidoweb.it  and www.AikikaiIreland.ie for lots more photos!

Below: a lovely couple!  Fiordineve and Rosella.

 Video:  Fiordineve Sensei's Course in Athboy 2011