„Strenght of Yari VII“ held

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The seminar that draws a great interest from the members of Bujinkan Macedonia, once again justified the epithet „legendary“. Once again the place „Slepo Kolo“ on the hill Orljak was echoing from the powerful screams of our warriors that were practicing with pleasure the techniques of spear combat.

During the previous day, at the event, the weather conditions were constantly changing, so in the same day we experienced the March sun, the dark clouds that were lingering above the mystical mountain Lipac, the brief icy rain, and the strong wind that kept lowering our body temperature. As always, that wasn’t enough to shake our self-esteem and desire for an intense and hard training with the Yari (spear).

After the end of the seminar, the warriors of Bujikan Macedonia immediately shared their impressions on our Forum, so we transfer a small section of them:
– „A wonderful weekend! Definitely! I like that we were similar in numbers – beginner and advanced students. „Slepo Kolo“ is a wonderful place. You can see Elenac from there and the mystical mountain Lipac. It’s a ‘million dollar view’. And while we’re at the event, I would like to quote shidoshi ho Marko, what he said a couple of years ago: ‘Such a force that could keep me from participating the seminar for a spear does not exist’. The weather was constantly changing, and as our warrior’s perspective should always be positive, it was great to learn how to fight in windy, rainy, sunny conditions etc. I participated this event for three years now. And every following time my love and interest for this weapon grows. I would like to congratulate the youngest students from the ‘Ninja Kids’ section. Kosara not even for a moment showed a hint of boredom or complained about the cold. A child with a warrior spirit. Davorche and David were good too. They both managed well. Sensei gave me the task to watch over them, so they were fed, changed, dry etc. I was strict with them at times and I would like their forgiveness for that. I did that out of care for their well-being and safety. We have a great youth. Kudos to Sashe from the beginner group. He went to the winter training, then to ‘Haragei’, and now to this seminar. Just keep attending the training sessions and seminars. Kudos to Tamara and Mila, as well as the one and only – Damjan. He is an example where hard work trumps talent. I think that he was going to start crying when Sensei gifted his hand-made shuriken. The appraisals of the teacher hold great value in our dojo. Just keep going forward. А great thanks to Sensei and his family for everything. I’m constantly looking for a way to show my gratitude, because words cannot express that. And the sleeping in Hombu is unbeievable. When I woke up on the Sunday, I felt a burden on my soul from the previous day. My body wouldn’t function, everything was put to a stop. But when I got out of my sleeping bag I was reborn. I was full of life, with positive energy and I felt great. That’s why the sleeping in Hombu is so wonderful and so magical“. – Taki Gakovski
– „Honestly, I don’t know what to say. And that doesn’t happen to me a lot. I’m still sitting here with my jaw dropped. During this seminar I lived through the best hours of my life. The documentary that we watched in the dojo, the jokes, the announced events that will soon arrive…
Hombu is an incredible place to spend the night. My back was hurting for a month from an injury from a bad fall, but after one night on the tatami – my back is like new again. The spear is an amazing weapon for its simplicity and adaptability. It enables you to play with your opponents mind, and that is always the best tactic. I must thank all kohai, sempai, shidoshi ho, shoshinsha and Sensei that are still not giving up on me – ‘slightly hit on the head as a child’. I don’t know from where they’re getting their patience because I definitely don’t have it. When we returned from the seminar to the Hombu Dojo, Kosara came and told me that Sensei called for me. I expected that I made some mistake, as usual, so maybe he needs me for a new mobile shuriken target. What Sensei said to me then I will not repeat because I can’t, but I remained with my jaw dropped. The shuriken that I got as a gift I will keep, and I will express my gratitude toward Sensei by improving myself. For the next year I would like him to gift me a katana, so starting tomorrow I will clean his house, maybe clean his jeep spotless :))). Thanks to kohai Taki for his kind words and I hope one day to achieve his level. And if I go too far with my jokes sometimes, I deeply apologize. You are free to ‘hit me unconscious’, and when I wake up I promise to be real quiet. I hope that I will be in Bujinkan Macedonia for many years to come. And to participate on a thousand more seminars, but this one I will never forget“. – Damjan Serafimovski
– „When it comes to sharing impressions from a seminar, it’s hard for me. It is hard because when you’re there, in the Hombu Dojo, and you steal from the village’s beauties, everything’s different – better. I never feel the same as when I am there. That’s because the feeling is unique and indescribable. This weekend is going to be remembered by three incredible things. Firstly, by the shuriken seminar. It is amazing when you touch that metal in various forms capable of killing. When you listen to that ‘music’ that it makes when it spears the air… that’s amazing. Although my hand gave up during the throws, I was still enjoying watching my fellow warriors skillfully digging the shuriken in the targets. We couldn’t wait for the nidan testing, which came right after, for our one and only shidoshi ho Marko, who did a fine job. I must confess, even though I was trying to keep myself in order, after the first applause my tears came rolling down as the river Zhivusha. My heart was full. I might know him for a short while, but believe me, it’s a pleasure and an honor to know such a man, who leaves his heart and soul in the dojo every Tuesday and Thursday. Once more I congratulate and I wish him a chain of successes in his future and an even greater walk along the Path to the Sun (Taiyou e no Michi). The night featured an interesting documentary, and right after that shidoshi ho Zoki honored us with his humorous jokes – as a good night. I claim that sleeping there on the tatami is the best sleep I’ve ever had, but this time it was even better. The morning we were all ready with the spears in our hands rushing to „Slepo Kolo“. Although we felt all four seasons of the year, we kept the same warrior spirit while practicing the techniques non-stop. The spear is an interesting weapon that can be used to manipulate your opponent, and we were manipulating the time as well. And the best of all moments is the shared meal with the ‘Bujinkan Macedonia’ family. Even if you were eating a plain bread paired with salt, you would have had the best time because the atmosphere makes everything seem magical.
To get to the point, I would like to thank Sensei, who made this spiritual beauty and his knowledge available to us. Also, shidoshi ho Marko and shidoshi ho Zoki that always help us. I really feel happy being a part of this family. Love to everybody“. – Tamara Gjorgievska

„Shurinken Jutsu“ in the Hombu Dojo of Bujikan Macedonia

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Divided in two group of eight people, the members of Bujinkan Macedonia had the opportunity on Saturday to improve their throwing shuriken skills. The two targets that were set up in the yard of the Hombu Dojo were completely holed up by the powerful throws of our warriors.
Beside the veterans from the advanced group, this time many members from the „beginner“ group took part, as well as four kids from the „Ninja Kids“ section.
The seminar started at 10:00 o’clock with the basic throwing technique „Gyaku Nage“, and soon afterwards followed another six techniques that the participants had the chance to try during the whole day.
During this event we used senban and iga (shaken) shuriken, as well as juji shuriken from the school Yagyu Shinkage ryu.
Due to the injury of the right arm and the torn shoulder ligaments, the instructor Igor Dovezenski was teaching by throwing the blades with his left arm, and the senior members of the dojo could demonstrate the shown technique with its full force.
Naturally, the great interest gives us the right to keep organizing this seminar at least once during the year.

The Strenght of the Yari VII

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Here we go, for the seventh time with the traditional seminar titled „The Strenght of the Yari“. Another opportunity for all members of Bujinkan Macedonia to repeat and learn the techniques for a spear combat and to feel the spirit of the past at the same time.
This event attracts a great number of participants every year, so we have а reason to believe that this time too the hill Orljak will be filled with the echoes of the war screams of the warriors of Bujinkan Macedonia.

„The Shinden Fudo ryu Dakentaijutsu school uses the following weapons: Yari (spear), Ono (war axe), O Tsuchi (a big hammer), and Naginata. The legend says that one night a demon (Tengu) came to the dream of the founder of the art and taught him how to fight with a Yari. These techniques are considered even today as the school’s biggest secret.“

On this seminar all interested students of the dojo of Bujinkan Macedonia / Taiyou e no Michi can participate, regardless of their experience or title.
Required equipment for training: bokuto and yari (hakama for yudanshi)
Theme: The Strenght of the Yari
Date: 27.03.2016 (Sunday)
Location: Slepo Kolo
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
10.00 – 16.00 o’clock – theory and practice
17.00 o’clock – return
The previous day (Saturday), a shuriken jutsu training will be held at the Hombu Dojo of Taiyou e no Michi for all interested.
At 16.00 o’clock there is going to be a nidan testing for shidoshi ho Marko Opachikj.
Applying and information via inbox, phone, or on the Forum.

The third seminar for Haragei successfully held

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This Sunday the instructor of Bujinkan Macedonia – Igor Dovezenski, held the seminar for Haragei for the third time. On this event the members of the dojo had the opportunity to study the esotheric aspects of ninjutsu, in other words, to establish a contact with the nature via various breathing techniques, meditation, and using the senses. The goal is to get to know one’s self and to increase our consciousness about the surroundings.

Immediately after the seminar, the members of Bujinkan Macedonia shared their impressions on our internal Forum.

Sanja Simonova – „Haragei for the second time. And every next seminar I would apply again. Sensei ‘opened’ the seminar introducing us with the meaning of haragei and gave us a detailed explanation how to harmonize our body’s energy through our breathing. If we take into consideration the fact that we couldn’t go on for a long time without breathing, the air would be our primary ‘food’. On the seminar we studied exactly that – how to use all of the available capacity. ‘Breathing with the stomach’ is a really powerful technique that calms the body and powers down the mind. In the exercises for increasing the reaction speed, we can feel how through the correct breathing the body relaxes and the reaction is faster and more precise. I really liked those meditative and visualization exercises. Especially the eight-sided. I believe that by practicing this we move our limits, our mental frames that we exist in every day, and that is really important for us – to keep raising our standards toward a continuous improvement. The day was good, we had a beautiful sunset, a great company, and we had circled another very special seminar where we learned new and repeated some techniques that are important for our future development. Mastering the knowledge that Sensei transmitted us on Haragei would be helpful to tackle the remaining knowledge that we are going to acquire in Taiyou e no Michi.“

Taki Gakovski – „I would like to say that the uke’s intention is really important. And I finally understood that intuition you suppose to feel when a sword is going straight for your head is still a science fiction to me. It is too far from the place I’m currently at. But that doesn’t disappoint me, on the contrary, it motivates me to overcome all the obstacles. We need to learn and get better all the time. The seminars could only be experienced, because many moments and events are hard to be described. Sensei, I thank you for everything“.
Marko Opachikj – „On the first seminar we were just getting acquainted with the exercises that were being taught. We got something, the rest wasn’t clear and we were left wondering until the next event. The second seminar we already had a feeling of connection with the techniques, like we were getting deeper, but there was still a barrier that kept us from executing them fully. Already on the third, we started to feel like we were becoming a part of them. Sensei as always treated us with some new exercises, that I honestly really liked and they opened a whole set of new questions for the next event. On the beginning he followed with a great kuden for Haragei, and afterwards he explained in details the way to breathe correctly that we all should be implementing, especially if we were practicing koryu. Of course, a great thanks to Sensei who honored us with new skills and unforgettable moments from the world of the classical Japanese martial arts“.

Haragei III - outdoor seminar

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Hara (腹) is a Japanese term for a stomach, and Gei (芸) means art. However, in the martial arts this word bears another meaning, one of an inner and outer communication through discovering one’s self and the changes happening around us in due time. Zen teachers taught centuries ago that breathing with the Hara (stomach) clears the mind from any thoughts and enables a deep view in the inner self. Exactly that insight of the inner and outer changes is believed to grant the warrior a chance to recognize the danger and react to it at the same time. The famous zen monk, Takuan Soho, called this type of training for cultivation the inner energy an „exercise for the immovable mind“.

Imagine a situation, You and Your opponent are two meters apart with pointed katanas at each other’s hearts. The tension increases and only one untimely breath or one blink of an eye could separate you from life and death. To recognize the attack, to feel the moment when you should react is the key.

This year, for the third time, the instructor Igor Dovezenski is going to teach his students how to increase their awareness, and with that how to better their martial skills.

Date: 28.02.2016 (Sunday)

Location: Elenac

Program:

08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje

09.00 o’clock – arrival

09.00 – 16.00 o’clock – theory and practice

17.00 – return

This seminar is open only for the members of Taiyou e no Michi, but you could participate only with a recommendation from a person that nurtures friendly relations with our dojo. Questions and applying on e-mail, by phone, in the dojo, or on the Forum.

Winter Ninja Training - Means for Survival in the Wilderness VI held

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The past weekend we held our first seminar in the new 2016. The participants shared their impressions on our Forum after the end of the event, and with that wrote this Report.

„Each of our ‘koryu adventures’ has its story. Firstly, I would like to say I’m really happy to continue this seminar’s tradition with a fair number of participants, always more than ten. I’m especially glad that the beginners started to show interest too. Kosarche participated the event too, who started following the Path and with the help of Taki’s lessons found her way easily in the group.
Although some of the things we study are repeated every time, every year we need to be reminded of the lessons so we could better our techniques. This time Sensei presented the task of building the shelter to me. After I gathered everybody and explained what they were needed to do, we started working. Even though I thing we did a good job with the hut, I have two remarks. We were too loud while laughing and talking, and secondly, we were too slow building the shelter.
I would like to mention the new things we studied: how to prepare fried eggs, how to roast a pumpkin in the ground, different ways to keep the fireplace burning, how to make a door for the shelter to be protected from animals, how to keep our equipment dry from snow and rain, as well as other things Sensei mentioned during his lecture.“ (Marko Opachikj)
„We drank directly from the source and learned useful ‘tricks’ on how to survive in winter conditions. We did that directly instead of watching all kinds of videos on the internet 🙂
I have watched a thousand times on TV how to build a shelter to spend the night, but everything goes in vain until a man really sees how it’s done. I was glad that we were gathered on one place and I can’t wait the summer version of this seminar. Who knew that lilies could be so soft and comfortable, and the ‘snake salty snacks’ could be so delicious!“ (Martin Petrevski)
„When I was little I really wanted to run around in the woods and build shelters. That’s why I find this seminar, along with the „Life in The Wilderness“, to be great. And that’s why I say that Bujinkan Macedonia makes my childhood dreams a reality.“ (Taki Gakovski)
„Understanding, warmth, love and laughter was spreading through the air during the whole event. I must mention the most delicious salty snacks roasted on a wooden stick that Sensei made, as well as the super vitamin roasted pumpkin. Unfortunately the day ended and we had to return home. I await the next outdoor seminar impatiently. Thank You for everything Sensei!“ (Tamara Gjorgievska)

„I’ve eaten two hundred pumpkins, and from various sources I’ve heard that I am a big one too, but so far not one stayed in my mind that long as that one dug from the ground. Maybe because of the constant thought that I will be eaten by wolves, but this was a day to be remembered. I didn’t doubt Sensei’s experience and knowledge for a bit, neither the elder students from the dojo that are well trained for these kinds of seminars. I only doubted my ability to learn something, or that I would be something more that a big crutch for the others. Sensei proved that his purpose is not ‘archiving’ the knowledge for his own good, but putting it to our disposal, as long as we are willing to learn.“ (Damjan Serafimovski)
„During this seminar I learned a lot of things, I especially liked the socializing with the older members of the dojo. I was really impressed of the preparation of the egg in a can, as well as the roasting of the pumpkin dug in the ground. It was great to be part of this kind of an event.“ (Kosara Dovezenska)

Winter Ninja Training - Means for Survival in the Wilderness VI

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In 2015 the members of Bujinkan Macedonia passed through many adventures that made the year unforgettable. The amazing journey continues in 2016, and the first destination is Mlaka. This forest on the bank of the river Kriva Reka will again be the place where our warriors will learn and better the techniques of winter survival. The snow that has piled up these recent days, along with the low temperatures, is a great challenge for an event like this.

As you already know, the warriors of Bujinkan Macedonia always considered that training solely in dojo,where a safe and friendly atmosphere surrounds us, can make anybody a good „sportsperson“, and a great „lounge ninja“. However, what makes us different from the rest, is the knowledge and the confidence that we feel when we are confronted with the toughest dares while we are far away from the cities that we live in. Actually, we experience the cruel nature as a natural habitat where we feel as a „fish in water“, and we find ourselves in our natural surroundings.

This seminar is a scenario-based where we are snowbound or lost far away from our home, somewhere on a mountains or in the woods, and we need to take precautions to be able to go through the night and increase our chances of survival. On this event, shidoshi Igor Dovezenski is going to teach these exact techniques that represent the required arsenal for a more serious approach in the art known as ninjutsu. 
Required equipment: those we attended already know, those who hadn’t are going to find out directly for the next year.
Warning: the temperatures will most likely be below zero. The terrain is open and windy. The presence of wild animals is normal this period in the year. You will be exposed to extremely cold weather constantly for about seven hours. Everyone comes at their own responsibility.
Bring warm clothing with you.
Date: 10.01.2016 (Sunday)
Location: Mlaka
Program:
08.00 o’clock – departure from Skopje
09.00 o’clock – arrival
09.30 – 16.30 o’clock – theory and practice
17.30 o’clock – return
This year besides the members of Bujinkan Macedonia/Taiyou e no Michi, the seminar is open for all interested. Questions and applying by e-mail, phone, in the dojo, or on the Forum.

Report for 2015

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When we thought that the last year’s success with 19 held seminars wouldn’t be repeated, this year we literally surpassed all our expectations. Ladies and gentlemen – 29 seminars in 2015!!!
Let’s break this number down so you could see transparently exactly what we worked on this whole year.

We begin with the international seminars organized by the Organization „Taiyou e no Michi“.
In April, our teacher for Daito ryu Aikijujutsu, shihan Antonino Certa held his regular seminar in our dojo, where he transmitted new „secrets“ of this ancient samurai tradition. The next month Sensei Erik Louw arrived in the Hombu Dojo of „Taiyou e no Michi“, together with his students from the Netherlands. During his one week stay he tried to pass along as much as he could from his rich experience in Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu. Our friends from Romania, the members of the Shingan Dojo from Iasi, arrived for this seminar too.
During the summer we had our well-known Summer Camp, this time beside the instructor Dovezenski, his friend from Russia – Sergei Babkin had the role of a teacher too. Despite being an instructor for Katori Shinto ryu and for Yoga, Babkin is a representative in his country for the classical Japanese martial art Kukamishin ryu Hyoho too. We had the opportunity to study that art during this event. 

Regarding the seminars that instructor Dovezenski had taught, the list goes like this: six held outdoor seminars (in nature), eight in the Hombu Dojo under Lipac, same in the dojo in Skopje, as well as two in Romania in the dojo „Shingan“ in the city Iasi. Additionally, in 2015 Dovezenski took part in several international seminars under the leadership of well-known teachers for classical Japanese martial arts. We would mention them chronologically: in February in Athens (Greece) on a seminar for Katori Shinto ryu with Erik Louw; in June in Gradara (Italy) on a seminar for Ono ha Itto ryu Kenjutsu with Sasamori Takemi Soke; in September in Carigrad/Istanbul on a seminar with the shihan for Katori Shinto ryu – Nobutoshi Otake. On the last event Marko Opachikj and Darko Bozhinovski (who gave a blood oat (keppan)) accompanied Dovezenski. 

We would also like to express our pleasure for the established collaboration with the „Shingan Dojo“ from the city Iasi in Romania. Their leader Catalin Soreanu chose instructor Dovezenski as a sempai (an older student – mentor) who is going to help him with the study of the oldest traditional Japanese martial art Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu Bujutsu, under the leadership of their mentor Erik Louw. That being said, the members of the Romanian section visited Macedonia twice this year to learn the basics of the school, and in addition they invited Dovezenski two times to teach seminars in their dojo.
Besides the previous, it is worth mentioning these events too: sempai Todor Angelovski and kohai Martin Gachevski held a lecture for the kids in the kindergarten „Srnichka bambi“ in the municipality Aerodrom; we have opened another ninjutsu children’s section (Ninja Kids II); we have celebrated 20 years of the foundation of „Taiyou e no Michi“ and Bujinkan Macedonia; our youngest members from the kids group were guests at the Macedonian National Television where they successfully demonstrated the arts of Bujinkan, and later they visited our Hombu Dojo where they studied the school Koto ryu Koppojutsu, as well as the basics of Japanese sword-fighting; Igor Dovezenski earned second dan (nidan), and Marko Opachikj first dan (shodan) in Daito ryu Aikijujutsu.
We would like to highlight the founding of the „Eastern Cultures Laboratory“ as one of the most important events. On 14th of September with a proposition from Igor Dovezenski, the Expert Council of the Institute of ethnology and anthropology from the University „Ss. Cyril and Methodius“ decided to greenlight the Laboratory, with the sole purpose of studying the physical, social and spiritual culture of the nations of the far east, with a special emphasis on Japan. 

Various Workshops and Seminars on different subject are organized in the Laboratory, and the lecturer Dovezenski holds classes on a daily basis for Daito ryu Aikijujutsu and for Junan Taiso (exercises to stretch and balance the muscles of the body). With that, the classical Japanese martial arts rose to academical level in Macedonia and finally took their deserved place.
At the end we would like to thank all members of the Organization „Taiyou e no Michi“, especially our students from Bujinkan Macedonia who with their hard work took us to the wonderful journey around the world of the traditional Japanese martial traditions (Koryu Bujutsu). We cannot make a promise that the next year will surpass this one, but we can guarantee that as long as we breathe this air, our love for the classical arts inherited from the generations before us won’t be diminished.
Taiyou e no Michi. One dojo – one family. Bujinkan Macedonia. My story – my life.
Ninpo Ikkan!!!

Last Hanbo Goshinjutsu seminar for 2015 held

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With the yesterdays seminar on subject Hanbo Goshijutsu (self-defense using a short stick), we’ve almost finished our responsibilities from this years program of Bujinkan Macedonia.

Two regular training sessions remain, as well as the kyu testing that is happening on Wednesday (30th December).
This time for this seminar we are going to share the impressions of kohai Sanja Simonova written on our Forum:
„On my pleasure, we finished this years „book“ of seminars with the hanbo. My love for this weapon dates back when we trained on the wooden floors and I remember the pain that came along with it and the sound it made when it would hit the floor. Its beauty, in my opinion, is that it’s „hidden“ in many objects that we name otherwise: an umbrella, a walking cane, a trekking staff, a rolling pin…
As Sensei said, the hanbo is completely legal, we can carry it everywhere and anytime. To be able to wield this weapon is a great advantage. Firstly, because it is big enough to make enough damage to an aggressive attacker that doesn’t need to be visible to the eye, and at the same time it is small enough to „pack it“ and carry it around with us. The Hanbo is such a small, and at the same time a big thing.
We were eight on this seminar, and we’ve gone through eight kata – each one better than the previous one. At first I though that we would start off with the basic postures and forms that I’ve encountered before, however Sensei surprised us with specific scenarios for defense from various continuous strikes, grips to a part of the clothing, or, attempts to take away our weapon. The kata had „character“, as sempai Marko would have said. We could feel the explosive potential of the weapon, and the pain on contact was present at all times. That was the undeniable proof of its efficiency.
The atmosphere during the seminar was excellent and everyone did their best. The intensity of the training contributed to the change of color on the beginners’ faces, and for the older students it increased the stability, the speed, and the ease of use of the weapon. It’s a great feeling when you consider something known, and then you will discover a new move that makes a big difference and you will feel the enthusiasm from repeating a kata and the reveal of another of its hidden pearls, which in turn creates even greater hunger to keep going further!“

Igor Dovezenski held a seminar for Ninpo Ne Waza®

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The leader of Bujinkan Macedonia, Igor Dovezenski, organized another Sunday seminar in the dojo of Bujinkan Macedonia in Skopje. This time the subject was about martial techniques on the ground, i.e. Ne Waza.

Shidoshi Dovezenski selflessly shared his knowledge from this martial system during the event, and the students tirelessly absorbed all the details, while showing a huge degree of interest for the ground fighting combat methods. Most of the attendees were beginners, who approached learning this subject with genuine curiosity, while the experienced veterans gave their best getting the maximum out of them.
Besides the postures and means to control an opponent, Dovezenski taught choking techniques, as well as ways to control an aggressive attacker.
Happy with what they learned, the students at the seminar said that they would love to attend the next seminar dedicated to this subject.