Aikido Seminar with André Cognard Hanshi — London, 19–20 September 2026
Aikido Seminar with André Cognard Hanshi — London, 19–20 September 2026
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Kokusai Aikido Kenshukai Kobayashi Hirokazu Ryu (KAKKHR) is glad to announce a weekend seminar directed by André Cognard Shihan, 8th Dan, Soke of Kobayashi Ryu Aikido, at the DOJO space in London on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026.
This is the fourth edition of the London seminar, and a return to the DOJO space, where the series began in 2023.
"You must never defend, because if you defend you can be defeated."
André Cognard, Aikido Journal, 2018
About André Cognard Shihan
André Cognard approached the world of martial arts at a very young age, dedicating himself to the intensive practice of various traditional Japanese disciplines and very soon also to their teaching, opening five dojo at the age of seventeen. In 1974 he qualified as a French state teacher of Karate-do, Judo, Kendo and Aikido.
In 1973 he met Hirokazu Kobayashi Sensei (1929–1998), a direct uchi-deshi of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba from 1946 and the principal Kansai-region exponent of his teaching. Following this decisive event, André Cognard spent twenty-five years serving as a disciple, interpreter and uke of Kobayashi Sensei. At Kobayashi Sensei's request, Cognard Sensei founded the Académie Autonome d'Aikido Kobayashi Hirokazu in 1982, and was charged by him in 1998 with continuing the international transmission of the school.
He serves as Soke (head) of Kobayashi Ryu Aikido and holds the 8th Dan. In 2022 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays by the Japanese Government, in thanks for his efforts in promoting Aikido and friendly relations between Japan and France.
An "itinerant" teacher, a profound connoisseur of Japan and its traditions, André Cognard brings across the world: a technique, Aikido as learnt from his Teacher; a human message, Aikido at the service of all; a spiritual message, Aikido, like Man, is reunited with itself when it becomes simply Art.
Cognard Sensei is the author of more than a dozen books on the practice, ethics and philosophy of aikido and the martial arts, including Le corps conscient, Vivre sans ennemi, De la guerre à l'amour, and most recently Gouverner sans violence, guérir de la peur (2025).
About Kobayashi Ryu Aikido
Hirokazu Kobayashi Sensei entered Aikikai Hombu Dojo in 1946 with a recommendation letter from his karate teacher, aged 17, and trained as live-in deshi alongside Morihiro Saito. They shared the role of uke to O-Sensei, with Kobayashi Sensei following especially in the sword.
In 1964, at the age of 35, Kobayashi Sensei was awarded the 8th dan, an unusually high rank for someone of his age and experience solely in aikido. This rapid promotion reflected his incredible technical skill but also his disciplined, intense, and dedicated personality.
From 1970 to 1996 he travelled to Europe every year for five to six months, teaching across France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Poland and beyond. The body of his transmission (meguri or internal spiral contact, the absence of garde, the equality of uke and seme, and the integration of aiki-ken, aiki-jo and aiki-taijitsu) became known as Kobayashi Ryu.
遊魚動緑荷
yūgyo ryokka wo ugokasu
"Even a fish at play moves the lotus leaves."
It is the Kobayashi Ryu motto. A classical Chinese poetic image, attributed in Japanese tradition to Sakamoto Ryōma (1836–1867). Kobayashi Hirokazu Sensei adopted it as the spiritual emblem of his teaching.
It means: a small fish, simply by being itself and moving freely in its element, displaces the lotus leaves floating above. Power without force, presence over domination, small movement, large effect. The fish doesn't push the leaf; it lives, and the leaf moves.
On the mat this is the absence of garde, the equality of uke and seme, the integration of aiki-ken, aiki-jo and aiki-taijitsu. You don't impose technique on the partner; you reorganise yourself, and the partner's structure rearranges around you.
This motto will be the theme of the 2026 London seminar. Across the weekend, Cognard Shihan will work with us on what "moving without pushing" actually feels like in the body, across taijutsu, aiki-jo, aiki-ken, and aikishintaiso. The fish in the water, not the hand on the leaf.
Schedule
Saturday 19 September
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Registration |
| 10:00 – 12:45 | Morning session |
| 12:45 – 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 – 16:45 | Afternoon session |
Sunday 20 September
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Registration |
| 10:00 – 12:45 | Morning session |
Short breaks for water and rest are built in throughout each day.
Saturday evening: after the afternoon session, an optional social dinner at a nearby restaurant (venue to be confirmed). Please let us know in advance if you plan to join the dinner so we can book the right number of places.
Open to all
This seminar is open to all styles, all affiliations, and all levels of experience, including instructors, students, and youth.
Venue
the DOJO space
2a Doyle Gardens
London NW10 3DA
United Kingdom
Transport. Kensal Green Underground (Bakerloo, Overground), 8 min walk. Kensal Rise Overground, 9 min walk. Buses 52 and 252 stop on Okehampton Road, 6 min walk. On-street parking is free during the weekend.
Refreshments. A small café operates near the venue during the day. Water, fruit and dry fruit will be available during scheduled breaks.
Tickets & contact
Three ways to attend the weekend:
- Saturday: £60
- Sunday: £40
- Full Weekend: £80
Concessionary rates (under 25 with valid student ID, or under 18): £40 Saturday · £30 Sunday · £60 Full Weekend.
If you are bringing four or more practitioners from the same dojo, please write to us before booking and we will set up a group rate of £70 each.
Location
The Dojo Space, NW10 3DA