As students from Aikido dojos around the world begin to converge on Seremban, Malaysia for the third annual Uchi Deshi Gasshuku, it’s a fitting moment to look back at what students carried away from the very first UDG in 2024.
For the uninitiated, the Uchi Deshi Gasshuku is not a retreat in any conventional sense—it’s twelve straight days of traditional live-in training, with four to six hours of hard training daily alongside the chores, discipline, and communal living that come with the “uchi deshi” (live-in student) way of learning Aikido. The format is deliberately unforgiving: repetition until technique becomes instinct, fatigue used as a teacher rather than an obstacle, and each participant pushed past the point where they’d normally stop. And yet, as the reflections below make clear, the biggest takeaway isn’t really about individual toughness at all. Time and again, students point to the same lesson—that strength multiplies when it’s shared, and that resilience runs far deeper when you’ve got a support team beside you in the trenches.
For a more in depth look at the Uchideshi Gasshuku, see the youtube documentary series here: youtube@uchideshi
Mark Hadiarja (6th Dan) from Indonesia
High point: Sleeping in between classes.
Low point: Seeing Rowan in a women’s one-piece swimsuit.
Biggest lesson: Rowan doesn’t look good in women’s one-piece swimsuit.
Rafal Rzepus (4th Dan) from Poland
High point: Being part of the last Gasshuku was just one two-weeks-long, magnificent moment. Sharing space on and off the mat with the best people and being motivated and pushed to action by an outstanding teacher. Unforgettable.
Low point: The absolute worst time was when I stabbed Mark Sensei in his face with a tanto and thought I had just taken out his eye. Fortunately, it ended with a character enhancing scar.
Biggest lesson: That trip was a challenge in many ways. The Gasshuku confirmed my belief that everything is possible. Everyone has their own path of Aiki, but with the right people, with the right leader, itis much easier to follow it. The best summary of these two weeks was the Uchideshi group after 2 days of seminar in Kuala Lumpur standing in the corner of the hall. Satisfied, fresh, eagerly waiting for more training, looking at the other exhausted participants of the seminar. We were not better. We were better prepared. For me personally, it is also a new perspective on the main kanji hanging in my dojo: Masakatsu Agatsu-true victory is victory over oneself. Osu!
Marcin Wójcik (4th Dan) from Poland
High point: Sitting and letting the body rest, drinking1-2 litres of sports drink or coke after the class, feeling how the cold drink is cooling the body from inside. Going for the next class knowing, that despite difficulties I have survived the previous one so I will survive another one no matter what. Public demonstration, something we have drilled lots of times in pain and sweat, knowing everyone is giving120% and we’re like a well-oiled machine-especially after the demo the feeling was very positive.
Low point: When the knee problem got worse, there was an impossible choice-get easier on the knee in order to preserve it till the end or push to the limit and risk being eliminated by the injury. Finding that balance, how to push and don’t cause worse injury was very hard. Injury would mean failing myself, failing Sensei, failing my training partner and the whole group.
Biggest lesson: We cannot survive for long as an individual in such harsh training conditions. We need to help each other, support each other, push the partner when it is needed and let ourselves be pushed, and helped. The spirit of this batch was very high, and it would be much harder to survive without my partner and great people like Rowan, Suresh or Mark Sensei who would push everyone to do their best. Under such pressure I’ve once again learned that my limits are much further than I thought, but once again, without the instructors who pushed us beyond those limits we would never have had the opportunity to learn that. So, I’m thankful for once again moving my limits and making me a better aikidoka and person.
Noveen Mannath (4th Dan) from Malaysia
High point: The bond we forged, on and off the mats, was the high point of the whole experience. Together we persevered, supporting one another through every challenge.
Low point: The training was intense, and my persistent bad knee was a constant challenge, testing my limits every single day.
Biggest lesson: My biggest takeaway is the responsibility to carry forward what I’ve learned. It’s not just about personal growth; it’s about finding ways pass on the lessons, camaraderie, and spirit of perseverance to others. OSU!
Jan ‘Honza’ Kubovy (4th Dan) from Czech
Highpoint: The strongest moments were when the fatigue started to show and everyone was supporting and heckling each other. It helped me push the imaginary boundary. Best time = best team.
Low point: It was the last day I went to training with a fever and 2 aspirin and Ondra Sensei took me to the dressing room when I collapsed in training, when I realized what had happened, the worst feeling was that I would not be allowed to continue and I would have to sit on the chairs prepared for the renegades.
Biggest lesson: It was that “feeling”-respect, humility, being a part the spirit of the group, the spirit of Shudokan. Learn from the best.
Martin Pohl (4th Dan) from Czech
High point: Methodical practice of koshinage. Total mutual support of each participant for the successful completion of each training.
Low point: Leg injury. Unfortunately, the injury limited the performance of some exercises. I did not want to become a brake and influence the course of the entire UDG.
Biggest lesson: How easily and effortlessly I manage to perform the techniques after returning compared to before the UDG.
Koh Soon Kim (3rd Dan) from Hong Kong
High point: One of the high points was that I noticed our camaraderie and friendship grew stronger throughout the program and we were able to support each other (more others supporting me instead, to be honest) when faced with difficult challenges. I understand now that you don’t have to be alone and you can achieve much more together as a team.
Low point: The hardest part for me was probably on day 5 or 6, trying to get up in the morning to repeat the day of training and chores with the physical and mental exhaustion, only to notice that we are only halfway through. I still remember Ramlan Sensei’s words “think about what you are going to do next after this program”, somehow that kept me going.
Biggest lesson: The biggest lesson I had was realizing that my current limit stems from my fear of failure. Now that I know this, I will strive to break this and hopefully move forward.
Suresh Krishnamoorthy (2nd Dan) from Singapore
High point: Being smashed by Honza, getting back up, and unleashing a guttural challenge to go again.
Low point: Being assigned the responsibility of creating an arts and craft project. Without materials, inspiration or a single iota of creative artistic ability.
Biggest lesson: The spirit Shudokan carries is not something easily developed, and yet without care, may disappear like smoke in the wind. Find and choose a teacher, or teachers, able to develop that desire in you. In the course of training, learn about them, their stories, motivation and struggles. Try to see them for who they are in totality. Try to do the same for your peers, your juniors and perhaps one day, your students.
Rowan Garton (2nd Dan) from the UK
High point: Having the opportunity to train every day at a high intensity with high level people. Creating a family-like bond and being part of something special.
Low point: Feeling like I could have done better during the demonstration.
Biggest lesson: Don’t wear Olga’s swimsuit again.
Mateusz Adamek (2nd Dan) from Poland
High point: The strong spirit during training sessions, when the whole group started shouting and motivating each other, and the opportunity to engrave “Aikido Shudokan” on bokkens, tantos, or even a table. (I had a lot of fun during this task).
Low point: Being sick for two days. I didn’t want to show weakness or make anyone feel sorry for me. Because of this it was hard but fortunately I recovered quickly.
Biggest lesson: The biggest lesson is that I am able to do more than I think I can and the gasshuku proved this to me. If I’m surrounded by the right people, who share the same goal as I do, they motivate me, and because of that, I can push more and more.
Dominik Tokaj (2nd Dan) from Poland
High point: Supporting each other in difficult times.
Low point: Additional exercises after the classes.
Biggest lesson: Breaking own barriers in my mind. Showing that everything is possible.
Adrian Fillardo (1stDan) from Australia
High point: The opportunity to train with the likes of Mark, Rafal, Noveen, Marcin, who are all sensei in their own right. That’s an experience that money can’t buy.
Low point: Knowing you have to keep going when you want to quit. Passing out and then having to get up and finish the class and then do another class was one of the hardest things I had to do. It’s changed my way of thinking and looking at training.
Biggest lesson: I always wanted to know what it was like living in a dojo and I’ve had that now.
Dallas McKenzie (1stDan) from Australia
High point: Dominik entangling himself in door curtains when we were all waiting for him for a team meeting.
Low point: Being blamed for putting the bananas in the fridge.
Biggest lesson: You can achieve anything if you help each other out and Malaysians do not put bananas in the fridge.
Olga Slivinska (1stDan) from Australia
High point: Every single minute of the Gasshuku except from the below.
Low point: Watching Mark Sensei hiking with his big bag was painful.
Biggest lesson: Only by supporting each other can you achieve your goal as a united team without losses.
Joe Thambu Shuseki Shihan
High point: Watching everyone do the demonstration was a high point. To see everyone finish what they started under trying circumstances. Full credit goes to everyone’s determination both individually and as a group.
Low point: Kim’s coffee and watching everyone try to dance after the demonstration
