by Loïc Delalande
It was a wonderful experience to travel to London at the invitation of Rachel Sensei and her fantastic team. The British seminar took place from April 24th to 26th, 2026, in the heart of the historic city center, where about thirty practitioners of various nationalities gathered.
The training focused exclusively on the fundamental techniques of shikake oji on Friday evening and Sunday morning. A significant amount of work was done in full armor on Saturday, and a special jigeiko training session, short but intense, was held at the beginning of Sunday morning’s class to allow everyone to fully grasp the technical concepts covered the previous day.
Everyone stayed focused and remained motivated. I observed a wide range of technical levels, but also a tremendous desire to excel and a tenacity in achieving individual and group goals. I tried to provide the necessary feedback for everyone’s progress with tact and great enthusiasm. I discovered a very engaged British naginata community, attentive and eager to learn with genuine enthusiasm.
I enjoyed seeing the individual work of the 18 practitioners who took the kyu grading test. All of them passed. The warm welcome was also a highlight, thanks to Rachel and everyone involved in organizing this wonderful London seminar, especially Desmond and Emöke, who kindly took care of me and showed me around the beautiful Westminster Abbey, and introduced me to authentic fish and chips at the Westminster Pub. Thank you all, thank you to Rachel HM sensei for her generous invitation and seminar organisation with her dojo sempai and thanks also to Charlotte sensei, whom I was delighted to see again, and for her help during the seminar as a partner to demonstrate with.
