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"IWAMA SHIN SHIN AIKI SHURENKAI" is a free International Organization founded by Kai-Cho Saito Hitohiro in Iwama on 21st February 2004. The aim of "SHIN SHIN AIKI JUKU" is to understand the ultimate principles of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, O-Sensei, His spirit and technique and to protect and spread the way of His teaching through the doctrine and method of Saito Morihiro Sensei. Anybody who wants to seriously study Japanese traditions and Budo can join the IWAMA SHIN SHIN AIKI SHURENKAI, to train the spirit, technique and body in a cooperative and friendly manner, to share Aikido for world peace.

On October, 2003 Hitohiro Saito successor of his father Morihiro Saito, declares that the Iwama group has decided to leave "The Aikikai Foundation", to become independent as the "IWAMA SHINSHIN AIKI SHURENKAI"

On 21st February 2004 it took place in Iwama the IWAMA SHINSHIN AIKI SHURENKAI Opening Ceremony.

On September 2004 Hitohiro Saito in an official Communicatio states the reasons for which the Iwama group left the "Aikikai Foundation".

The following explanations are taken from an enterview by Horst Schwieckerath to KAI-CHO SAITO HITOHIRO for the Aikido Journal on3/2004.

"I am going new ways to be able to tie up to O-Sensei's spirituality and heart."

SHIN SHIN - to believe in gods

"Since O-Sensei believed in gods, he started every morning with reading norito (prayers for the gods). Then he did cleaning and farming, afterwards he trained. In the evening he read again norito and trained. Then the day was over. By reading norito and praying, O-Sensei attained enlightenment. I use the name shinshin to ensure that we consider the value of the heart."

SHUREN - serious practice

"I want to continue the training O-Sensei gave to my father and me. My father fulfilled this task until he passed. Now I have to continue this heritage to teach interested Aikidoka in a serious daily practice. It was very important for O-Sensei to teach the basic forms every day and so did my father for decades. In Iwama we don't practice based on something we watched, we practise something which is defined very clearly in every single step. You can't learn this within one or two years, it takes a long time."

JUKU - school

"You shouldn't attach your heart too much to a place, a certain thing or money. You need money to live and you might have a good place and dojo, but you shouldn't be attached to it too much and fight on account of this. Keep your mind free and and don't become stiff. Last year I was able to leave a very important place, because I wasn't too much attached to it. To be able to continue walking on the path, you shouldn't be too much attached to things, otherwise there is no progression anymore."

NISSHIN GEPPO - daily progress

"You have to be patient an practice step by step. You should always feel like a beginner until the end of your life. This way to train always existed in Iwama. I will continue that and I will always keep it in mind when I practice with others."