Our Dojo started its way in 1988, since then we have grown day by day, doing many activities and organizing many events, the most important was in May 1995, when we were able to count with the great honour of organizing the 1st Aikido International Congress lead by Hikitsuchi Michio Sensei the only 10º dan given by the founder, M.Ueshiba. This was an exceptional experience that we will never forget and, furthermore, after receiving numerous congratulations from those who attended congress, creating is a precedent that many others followed afterwards in the organisation of their own congresses.

The idea of the Dojo was the answer to the necessity of being able to devote all my time and efforts to the search for the Aikido of O Sensei,; after having practiced for over 20 years, I had reached a point where the Aikido I practised and the words and message of O Sensei did not seem to agree, there was something missing. Due to this I started looking for a teacher who I did not know, with the hope of finding a solution for my inner crisis in the world of Aikido, and via a co-practitioner I contacted Gerard Blaize Sensei 6th dan (at that time), who agreed to teach a course at the C.A.M; it was a really interesting and unique course which shattered all my ideas, The edifice created by my Aikido practice and the formation I had received up to then fell apart in a matter of seconds, reaching the point where I had no answer at all when I was finally asked what I thought about it all. The only thing I was able to say, and now I know it was the best choice I could have made: “I have understood nothing, everything I believed in has fallen apart, but there is something, I don’t not know what so I’ll organize another course and see what happens”.

So this way, I kept on organising and attending Gerard Blaize sensei’s courses up to 2008 when I decided that it was time to leave him and look for my own place.

I remember that it was very hard, it was a difficult time since being the teacher, it seemed that I couldn’t do anything right, I asked my pupils to be very rigorous and demanding with me with the goal of learning this new way of training, many of my oldest pupils were not prepared for that change and went away. I had to start from zero, but as time went by, I went on evolving with this new Aikido rebirth, and so did the group of practitioners and what is most important they were learning much faster and in better conditions than I had ever known before; their techniques were spot on, their bodies had become much gentler, and their sensitivity and responsiveness were incredible; the new group was consolidated.

Around 1992 we decided to go to Paris to the course which my teacher organized, where he brought Hikitsuchi Michio sensei 10th dan, I barely knew of his existence, but I will never forget this experience. If I had recovered my illusion and joy thanks to the teaching of Gerard sensei, when I met Hikitsuchi sensei, I knew immediately that he was my sensei, I could feel the presence of a great sensei in him, the strength of his words, his way of teaching, his techniques, in fact, everything about him was so exciting that I remember such strong emotions within me, it was fantastic. I felt as if I had always known that we had to meet, and there I finally met him. I was his Uke for first time, my worries of being up to being his Uke, was only surpassed by his gentleness and smile all the time. During this first course, my experience of this sensei was so extraordinary that it changed me forever. I finally had an experience of Ki, it was something so beautiful, that it will stay with me forever. I realized then with great sadness that without a Ki experience, it is not possible to understand what Aikido really is.

In this way, we continued practicing diligently the teaching we received from Hikitsuchi sensei, and we continued to attend the courses the following years which were taught in Paris. I even attended extra courses, since after the official course; he liked to give another course only for group teachers. So during one of this courses the unexpected occurred, Hikitsuchi sensei told me that he would be pleased to come to my home whenever I wanted; it goes without saying that my teacher Gerard Blaize had an important role from the beginning on the possibility of organising a course in Palma de Mallorca.

So we then started to organise the 1st International Aikido Congress given by Hikitsuchi Michio sensei, the only 10thº dan given by the founder himself alive. The event took place in May 1995 and in Calvià (Mallorca).

This was an extraordinary congress where another important aspect came into the open. During the meals some of the teachers (from Ibiza) who had attended the course had really liked Hikitsuchi sensei but they felt some reticence towards Gerard sensei. I tried to explain to them that he was an extraordinary teacher, and I was sure the if they knew him better they would like him, but it turned out that they invited me to go to Ibiza , which I am really grateful for, and I went there for some time, I gave them my all with the hope of preparing them for the way towards the Aikido of Gerard sensei and Hikitsuchi sensei. I made it at last and an important group was created and I decided that it was time that Gerard Blaize gave a course in Ibiza, which turned out to be a great success. So we now had another group following a similar path in one of the other islands. As time went by they realized that I was not necessary as they established direct communications with Gerard sensei, who continues to give courses in Ibiza. Although I am not needed any more, I still feel happy since I have played a an important role in making this happen and our relationship is acceptable.

Our Dojo went on and we were able to organise the II International Aikido Congress given by Hikitsuchi sensei, this time in the city of Palma. It was another high success, which was crowned with the luck of counting with a special class of Hikitsuchi for my pupils and myself in our Dojo (CAM, Centro Aikido Mallorca). It was a unique experience which will stay in the memories for the years to come.

The Dojo has continued to work hard with spectacular results and a great number of practitioners, both young and adult; with a wide range of timetables and many Aikido teachers, all them with a high level and officially titled(instructor, regional trainer and national master) to give lessons and grades).

In 2008, and already outside Gerard Blaize sensei's group, I travelled to Japan with the hope of finding an answer, and I must say that not only did I find one but I also reencountered my place at the Dojo of Kumano of Hikitsuchi sensei, just as it could not have been in any other way. . The trust they have put in me has given me enough power to, as a delegate of Kumano Juku, create the Kumano Juku Spain group to receive the spirit of Hikitsuchi sensei and continue his path, to advance in the search of the Aikido from Ueshiba Kaiso, just as Hikitsuchi Michio sensei taught us. And supporting such a special Dojo as Kumano Juku and its senseis, as it is our present teacher Anno Motomichi sensei 8th dan given by the founder himself. I must also mention Ine sensei who was so kind to me and the pupils who came with me to Japan.

We are now just starting another exciting stage for me, in which my efforts and energies will be focused on developing the message that Anno sensei told me personally "please promote this Aikido" just after meeting and introducing him our work with ONG "Aikido por la Paz". So here we will continue our study and sharing it with all those who wish to come to our Dojo, which will celebrate its 21st anniversary this year.

Our Dojo evolves with us and as time goes by, so this page will grow along with our our search for O Sensei’s Aikido, thanks to the path shown to us by Hikitsuchi sensei , and our work for the development of Aikido for peace as the true spirit in which the founder M.Ueshiba created Aikido.

Diego Espinosa Roca
Director Técnico del Dojo C.A.M
Entrenador Regional
5º Dan Aikikai
5º Dan Fejyda