Rank:
6 dan, shidoin

Club function:
Founder, chief instructor and chairman

How long have you been training?
I started in 1974 at the Gothenburg Aikido Club when I was eight years old. My father Zeth Moberg was one of the leading figures at the club and started the children’s training, partly because he wanted me to join. After a few years break in my teens, I have trained more or less without a break since I was 15 years old. The Aikido world was very patriarchal when I was growing up. When Jan Bratt and I founded the Riai Aikido Dojo in 2003, one of our goals was to create a dojo where adults, youth and children would have access to high-quality training at their level. My involvement in children pedagogy, which has resulted in the Happy Aikido concept, also develops my own training.

The best thing about training:
It is magical how you can bow in to a workout, become one with the forms in full concentration, and then after the workout, be completely revitalized. The training really is for both body and soul. Then I love aikido itself for its own sake. Power and elegance in perfect combination.

Misc:
I first went to Iwama, Japan in 1988 when I was 22 years old. It was a profound experience for me to meet and train with Morihiro Saito Sensei. After that I learned Japanese (fairly well anyway) and became interested in Japan beyond aikido training. I have written three aikido books, educate our Young Leaders in a leadership program and have attended educations in sports injuries, leadership and Physical Literacy. I am the chairperson of the IAF (International Aikido Federation) working group for children and youth: “IAF Working Group for Children and Youth” in Europe where I work internationally to advance aikido for children and youth across national borders.

Rank:
6 dan, shidoin

Club function:
Founder, chief instructor and treasurer

How long have you been training?
After a short period of ju-jujutsu training under Kurt Durevall in the late 70’s, I started training aikido in 1981 at the Gothenburg Aikido Club. The aikido training in Gothenburg was characterized by a powerful aikido with a clear functional perspective, which suited me. I trained for Morihiro Saito sensei the first time in 1988 in Stockholm / Copenhagen to become a uchi-deshi in Iwama a couple of years later in 1990. Having the opportunity to train in O-sensei’s dojo under Morihiro Saito sensei’s management was a fantastic experience for me.

In 2003, I founded Riai Aikido Dojo, with Pia Moberg, to realize our ideas for a large dojo with traditional aikido training. An important challenge for us is how to handle a tradition without solidifying in memories of the past and at the same time build a strong and progressive movement culture. A key part for us at Riai is the dojo itself, and to give those who train the best conditions to study aikido in an environment which is welcoming, inclusive and safe. Another factor is that the quality of the training with us at Riai must be in absolute top class with both our instructors and guest instructors. A way for us to maintain our quality is to be accepting of other styles and good aikidokas, but also evaluative of our own methods and ideas about how we build quality around training. Something else of importance for us is to invite and train for different aikido teachers with a perspective on the aikido we perform, and to build social networks around the training both in Sweden and internationally. In our tradition, there is, through Saito sensei, an extensive documentation of O-sensei’s aikido. This documentation is available to support anyone who practices aikido, to be able to take part in the tradition themselves, which we strongly encourage.

The best thing about training?
I am still fascinated by the techniques as an expression of the underlying principles, which are applicable both on and off the mat. My view is the “system” aikido gradually becomes communicative to the practitioner on an individual and personal level, for me completely without any kind of metaphysical connection. By repetitively practicing certain basic pattern movements, I have access to a fantastic movement system, similar to a language or art form. Physical exercise is of course an important part, aikido is mainly practiced in the dojo. Since much of the training is done together with other people, it is often difficult to train without being really focused, and the experience of concentration and presence is a big part of the fascination for me.
Aikido is both an individual journey and a group journey. It means training companions who contribute to my development through perspectives on the training, and – the simplicity, all I need to do is to get myself to training.
The dojo’s entire operations are of great importance in creating a vibrant and relevant dojo. Contributing to ultimately changing the future of aikido is, of course, very satisfying, even if our efforts in the grand scheme of things are modest.
Aikido is a significant part of my life, both on and off the mat, which makes my life rich.

Misc:
Jan has completed the Swedish Budo and Martial Arts Association’s licensed training for group instructors and club instructors.

Rank:
4 Dan, shidoin

Club function:
Instructor and secretary, part of the local group

How long have you been training?
I began my Aikido journey in 1997 at the Gothenburg Aikido Club and moved to Riai when the club started in 2003.

The best thing about training?
To get into the dojo and be able to turn everything off outside and focus on the training.
It becomes almost a meditative feeling as focus and energy are the key words on the mat.

Misc:
I also instruct seniors, where balance and coordination is an important theme. Have undergone a licensed club instructor course.

Rank:
2 dan, fukushidoin

Club function:
Instructor, part of the local group

How long have you been training?
I started training aikido in 2000, first at the Stockholm Aikido Club and then at the Gothenburg Aikido Club. After that I took a break for a few years when my children were little. I train in the evenings and instruct Tuesday lunch.

The best thing about training?
I have trained other disciplines before, but with aikido it felt like I had found my home. Aikido has everything I like; throws, locks, timing and plenty of details. Aikido has so many levels, you think you have understood how a technique works and then discover there is so much more to learn.

Misc:
I often go to Lewis Bernaldo de Quiro’s camp and have attended the Fukushidoin training, MotoriQ course in Physical literacy and SISUs sports’ injury course.

Rank:
3 dan

Club function:
Instructor

How long have you been training?
I started training in 1985. (With a longer break.)

The best thing about training?
It is so incredibly varied and you can feel satisfied after.

Rank:
2 dan

Club function:
Instructor

How long have you been training?
I started training in 2004.

The best thing about training?
That you feel so good about it, both physically and mentally.

Misc:
I was uchideshi with Nemoto Sensei in Iwama, Japan in Christmas / Aug 2009. Have undergone the Swedish Budo and Martial Arts Association’s licensed training for group instructors.

Rank:
2 dan

Club function:
Instructor

How long have you been training?
I started training in January 2011.

The best thing about training?
The best thing about training for me is the satisfactions I have experienced in different layers: the development of physical strength and physical betterment in general; the development of mental strength (e.g. learning of mind concentration and relaxation at the same time through breathing techniques); and also the experience of kindness and friendship felt in our community. The art of this unique balance in Aikido between mind, body and spirit make it attractive to many, regardless of genders, young or old, physically strong or not-strong build, you will certainly find your own expression here if you put work and heart into it.

Misc:
Completed the training Sports injuries-emergency care and SB&K group instructor training. Responsible for the plants in the club room.

Rank:
2 dan

Club function:
Instructor

How long have you been training?
I started with aikido in February 2010.

The best thing about training?
We have a fantastic group of friends at Riai, who make me happy every session. Aikido training makes me more alert and stronger.

Misc:
I am the association’s internal auditor and part of the local group at the dojo.

Rank:
1 dan

Club function:
Instructor for group 4

How long have you been training?
I trained my first workout in 2010 when I was 11 years old. I was hooked from the first moment and have been hooked ever since.

The best thing about training?
That the training has no end. Every time I learn something new, three new questions come up, and I know that if, and only if, I continue to go to the sessions and make an effort, these new questions will be answered and in turn give rise to further thoughts.

The welcoming atmosphere in the dojo is invaluable. To have a place where you; are always greeted with a smile, are surrounded by people who are all passionate about a common interest, and help, support and challenge you to become – and be – the best version of yourself.

Rank:
1 dan

Club function:
Youth instructor for group 4, 13-15 years. Member of the board – responsible for marketing.

How long have you been training?
I started training in 2009 at Riai Aikido Dojo

The best thing about training?
It is exciting, developing and meditative. I become strong and focused, happy and full of energy. In aikido I become my best self and train myself to interact with others and I learn to understand myself. I benefit greatly from aikido in my professional life. In addition, I met my love through aikido.

Misc:
The initiator of our After Gi concept; soup and company one Friday a month after training. A perfect end to the week! I have completed SISU sports leadership training, basic course in MotoriQ physical literacy and Sports Injury course.

Rank:
3 kyu

Club function:
Instructor for children and youth groups

How long have you been training?
I have been practicing aikido since 2003, but took a break before I luckily started at Riai again in 2016.

The best thing about training?
Movement and training in all forms give me joy. Aikido is really multifaceted training, both for body and brain. Just when I think I have grasped something, I find the next step in my learning. Absolutely wonderful! In the children and youth groups, I contribute with a lot of mischief and play. We train a kind of budo, which offers a great opportunity for me to create joy and laughter on the mat. Together we have super fun, they challenge my ability to create a fun and developing environment, and I challenge them to take the next step in their development. Then, of course, I always make sure to get some of my favorite workout into the mix, brawl play – equal parts care and battle.

Misc:
Sometimes we have informal “mischief training” even for adults, that I initiated.

Rank:
1 kyu youth rank

Club function:
I help and train group 1 on Fridays, and I am responsible for the theater group.

How long have you been training?
I began training in 2012, and it was the best choice I’d made in my entire life. I hope to be able to continue training all my life.

The best thing about training?
For me, the best thing about the training is all the fantastic people I’ve met, and still meet to this day. At the club there is a wonderful inclusive culture and being respectful of everyone, which allows you to make wonderful friends of all ages. I can’t think of a group that I have had more fun moments with.
Another thing which should be mentioned is the feeling of being powerful in training. In the outside world, we often see people who are powerful in an unpleasant and aggressive way, with the aim of being “the strongest.” It’s, so to speak, not so nice. At the dojo, on the other hand, we are powerful together, in a respectful way.
Of course, being a leader, and meeting the children on Fridays, is the highlight of the week. Being a role model for someone is a wonderful feeling that everyone should experience.

Misc:
I am in the theater group, and responsible for us meeting and planning. I have also taken Riai’s young leadership course, a sports injury course, a film course and a physical literature course on Bosön.