The weekend began very early on Saturday morning at Cleeve House where the majority of the attendees met up. At this point no-one knew exactly where they were going or what they would be doing. The only information that they had up to this point was what to bring, and how long they would be away. Each person had a kit list of everything that they would need to survive for two days and one night out in the woods. All of this they had to be able to carry on their backs.

We then set off for the rendezvous point to meet up with the other participants who had driven down from the North of England.  By 08:30 everyone had met up and we moved to the drop off location in Wentwood Forest (the largest ancient woodland site in Wales) for the final briefing and to leave the cars, and our normal lives behind for the weekend.  Matt gave everyone a safety brief and an inkling into what the weekend would entail.  It was going to be a new experience for many of the participants who had not slept under the stars before.  There were to be no tents, only poncho’s so it was going to be as close to nature as possible without creating survival shelters.  Everyone at some point was going to experience the, ‘comfort, stretch, panic cycle’ and Matt explained what this would mean and why it was important.  Matt distributed the Army style 24 hour ration packs, divided the group into two and gave people their first shock.  Using a map and compass, everyone was going to have a go at navigation!  A short training session in basic navigation followed before the group headed off for the first checkpoint at the top of Gray hill, the highest hill in the area.

Each of the navigators, one for each team, managed to get to the right location and on a glorious sunny September morning, with a beautiful backdrop, we had the first training session in applied aikido techniques.  The hour passed very quickly and soon we were onto the next checkpoint.  New navigators and check navigators were nominated and we set off.  Mid way to the next checkpoint we stopped at a small stream and had lunch in the woods.  Everyone learnt how to use the army issue hexamine cookers and made themselves a small hot meal, miraculously without any injuries!

When we arrived at checkpoint two we had a water break and Matt gave a lesson on safe and effective cutting techniques and the use of knives.  After putting this into practice making some tent pegs, everyone was sent off to make their own staff for the second lesson – Jo techniques.  Again the hour went by very quickly and we then set off with different navigators for the bivvi site.  We stopped just outside the site and everyone had a well earned rest while Matt took two people from each team into the bivvi area to show them the layout.  These pairs were to act as guides to bring in the rest of the teams in a smooth and coordinated fashion.

Once everyone was in the bivvi site and allocated their areas, Matt gave a lesson on preparing your sleeping area and setting up your poncho and sleeping system.  While this was being done Matt went off to recce a suitable bathing area in the local stream!  Bathing was done in two shifts, ladies and then gents.  It had been a beautifully sunny day and so the river rather than being cold was wonderfully refreshing, the experience being enjoyed by all.  Once everyone was finished we all gathered to eat the evening meal and Matt introduced everyone to the joys of ‘boil in the bag’ meals.  After the communal dinner and reminisces about the day so far, the first part of the evening entertainment began.  Each team had been given the instruction in the morning brief to prepare a skit or small play.  It had to involve everyone in the team, some Aikido and something that had been learnt during the day.  We got a very safe fire going in a clear area by a stream and the entertainment began.  A bottle of red wine awaited the winning team!  By the closest of margins (and because they didn’t make fun of Matt) the girls won and in a very game spirit passed the wine around to be shared by all.  Another (larger) vessel of wine had been bought along by another participant who was also generous enough to pass it around. 

The next three hours passed with introductions around the campfire (many of the participants did not know each other) where lots of hidden talents were revealed in a very open evening.  I have often found that there is something magical about a camp fire.  For millennia we have gathered around them for community, protection, warmth and food and something in them calls to our primeval nature.  I think that everyone that night experienced something quite special. 

The next morning we were up at dawn and began our day much as O’Sensei, the founder of Aikido, would have with a meditation session, an Aikido session, then a bath and breakfast.  The meditation session was especially memorable.  We were sat on a slope overlooking a stream at the bottom of the valley.  Steam was rising off the water, the birds were just coming alive with song and the sun was rising over the hill on the other side.  Without being too poetic, it was an unforgettable experience.  Another unforgettable experience was the morning bath for the girls.  In the middle of bathing they were startled by the presence of the farmer leaning over the gate and asking if they needed any assistance!  After assuring him that they were ok he went on his way.

Once everyone was finished we packed our kit, made sure that we had left as little trace as possible that we had ever been there and the grid reference of the next checkpoint was given.  Despite the late night and early morning, everyone was charged with energy and we made good progress to the next checkpoint, even stopping for some conditioning exercises along the way.

The next and final Aikido lesson was conducted just off a path in the woods and was excellent training as it really made people look at their balance, foot placement and overall awareness.  We also did some striking exercises against trees demonstrating the effectiveness of some strikes in protecting your hands during a confrontation.

The final leg was back to the cars and on this leg the navigators were made to go cross-country, staying off the paths and only using a compass bearing for direction.  This made things much more strenuous mentally and physically as people had to concentrate hard over very uneven terrain.  The girls team found a quick route (which may have involved a path!) and made good progress getting back to the car park first.

Once back in the car park Matt introduced people to the final event of the weekend, the trust falls.  This involved letting yourself fall backwards from a height into the waiting arms of the rest of the team.  This proved to be very challenging for some, but everybody completed it and the support was there for all.  With the course finished it was time for the final debrief and then a wonderful sit down meal at a local pub.  It was amazing how much this was appreciated after less than 48 hours away from our normal creature comforts.

I think that everyone took different things from the course and I have included some comments below.  For me as the organiser I would just like to say a huge thank you to all who came for their energy and enthusiasm.  I also have to guiltily admit to possibly enjoying the course more than the participants.  There is something incredibly liberating for me in immersing yourself in nature and it reminds me of the Henry David Thoreau Quote: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Here are some quotes from the course participants:

“In terms of activities, the outdoor Aikido was superb, Meditation with like minded souls, as the Sun rose was a moment that I will carry with me forever. Bathing in a freshwater stream was invigorating. Sitting around a Campfire under the Stars and listening to the honesty with which the guys relayed there own personal stories was both fascinating and humbling and again an experience that will live with me.  Map reading was a real challenge but very interesting. In fact I can't say I got more from any one activity than the other, each activity was interesting in its own right, stimulating and enjoyable, giving so much, on so many levels.”

“An immensely enjoyable experience, that will not only put you back into the heart of nature but may also help to put you back in touch with who you really are”

“Thank you Matt for a very enjoyable weekend and a life changing experience”

“It would be great to do a 3 day course (or longer). I thought the course was a great "taster" but felt really sad when we had to leave.”

“Excellent course which was delivered by a first class instructor who is an exceptional, unassuming and very special man”

“Sensei Matt's Woodland Intensive Aikido Course was well balanced, unique and highly memorable – I could not have hoped for more in a weekend!”

“The Aikido Woodlands course gives those that wish to see a glimpse into what is important”

“A fantastic way for anyone to learn about themselves, nature and Aikido”

“An exceptional course run by an exceptional instructor in beautiful surroundings and an experience that you will never forget.”

Another course will be run in September 2009.  If you are interested in attending one of the courses please email Matt on hillmattc@googlemail.com

In the meantime please browse through the photos of the course below:

Yours in Aiki,

Matt Hill.