Practice

Aikido

The Itsuo Tsuda School practices Aikido following the orientation established by Itsuo Tsuda and currently conveyed by Régis Soavi. Our approach is distinctive in what it emphasizes: we set aside both the sport and martial art aspects of Aikido to focus on “the possibility this art gives for carrying out an internal and personal search.”

Rather than competitive or combat-oriented training, our practice prioritizes self-discovery and inner development. A foundational element is Kokyu Nage, related to respiration. While “Ko” means breathing out and “Kyu” means breathing in, for Tsuda this concept “extends far beyond the biochemical or gymnastic conception of respiration.”

Aikido serves as a vehicle for personal transformation through integrated mind-body practice, distinct from conventional martial arts training.

Katsugen Undo (Regenerating Movement)

Katsugen Undo is “an exercise of the involuntary system” developed in Japan by Haruchika Noguchi and introduced to Europe in the 1970s by Itsuo Tsuda. The practice aims to train one’s involuntary nervous system, enabling the body to recover its natural capacity for self-adjustment.

Tsuda distinguished between two forms: natural bodily reactions (yawning, sneezing, sleep movements) and the developed method created by Master Noguchi. The school presents it as “a way to restore the body’s resilience, a manifestation of an internal work that has been part of the human body since its origin.”

Katsugen Undo is integral to our philosophy, aligning closely with Seitai principles and complementing the practice of Aikido.

Workshop Practice

Our workshops are typically held over weekends at various dojos across Europe. They provide an opportunity to practice Aikido and Katsugen Undo under the guidance of experienced instructors, including Régis Soavi Sensei and other senior students.

The practice is accessible to all levels—from complete beginners to long-term practitioners. Each person works at their own pace, focusing on their internal development rather than external achievement.

Check our workshops calendar for upcoming dates and locations.