New lockdown measures are coming into force around Europe, but there are some countries that are still able carry on with their sports activities. This week, we get to know more about how things are going in Poland and how a brand-new Dojo got to open during these uncertain times.

During April and May some clubs in Poland organised online lessons, but since June they we able to start practicing in the Dojo again. Despite current uncertainty, a new Dojo was born in early September: The Dragons Kendo Club. According to Julian Górski Sensei, even with the pandemic going on, many children and adults joined the new club.

They keep their classes following the local rules, as he explained that every city in Poland has their own guidelines. For the Dragons, up to 25 people can join meetings of every kind. But people feeling sick or displaying any kind of symptoms should stay at home and not come to the Dojo. For now, they don’t have any strict rules that demand wearing masks during classes.

As expected for a new Dojo, they have many beginners and so their focus is on basics: Kamae, Ashisabaki and basic strikes. Children’s classes are focusing on the same basics, however they add some intelligent exercises for them, using games to develop some of the physical abilities which are needed in kendo. 

Unfortunately, according to Górski Sensei, the number of infected people is increasing in Poland now. “Our government says there will not be another lockdown and sport clubs can continue their activities, but not with an audience in the sport halls. We shall see”.  But if there’s a new lockdown in place, they will probably start online classes again.

If you want to know more about this new Dojo in Poland, visit their website or their Facebook page.