The collaboration between the FNAL and the Swiss Aikido Federation (ACSA) goes back several years, indeed even predating the official founding of the FNAL.
In practice, this collaboration is overseen by Shihan Renata Jocic (6th dan).
Together with her husband, Shihan Dragisha Jocic (7th dan), she runs a professional aikido school in Bern (Switzerland). In addition, in her capacity as Chair of the Federation’s Technical Commission, Shihan Renata acts in an advisory capacity to the FNAL Executive Committee.
Shihan Renata regularly visits Luxembourg to run top-class training courses for all FNAL aikidokas.
Many members of the FNAL regularly travel to Switzerland to take part in aikido courses there.
All FNAL instructors regularly attend further training courses and refresher courses run by the ACSA and by Shihan Renata Jocic.
The FNAL organises several annual aikido courses under the guidance of Shihan Renata.
To ensure that our Kyu and Dan grading examinations are recognised internationally, all eligible FNAL aikidokas are also individual members of the Swiss Aikido Association (ACSA).
Thanks to this collaboration, grading examinations can be conducted under Shihan Renata’s supervision and are therefore recognised internationally.
Renata Sensei and Dragisha Sensei both hold the title of Shihan.
The Shihan is – not only in Budō – a teacher of teachers or a professor.
This is an honorary title bestowed upon a high-ranking dignitary, a distinguished teacher and master, an instructor and educator.
Shihan is the highest of three honorary titles.
These titles can and are only conferred directly by the Doshu of the Aikiai – the highest personal authority in Aikido.