In memory · 1938–2021

Bernard Caloz Shihan

Founder of Aïkido Club La Côte, 7th dan. For nearly thirty years he guided the club with high standards and generosity.

Portrait of Bernard Caloz Shihan, in keikogi and hakama.
Bernard Caloz 1938–2021 (c) pattteo.com

The club’s tribute

An example on the mat

Bernard began practising judo in Sierre in 1958 and obtained his first aikido grade in 1962. He went on to reach 7th dan in 2014.

An honorary and founding member of Aïkido Club La Côte since 1992, Bernard was an extraordinary personality — rigorous and uncompromising, yet open and understanding; modest, yet aware of his knowledge and abilities. He always took care to set an example for everyone on the mat, and never spared his time or effort to help his students progress.

Just as when he polished his Japanese swords, Bernard was always on the lookout for the unnecessary movement, in pursuit of a clean aikido, free of frills.

Bernard is simply irreplaceable. Let us be glad to have benefited from his teaching for so long, and let us keep training joyfully, thinking of all the wonderful moments we spent with him on the mat — and over a drink, too. May his spirit continue to inspire us throughout our lives.

And remember:

“stay supple, use your centre, put energy at your fingertips!”

A very big THANK YOU, BERNARD!

Read the original French text

Bernard a commencé à pratiquer le judo en 1958 à Sierre et obtenu son premier grade d’Aïkido en 1962. Il progressa jusqu’à obtenir son 7ème dan en 2014.

Membre d’honneur et membre fondateur de l’Aïkido Club La Côte depuis 1992, personnalité hors norme, rigoureux et entier mais ouvert et compréhensif, à la fois modeste et conscient de ses connaissances et capacités, Bernard a toujours été soucieux d’être un exemple pour tous sur les tatamis et n’a jamais ménagé son temps et ses efforts pour faire progresser ses élèves.

De même que lorsqu’il polissait ses sabres japonais, Bernard était toujours à l’affût du geste inutile pour atteindre un style d’Aïkido propre et sans fioritures.

Bernard est simplement irremplaçable. Soyons heureux d’avoir pu profiter si longtemps de son enseignement et essayons de continuer à nous entraîner dans la joie en pensant à tous ces moments formidables que nous avons passés avec lui sur les tatamis, mais aussi autour d’un verre. Puisse son esprit continuer à nous inspirer tout au long de notre vie.

Et rappelez-vous : restez souples, utilisez votre centre, mettez de l’énergie au bout de vos doigts !

Un très grand MERCI BERNARD !

His path

A life on the mat

  1. 1938

    Born

  2. 1958

    First steps on the mat

    He takes up judo in Sierre, in the Valais.

  3. 1962

    First aikido grade

    The start of nearly sixty years of practice.

  4. 1992

    Founds Aïkido Club La Côte

    He founds the ACLC in Gland, and remains its honorary member.

  5. 2014

    7th dan

    He is awarded 7th dan, one of the highest grades in aikido.

  6. 2021

    Bernard passes away

    His teaching lives on, on our mats.

The film

Bernard Caloz, aikido master

An ORCA Production report on aikido featuring Bernard Caloz, filmed in the dojo beneath the portrait of the founder.

ORCA Production report

Large file: it only loads when you press play.

(c) Courtesy of ORCA Production

On video

His kata, his lessons

Precious archives to keep studying his aikido. The video files are large, so a Wi-Fi connection is best.

Weapons lesson in Prague

A weapons lesson given by Bernard in Prague.

“Caloz no kata” seminar, 2 October 2022

A day devoted to Bernard’s kata.

On YouTube