Aikido

Hi All

Why I have chosen to talk about Aikido.

I first started to learn Aikido in 1968/9, I was only a young boy then. I stumbled across it to tell you the Truth, I wasn't looking, I didn't have a driving passion to do it. We just found each other.
Aikido wasn't well known then in the U.K. and not practiced by many, the club I found had a small dojo (practice hall) and was near to where I lived in Cardiff. I was lucky! This club had quite a large class both for adults and children, I joined and started then to enjoy it so much that I continue, even to today. The Chief instructor (Sensei) was Colin Pike and he was taught by Chiba Sensei who was then head of the Association. He taught Traditional Aikido then which could be quite taxing for the students. He still teaches and has his dojo in the U.S.A but travels to the UK and Europe often to take summer schools. There are now estimated to be approximately 1.5 million people learning Aikido today around the world and the art is evolving as it grows.
Aikido has helped me in so many ways, it taught me respect, it gave me away to vent my frustrations and curb my anger, (which as a child was then a big problem). Also it taught me discipline, gave me confidence, how to look after myself and I made many friendships too, some of which have lasted over thirty years.