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Takemusu Aikido Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand Division 1 |
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| I started my Aikido training in 1986 by accident. A friend had told me there was a martial-arts club at the local YMCA. We went along on a Wednesday night and were introduced to Aikido. So it was good fortune really. Tuesday and Thursday were Goju Ryu Karate. I was drawn to Aikido because it appeared to be a practical self-defence. At that time there was only one Aikido club in Christchurch. The chief instructor was Pat Walsh - a bear of a man. With several instructors, the style was eclectic in interpretation. I trained in this club until 1991 at which point it split into two. I followed my regular instructor and began studying under Junichi Nishimura Sensei (from Osaka, Japan). During this time I enjoyed training in several of the clubs that had developed since I first started. In 1999 I decided to establish my own club with the help of two friends. I had seen Iwama Style Aikido many times prior to 1999. I had always been impressed by its strong technique, effectiveness and depth of practice. Takemusu Aikido Christchurch was official established in March 2000 with guidance from Martin Hartman Sensei (Nelson Aikido). After four years Takemusu Aikido Christchurch is now approaching a membership base of fifty adults. Junior membership is presently thirty-five (approximatly). We offer classes every day of the week and regularly host guest instructors for seminars. In the time I have been training I have been lucky enough to attend many seminars taken by a diverse range of international instructors. I attended a seminar given by Patricia Hendricks Sensei in 1991. I was impressed by the clarity of her technical skill and informative instructing manner. This instilled an impression of Iwama Ryu style Aikido that later influenced the direction in which I wanted to train. For further information about Takemusu Aikido Christchurch visit www.takemusu.co.nz My most Memorable Aikido Experience My most memorable experience is a recent one. In 2002 I spent two months as uchideshi in San Leandro dojo under the tutelage of Patricia Hendricks Sensei. The experience was possibly the most intensive two months of my Aikido training. I found the assistance of the yudansha to be very beneficial and my time there reaffirmed my earlier decision to establish an Iwama styled dojo in Christchurch. Patricia Hendricks Sensei was very patient and I am deeply grateful for her considered instruction. |
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