In general it has been a very quite and lazy start to the summer, by some members of our club, and although we have been lucky to have new members join us, old members are falling behind,

I would like to welcome all new members to our club , and I would like to encourage old members to return, I know Aikido is not for every one but once it is in your blood it is something you will inevitably return to sooner or later, And  this club needs your support now, As always if anyone wants to call me at home to talk I will always welcome a call from my students at any time,

As I have said before I am committed to getting this club up and running in a big way, but I can't do it all on my own I am looking to expand by recruiting Assistant Instructors minimum 2nd Kyu

Apprentice Instructors minimum 5th kyu

To learn how to Instruct in the future and to help with warm ups and with new beginners in the club this comes with benefits that each Assistant or Apprentice instructor will get one free private lesson per 3months, and additional training in class management. I need people to come to me if they are interested in any of the above posts.

Aikido is not something that can be mastered over night and as I have said in the past after 5 kyu grade a minimum of twice a week in training is necessary to become proficient going to a maximum of 5 times a week for a really dedicated student, I know this is hard with work and we all have to earn a living but it is necessary to put aside  certain days times that suits your schedule and stick to them as rigid as you can.

People seem to aspire to black belt in most Martial arts this is just the start your first objective should be to pass on what you have been taught.

Aikido is not like any other Martial Art as well as mastering the technique (that's the easy part) it is necessary to rethink many of our pre set ideas of strength and movement and this is what sets it aside as well as the weapons that are unique to Aikido and as much a part of it as the unarmed side. For these reasons

It is important not to get down hearted with your Aikido everyone has a bad lesson at some point, and while your brain is learning it seems at times like you are going backwards in your training, but you must fight through it, and be determined to succeed. talk to others in the club, chances are they have gone through the same thing.

The recent Knife taking course at Harold Hill seemed to go well and I have updated the web site at:

www.aikido.bravepages.com     (also added an online book store)

 forthcoming courses and news: updated regularly

I am still traveling to different clubs on Mondays and any of my students who want to come with me need only phone me beforehand.

Below is a picture of my original Four students as you can see Neil is the only survivor and he's dedication and perseverance is why he is as good as he is today, He will (if he keeps going) be my first Black belt and hopefully my first Junior Instructor

Others in the photo are from left

Jill - Neil - Dean - George