My experience
I hold advanced degrees in several martial arts, including a second-degree black belt in karate, a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a fourth-degree black belt in Aikido. I also trained in Kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship) for a number of years.
My mission
I started my own Aikido club in 2008 after my older brother and Aikido colleague retired after 25 years of teaching. I’m passionate about Aikido, and I am determined to pass it on to young and older people alike to keep the beauty of the art alive. I’d like to give everyone the training experience I received – a precious gift – so they can preserve it for each new generation. Aikido helps young people stay in good health and out of trouble by enhancing their self-confidence, self-discipline, self-respect, and respect for others. And it does the same for everyone else!
What kind of people study Aikido at Bushido Budo Centre for Martial Arts & Self-Defense?
In the last 25 years I’ve trained in and taught martial arts, I’ve had many students achieve black belt degrees. Some opened their own martial arts studios, or became personal trainers, professional fighters, police officers, or members of the armed forces. Others became engineers, doctors, lawyers, and pursued other professional careers. Many women and girls also achieved tremendous success in Aikido, and often have advantages over men because of their flexibility.
How can peaceful people benefit from training in martial arts?
Aikido is strictly for self-defense, rather than for attack. In fact, Aikido has no offensive techniques. Aikido helps you to defend yourself against one or multiple attackers without causing serious injury, by using your opponents’ force and energy to neutralise them. In that same non-destructive, harmonious spirit, Aikido also helps you to improve your mental discipline, your physical strength and your flexibility, and helps you reduce your stress at work or school. Training in Aikido will help you stay in shape, improve your cardio-vascular capacity, build your self-confidence and self-respect, and help you gain respect and compassion for others.
