I joined the Oxford University Aikido Club in 1994 under the head teacher Kanetsuka Sensei. I later moved to Bristol at Bristol University with one of Kanetsuka’s senior teachers called John Czarnuszeujez.

 

I trained with John and his senior student James Ladyman for about six years and then moved to Japan where I joined the Niigata University Aikido club under Omori Sensei for three years and also studied and received Shodan in Kendo and Aikido during that period. I also studied Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido with Stephanou Yury who was the Russian Consulate in Niigata at that time.

I then moved to Osaka and joined one of the oldest Aikido Clubs( fifty years) under Ikeda Sensei where I received Nidan. During that time I was also a member of the Osaka Federation Aikido club and studied with Yoshida Sensei. I moved back to London in 2014 and studied Nishio Toho Iai (drawing of the Japanese sword) with Jarkko Lampinlampi. I then joined the Notting Hill Aikido club and studied under Anthea Pascaris and eventually through circumstance ended up full circle joining my original club in Oxford under Richard Martin.

I have had the privilege of being able to continuously develop my Aikido practice which has also been strongly influenced by my Involvement with other Martial Arts particularly relating to Tai Chi and have found the principles and practice of both arts to be very compatible.