Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba is the founder of aikido and often known as O'Sensei, meaning great teacher.
O'Sensei is known to have studied several martial arts in his youth but did not train extensively in most. In the earlier years of his teaching, from the 1920s to the mid 1930s, Ueshiba taught Takeda Sokaku's aiki-jūjutsu.
The early form of training under Ueshiba was characterized by the ample use of strikes to vital points (atemi), a larger total curriculum, a greater use of weapons, and a more linear approach to technique than would be found in later forms of aikido.
As Ueshiba grew older, more skilled, and more spiritual in his outlook, his art also changed and became softer and more circular. Striking techniques became less important and the formal curriculum became simpler. In his own expression of the art there was a greater emphasis on what is referred to as kokyū-nage, or 'breath throws', which are soft and blending, utilizing the opponent's movement in order to throw them.
Ueshiba is remembered by his pupils as a master of the martial arts, whose studies transcended technical matters to include a moral and philosophical view of the world based on harmony in the face of aggression.
"Opponents confront us continually, but actually there is no opponent there. Enter deeply into an attack and neutralize it as you draw that misdirected force into your own sphere." - Morihei Ueshiba
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Chris Wilmot
In 1974 Sensei had the good fortune to be introduced to aikido when a new club opened in Axminster. Unfortunately the teacher left the area abruptly after six weeks but it was enough time to have ignited Sensei’s love of aikido.
Three years later Sensei moved to Plymouth to do a six month training course. It was there in early 1978 that he found his first teacher Sensei Kolesnikov who had a club at the Fleet club in Devonport.
Sensei attended his first summer seminar in 1979 at Swansea’s teacher training college. It was two weeks of training with Tohei Sensei 10th Dan and founder of the Ki no Kenkyukai.
In 1980 Sensei again attended summer seminar, this time at Swansea University under the tutorage of Maruyama Sensei, who is currently head of the Yuishinkai. In this same year Sensei Kolesnikov was persuaded by Sensei to open a club in Seaton Devon. Sensei Kolesnikov left the KiKenkyukai in 1982.
With the departure of his first teacher, Sensei became a direct pupil of Sensei Williams, who was then head of the Kikenkyukai of Great Britain and now the head of the Ki Federation of Great Britain. This relationship lasted until 2003. Sensei also took on the running of the Seaton dojo.
In the late eighties and nineties Sensei opened and taught in dojos in Axminster, Ilminster, Honiton and Lyme Regis.
A life long ambition of Sensei Williams came to fruition in 1999 when after more than forty years, a purposeful and permanent head quarters was established in Mark, Somerset. Sensei was invited by his teacher to move from Devon to Mark so he could become a full time head quarters teacher. He also became a committee member. This position enabled Sensei to travel to Romania in September 1999 and teach aikido as a representative of the Ki Federation.
At the start of the new millennium, Sensei opened a dojo in Weston-Super-Mare where he taught until he left the Ki Federation in 2003.
After quiet but persistent requesting from his student Sensei Hindle, Sensei opened the Puriton Aikido Club in 2007.
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Do not live for Aikido, BUT use Aikido to live.
I can not remember who is credited to saying this originally, but I have tried my utmost to apply this to my life in the last 35 years.
The following is just a small collection of my personal views on the practice of Aikido:
There are many styles of Aikido. Some can be considered hard - empathising the physical aspects of the techniques and expounding the self defence side of Aikido. While others incline towards the other end of the spectrum at varying degrees, incorporating more empathise on Ki as they do so. Aikido is also taught as a sport.
The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (O'Sensei) himself went through various transformations during his 70+ years in the study of martial arts. From the beginning of the 20th century up to the second world war, his physical prowess was most dominant. At this time he was developing techniques that were both effective and devastating. After world war two his training & teaching inclined more & more toward incorporating Ki and encouraged Aikido to be practised with peace; love at its heart. It was at the beginning of this period that Aikido became the final name given to O'Sensei’s art. Ai = Harmony; Ki = Life force/universal power, and Do = Way/Path.
People today who are interested in practising Aikido can choose from this vast array of styles. Each person can find a style that they think suits them.
My own Aikido development stems from the post war era. The Aikido I practise & teach involves neutralizing a persons aggression with circular movement. Mind & body coordination & Ki development is paramount. Self defence is not taught directly but is a by-product of each exercise (technique). The purpose of my study, and that of my students, is to acquire a mind that remains calm regardless of the severity of the problems we may face.
Whatever the problems, large or small, we have a tendency to react in a certain way; the mind becomes disturbed & agitated making it difficult to find a solution. The longer our minds are in this state the more our body tenses up, which can lead to various health issues.
A question people often ask is: does Aikido have a philosophy. My answer is the philosophy is in the practice of Aikido. Aikido is not something you would spend hours in theoretical discussion or deciding which argument fits best etc. Aikido has nature itself at its heart. All Aikido exercises are based on the laws of nature. One of natures fundamental laws is that of constant change. Whatever is born must eventually die, whatever is created must eventually cease and so on. Many people experience suffering because they choose to ignore this and try to make it different by convincing themselves that they are different, unique or are always chasing after a completely happy life. This is ludicrous. We can’t go through life preferring only experiences that we like, it is like saying I like inhaling but hate exhaling so I will only inhale from now on. If you did this you are going against nature itself and you will harm yourself. In a nutshell to resist these things brings instant pain and suffering.
An underlying principal of Aikido is non resistance. Aikido exercises are always of a flowing nature going with the power - never against it. If you should go against it you will experience an immediate clash and will be overpowered. In the practise of Aikido we come to fully understand these natural laws. We let go of our notions of what nature should be and accept it by saying “it is as it is”. Once we truly accept this, a great personal transformation takes place. We abide totally with nature; we are part of nature. This brings great calmness of mind. All fears dissolves because whoever or whatever attacks you, attacks nature itself, and ultimately hurting themselves in the process.
If you like what you have read in this article & you feel that you could benefit from Aikido, then do not hesitate to take up the practice.
- Sensei Wilmot
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Richard Hindle
Richard Hindle 16/04/66 - 45 years young!
I started practicing martial arts when I was about eight-years-old. I lived in Bath during that time and practice judo for approximately two years, under Peter Thatcher. Unfortunately the pressures of school meant I could not practice any longer. Later, I had a brief introduction to kung fu and tai kwon do. Neither of these were what I was looking for.
In and around 1986, when I was twenty-years-old, I came across ki aikido. I do not remember how I found it, but realised immediately that this was what I had been looking for.
I started training under Sensei MᶜKechan and his Sensei, Keneth Williams, of the Ki Federation.
I trained with a number of different teachers until I was about thirty-years of age, after which I relocated to the village of Mark, in Somerset. This is where the Ki Federation’s base is situated. Here I was able to study intensively for about six years; reaching the grade of third dan.
It was while living and studying in Mark that I met my current teacher: Sensei Chris Wilmot, who I choose to guide me further along the path.
As time inevitably moved forwards, Sensei Wilmot and I found ourselves moving away from the Ki Federation; finding the organisation had grown too large and politically rigid. We eventually left.
Since then we had a club in Stawell for some time, and we now have a club in Highbridge.
Sensei Wilmot’s style of aikido is pure, and I believe is taught how the founder, Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei) would teach now in the twentieth century. One that emphasises a non-fighting mind and calmness. Aikido is defence against the self and defence against a modern world where one is continually busy! It also helps keep you mentally and physically fit.
Now the day has come where Sensei Wilmot has moved to Thailand, I have taken over the club and will continue this message…
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