While this is technically my second post, hi, I'm Cen. I used to post on the Aikidojournal forums many moons ago (if anyone from there is here, hi). I teach Aiki Budo privately in Melbourne, am a reasonable "midterm aikidoka" (15 years) and love to cross train and shoot the wind about anything martial arts. Thanks for having me.
Welcome! I use to do Tomiki Aikido about 10 years ago, really interesting system. What branch of Aikido do you teach or is it an Daito Ryu/Daito Ryu offshoot?
Hi there. What I teach is fundamentally exactly what you see in the "Budo" manual written by Ueshiba when his art was called Aiki Budo. My favourite Aikido system is without a doubt the Iwama style, but I have trained in both Yoshinkan and Aikikai styles as well. Many shidoshi of many styles "recreate" Aiki Budo in training, and since I also study Judo and jujutsu I find this to be the most highly effective variant of the Aiki systems I know, and by calling what I teach Aiki Budo I can sidestep the horrible political backstabbing that WILL kill Aikido if left unchecked. I am shortly beginning my training in Takumakai Daito-ryu aikijujutsu. Thanks for the welcome!
Good stuff! Sounds like you have good experience. I think you are right, Aikido is in decline. I did a thread about it here: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122547 Daito Ryu does look like a fascinating system, you are lucky you get to train in it! Hope it goes well and keep us up to date.
Thank you. ^ Prizewriter, I would be happy to add a comment on that thread with your permission. I however don't believe Aikido is in decline, merely stagnant. I believe my website is however linked in my description (!?!) and I have done a bit of a similar "opinion piece" there.
