Zenshin Kokoro Aikido

The meanings of the kanji calligraphy:

 

 

 

Zenshin   The Whole Body, One’s Whole Heart,

                    To Progress.  Gradual Advancement;…...

 

 

 

 

 

Kokoro   Spirit / Heart / Mind / Intuition;…....

 

 

 

 

 

Aikido    The Way to Harmonise Energies;

 

Ai          Harmony, unity, to meet, principle of integration

 

 

Ki       Life energy, Spirit energy, Centralised and 

           Coordinated energy in technique

 

 

Do     Way, path of a discipline, combining principles and

           elements of practice and endeavour

 

 

 

 

The Zen symbol, the circle, is used as a reminder of the practice towards a composed, aware and immovable mind (fudoshin).  It is also a constant reminder that stability and power comes from the centre, and the continued practice of the circularity and arcs of Aikido movements within technique work towards the essence of blending (musubi / awase) and harmony (ai).   It is not religion; it is the gradual learning through practice (keiko), awareness (zanshin), contemplation, and intuition.

 

Zenshin Kokoro Aikido Kai is a school of traditional Aikido.
Commitment to the practice, development and promotion of the essential principles of Aikido (traditional), encouraging a high standard in all aspects,

including tai-jutsu and buki-waza, because proper Aikido is not easy.

With Aikido, you have to first unlearn the western way of doing, and as you do, you start learning something that is very sophisticated.
It is something that some martial artists and warriors, collectively, over hundreds of years of effort (especially in the feudal eras where incidents of combat and particularly life and death situations, often arose) finally realised that there is a point of least resistance, and that there is something that works beyond ordinary physical effort.
This, I believe, is what O’Sensei’s experience, training and practice eventually led to. Using Ki (the energy we all have), and learning to use its attitude (and with practice, skilled movements) that seem to go beyond that ‘typical western physical force’ that we all usually or generally react with.
Using too much physical effort is completely secondary to actually learning a way (or ‘Do’ as in Ai-ki-do).
It is a kind of moving without resistance, a non-resistance, a relaxed response.
That is why you have to unlearn (the ordinary conditioned physical response) in order to learn the relaxed and effective way. It is not easy, it does take longer.
So there you are, it is not easy; but then nothing worthwhile is.

(O-Sensei always said "Aikido wa budo de aru". And what I felt he really meant was, "This is a martial art and if it doesn't work, take up aerobics, take up dance, or take up a gun! But don't call it the Martial Arts. Aikido is a Martial Art.”
Quote by Steven Seagal,7th dan, Shihan Aikido and Shinto Priest)

 

Training and practice is aimed towards the development of co-ordination and balance, during stillness and movement, leading to the progress of the harmonic principles of Aikido and the gradually improved co-ordination of the person as a whole.

This includes developing energy (Ki - considered as centralised and coordinated energy) basically harmonizing the energy of the attacker with the energy of response throughout….

Tai sabaki (body position/placement) - implementing ma-ai (distance and timing) - creating kuzushi (‘breaking’/disruption of the attacker(s) posture) - through to completion of waza (technique) and zanshin (remaining awareness).

Aikido, correctly practiced, can provide in the development of self-awareness,

self-confidence and self-defence, however, as it says on the ZKA Concept Page, there are no short cuts… good practice improves practice, improves practice.

Fudoshin-

Immovable mind

An untroubled mind without reaction or attachment

Takemusu Aiki

Intuitive Aiki

Intuitive and appropriately responsive Aikido

 

George McMaster began training in martial arts over 30 years ago after joining a Kung Fu class conducted at the

St. Nicholas Church Hall in Hull. 

 His training in Aikido in Hull began under the direct instruction of the respected

Alan Pirie Sensei

Alan Pirie Sensei was a gentleman who exemplified and defined the genuine spirit of Aikido and Budo.

 

Pirie Sensei’s clubs included venues at the

Orchard Park Community Centre; Stepney Lane School and the original Rising Sun Aikido School.

However, after Alan Pirie Sensei passed away in 1995, the loss of such a venerable spirit and unique teacher led to a variety of changes over the ensuing years including some instructors leaving in order to (or being invited to) open their own schools.

Early days at the Stepney Lane School Aikido Club

Alan Pirie Sensei (front row second from right)

Glyn Evans Sensei (as a yellow belt, front, second left)

Steve Barrass Sensei (as a white belt, front row first left)

Still early days at the Zenshin Kokoro Aikido Kai

 

Dedication, Integrity, Inspiration

Trevor Burwell

Professor Chee Soo (1919 – 1994)

Alan Pirie Sensei (1927 – 1995)

W. Smith Shihan MBE (1929 - 2006)

 

T.K. Chiba Shihan,  Y. Yamada Shihan,  Y. Kobayashi Shihan

 

Vince Thompson Sensei (Mirfield Martial Arts Club)

Keith Hayward Sensei (Te Shin Kai House of the UKA)

Philip Smith Sensei (Ren Shin Kan House of the UKA)

Henry Ellis Sensei (Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido)

Peter Brady Sensei (Miyo Shin Juku Aikido of the UKA)

Gwynne Jones Sensei (Shin Gi Tai Aikido Society)

Bob Jones Sensei (British Aikido Board)

Joe Curran Sensei (British Aikikai)

Robert L Vourch Sensei (Brittany France)

 

And students everywhere who share those same virtues

Because regardless of grade or situation

We all learn from each other

 

Integrity          Balance          Health          Unity          Courtesy          Spirit

 

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