A Demonstration to mark the 30th Anniversary of Lancashire Aikikai is planned for 19th September 1996. Arrangements will be made at the course on 6th September. Please contact Mr Mucha for more information.

If any club would like gradings, information or articles (or even small ads) published in the next newsletter (Spring), please send them to:

P Alexander
As I am now responsible for the newsletter

Poppy

There is a new grading syllabus for seniors. All clubs should have these by now.

On the last weapons course (30th June 1996) one of my bokkens disappeared. I can only surmise somebody has taken it by mistake. The boken is handmade from hickory and has a round black rubber tsuba. It would be nice to have it back.

M Mucha.

Articles

Is Aikido Better Than.... or...?
By Chris Wallace. Trafford

I am often asked by prospective beginners, as they pass through Altrincham Leisure Centre on a Sunday evening, 'Is Aikido better than Judo, Karate, Taekwondo or Kung Fu, etc.? Which is the more powerful? Which is more effective as a self-defence?

Having studied Karate for a number of years before taking up Aikido, I often find myself comparing the two martial arts. Although still a relative beginner, I have not yet found an answer to the above questions, and probably never will!

I have recently stumbled across an interesting quotation in a book about Jeet Kune Do. This is probably as good an explanation as any:

"As far as other styles or schools are concerned -
Take no thought of who is right or wrong, or who is better than.
Be not for or against.
For in the landscape of spring there is neither better nor worse. The flowering branches grow naturally. Some long. Some short."
Bruce Lee

Dojo Mexico (August 95)
By Cathy O'Shea, Bury

Walking down the Colonia Roma in the Tonala district of Mexico City reminded me of the path we follow in our practice of Aikido. This is a very long road, a good half-hour walk, with many entrances and exits, many slabs to trip you up, diversions around obstacles that get in your way, and just when you think you've reached your ultimate destination, the thing extends even further than that bit you've just travelled along!

Finally we reached our journey's end, the headquarters of the FEDERATION MEXICANA DE AIKIDO A.C. There was a suited, nervous-looking Mexican waiting outside. Through a smattering of English and Spanish, we managed to communicate. Sensei Miguel Moreno, 5th Dan, was the chief instructor. This young man had to watch the class for at least a month, had to have good references, and, once his character had been thoroughly vetted, then maybe he could just set foot on the mat! So, there I was in my army trousers and boots, clutching my letter from Miguel Morena in one hand, and a cigarette in the other (which I quickly extinguished when the door opened).

"Er ...Cathy O'Shea from England..." "Ah yes, welcome, come in!" Phew! It was Sensei Moreno. He showed me where to change, and then another Dan grade showed me where the permanent mat was laid out. My friend and other potentials sat at the back near the door and were told to sit upright, not to cross their legs etc. Meanwhile, I was sitting in seiza, and looking up the elongated room towards the kamiza where there was a picture of O'Sensei, and Miguel Morena. All I could think of was that I was going to be sick.

Then people started coming onto the mat. Suddenly they turned round toward the door, so I followed suit, and we bowed to Sensei Morena as he came onto the mat. He then gestured me forward, and asked a 3rd Dan called Theresa to partner me all night. We did a quick warm-up, without any footwork. Then we moved to opposite sides of the hall. Sensei Morena demonstrated with his uke in Spanish, but all you needed to do was watch. We started off with Tai no henko. Sensei Moreno was like a brick wall, and looked very powerful. We also did a bit of kokyu-ho. Then we went onto Shomenuchi Ikkyo. I had a bit of a shock, as they practised the soft form, so my arm was caught with a resounding slap when I performed Ikkyo. "No ...soft..." whispered Teresa. After that, it was Shomenuchi sankyo, softly of course!

After an hour and a Half, the proceedings were brought to a close, and everyone proceeded to bow to each other, and finally, brush the mat. There would now be a break, but it was very late, and being in a dodgy part of town, we decided to leave.

I must say that the experience was very rewarding. The people of the Mexico Aikikai, especially Theresa, were very good to me, and I enjoyed my stay immensely, once I had overcome my initial fear of entering a strange dojo. I remember reading somewhere that you should be able to walk into any Aikido dojo in the world and be made welcome, so I packed my gi, and decided to try this out. It's true so far!

Principal's Comment

Aikido is like a river. At the source, the water is crystal clear and pure, but the water as it flows acquires some impurity catching the banks of the river and becomes very muddy. It is the same with Aikido. With so many various clubs and immature teachers, no wonder there is confusion. If you are not sure about Aikido, go back to practice basic techniques.

Mr Mucha
Principal, Lancashire Aikikai

Gradings

There have been a lot of gradings, since there has not been a newsletter for a while, but the list is incomplete, as I don't have details from all clubs- sorry about this- Poppy

Altrincham

Bury

Lostock-Stretford

Trafford

Grading details were published in the paper version - Not published online under Data Protection Provisions