CLUB INSTRUCTORS
Senior Instructors
Clive
MacDonald
"I started training in Aikido in 1968 at the age of eighteen, at the Cardiff Aikikai. My Sensei was Colin Pyke who has since retired. Colin was one of the first people in the country to open a permanent Aikido dojo after gaining his Dan grade. The club was under the direct instruction of Chiba Sensei, who was in this country at the time, and remained so for a few years. The club in Braintree is run on the same understanding that I had admired in my early years of training and has made the Cardiff Aikikai the success that it still is today 30 years on. I have returned with a few of my students to train in Cardiff and the spirit that I still remember remains there, indeed Cardiff Aikikai have now joined BZIS.
I believe in the Aikido for life principle, when we practice it should be a most exhilarating experience. Practice as if you were learning an art that begs out to be understood more and, hopefully, by practising regularly you will arrive at that understanding. Like most instructors in this beautiful art of ours we all have our pet attitudes, mine is to concentrate on the fellowship of practice, and foster a spirit of excellence without ego, this is achieved by following as closely as possible the founders principles, both on and off the mat.
Finally above all, Aikido is a method of self defence, and that must not be forgotten in the scramble to analyse the teachings of Morihei Ueshiba, as so often happens. Although good naturedly Aikido offers answers to questions, for some spiritually, and offers teachings to others physically, so the mind and the body are well satisfied through its practice."
Clive MacDonald 4th Dan. Senior Instructor
Colin
Elms- Senior Karate Instructor
Colin teaches Kyoko Ryu Karate in which he is graded 1st Dan (and has been since 1988) He is also graded 2nd Dan Wado Ryu Karate and 1st Dan Aikido.
Instructors
Michelle
Toon
Michelle gained her shodan at the Bushido Easter Convention in April 2001. She was graded by Arnold Davies (8th Dan), Jim Lawson (6th Dan), and Stefan Kristiaan (4th Dan). Michelle gained her Nidan in March 2004 and Sandan in April 2008.
Owen
Bolton
Owen has been a club instructor since April 2000 when he gained his 1st Kyu. He gained his shodan at the Bushido Easter Convention in April 2001 and was graded by Arnold Davies (8th Dan), Jim Lawson (6th Dan), and Stefan Kristiaan (4th Dan).Owen gained his Nidan in April 2003.
Nigel Thomas