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David Edwards
David Edwards, born 28/10/84, is now a soldier, in the Parachute Regiment.
How many years have you practiced Aikido or another martial art ? Have you ever been hurt?
Less than two years. I practiced other martial arts before including Jujitsu (a Japanese martial art from which others stemmed like Judo) and Ninjutsu (for.. ninja warriors. A martial art that uses many weapons) though. I have never been seriously hurt.
What has led you to practice a martial art & Aikido in particular ?
I had, during my practice of other internal Japanese martial arts looked up to Aikido as the apex of all internal martial arts, for its genuine lack of any need to use muscular strength, force, etc. Also that one can throw several people at once, that drew my attention to the art… and things I'd heard of such as Fudo no Shisei (immovable posture) and other things that seemed like magic. The deciding factor for starting Aikido was a friend pointing out that there was, contrary to my previous belief, an Aikido dojo (the place where one practices) in my home town.
What led me to practice a martial art in the first place? I was always the kid who didn't like to struggle with playground fights and preferred to win by doing things that weren't expected. Eventually as I grew older this led naturally to martial arts, in which one can learn to do the thing properly.
Had you practiced another martial art before ?
I had, before Aikido, practiced Jujitsu for about 6 months, Ninjutsu for about three years, and less than a year of kickboxing. After taking up Aikido I also took up Tae Kwondo (a Korean martial art, famous for its kicks) for some time. I've done a small amount of Iaido (a Japanese martial art practiced with a sword) and Judo. Other unrelated sports… Orienteering mainly, plus running, swimming, hiking, climbing, caving, all those sorts of things.
What makes Aikido special for you ?
My martial arts background is somewhat eclectic, and Aikido is that art I expect that I will stick with for the rest of my life now. For me Aikido is special compared to other martial arts because, if done properly, things are effortless, fluent, perfect. Aikido, to my eyes, is the Lord of the Dance of martial arts. That is not to say that it is filled with superfluous movements etc, but rather, it is elegant, looks beautiful, and yet is very strong and powerful. And the real beauty then lies in the fact that there are no movements that do not serve a purpose. Everything is blissfully simple. And yet the most powerful martial art I've encountered. With Aikido one can do a kind of magic that I've not encountered in any other martial art.
Has your gender – height – weight... ever been a problem?
It's not caused a problem at all, nor has it given me any particular advantage. I'm male, 6ft tall (183cm), and 11.5st (74kg). I think everybody (literally, every body) gradually adjusts their Aikido to suit their body type. If you're tall, short, big and heavy, small and light, your Aikido can be just as powerful. Slightly different, depending upon those attributes, but no more nor less powerful (and easy, natural, etc).
What is the importance of grades to you ?
Little or no importance. Sure, I like to pass the gradings for which I am put forward, but it doesn't matter to me too much. Similar to how Aikido (mainstream Aikikai Foundation Aikido at least) doesn't have coloured belts for adults… we're all learners, whatever our level. We can all learn from each other, whether we be higher or lower grade than the person with whom we are practicing. Learn in a different way, perhaps, but learn nevertheless and benefit from it a great deal. Of course, I still give the respect to those above me in grade that is due to them; that is an important part of etiquette, if nothing else. Accordingly, they give me respect back. Aikido is about give and take… not about seeing who is best.
What does weapon practice mean in your practice ?
We don't do very much in our dojo, because we don't tend to do too many weapons techniques per se, rather, we use weapons to help us to understand more clearly the principles that are at work. A sword is an obvious extension of the body, and as such it's an invaluable tool for illustrating the extension of ki (energy, life breath), and also the direction and form of the movement that is being made during a technique, itself invariably a cutting movement of some kind. Also, we practice Aiki-ken (practice with a sword, usually a bokken i.e. a wooden sword) and Aiki-jo (practice with a jo i.e. a walking staff about 130cm / 4ft3 high), for the purpose of improving our ability to harmonize with the movement of another.
Do you wish to teach ? Why ?
I'm a fairly lowly grade (4th kyu) so it's not something to which I've given great consideration. Ask me in about twenty years ;-p Of course, I do convey what I know to those less experienced than I, and teach them as best I can... but no, I've certainly not taught in any formal sense of the word. Though my Sensei (term of respect given to your teacher) has threatened to get me to teach at some point, just one class… says it'd be good for me. Not sure how good it'd be for the other members of the class though, who range from complete beginner up to 4th dan, with most of the grades in between (our Sensei being 5th dan).
No competition in Aikido: do you miss it ?
I don't miss competition at all. We're not there to see who's the best. And I think that to employ competition would also encourage people to use physical strength more, especially when they are low grades, which is therefore not helpful for learning Aikido, as I see it. Hence, I don't understand how competitive Aikido can really be (sorry, Tomiki Aikidoka… perhaps someone some day can explain it to me). Masakatsu agatsu (Roughly: True victory is victory over oneself), as O Sensei (the founder) would say.
Do you feel there is a difference ni the teaching, practice, attitude… according to the country ? or is it the same difference there is between two teachers ?
Not that I can tell. I've not yet practiced Aikido outside of Great Britain, but I've practiced with Aikidoka from Great Britain (i.e. England, Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland), Republic of Ireland, France, Belgium, Spain, Holland, Colombia, Russia, China, and Japan. From what I can tell, country doesn't make any great difference, I've certainly not noticed any "national" facets to Aikido style at least... of course there will be variations from teacher to teacher, style to style… but country isn't a factor, as far as I can see.
What difference has Aikido made for your body? For your mind / soul / psyche ? Do you feel there is a spiritual dimension in Aikido ?
It's improved by posture and coordination of course, helped me to understand how to use my body much more efficiently, taught me more about breathing properly than I understood before… makes me much more relaxed yet focused (including when off the mat) than previously. Ability to stop trying to do things and just do them.
I remember the first thing I noticed about my Aikido dojo when first I entered it was how relaxed and peaceful it seemed, with everybody sat in seiza (kneeling posture), spread out across the mat (alas, I had entered the dojo slightly late, owing to having gone to the wrong place first). I've been in many dojos of various martial arts, and I've never encountered an atmosphere so good in any other martial art as I have for Aikido. Good in the sense of the people being friendly, welcoming, relaxed, sincere, committed, and yet humble. And I think Aikido promotes these qualities in people.
What would you say to someone who would like to try Aikido or to a beginner?
I'd recommend Aikido to anybody… any age, shape, size, whatever. If you've practiced another martial art before… it won't help you very much, I'm afraid. In some ways, it's actually beneficial perhaps to be a complete beginner, as then you have a "blank slate", so to speak, and therefore more natural Shoshin (Beginner's Mind, as it is often called). But Aikido is for everyone, and many people from all backgrounds and ability levels and whatever all practice Aikido and enjoy it…
In our own dojo, we have a lady who practices in a wheelchair, when her fairly busy life permits it… (she sits to the side of the mat, we take turns to go off and practice with her… it's actually quite interesting, how Aikido techniques can be adapted to be just as "good" from a wheelchair, and done on somebody in a wheelchair, without her being at any disadvantage). We also have a 79-year-old practitioner who only started about 5 years ago. If these people can take up Aikido, you can.
Any special dream in your martial practice ?
To be perfect at Aikido. Of course, it's very unlikely that I ever will, it's highly questionable whether anyone can ever reach the point of not being able to improve further. Even O Sensei said himself that he was still learning when he was in his eighties… but then, it's the path that matters, and that one is proceeding towards the goal… actually reaching it isn't nearly as important, in my opinion.
How many years have you practiced Aikido or another martial art ? Have you ever been hurt?
Less than two years. I practiced other martial arts before including Jujitsu (a Japanese martial art from which others stemmed like Judo) and Ninjutsu (for.. ninja warriors. A martial art that uses many weapons) though. I have never been seriously hurt.
What has led you to practice a martial art & Aikido in particular ?
I had, during my practice of other internal Japanese martial arts looked up to Aikido as the apex of all internal martial arts, for its genuine lack of any need to use muscular strength, force, etc. Also that one can throw several people at once, that drew my attention to the art… and things I'd heard of such as Fudo no Shisei (immovable posture) and other things that seemed like magic. The deciding factor for starting Aikido was a friend pointing out that there was, contrary to my previous belief, an Aikido dojo (the place where one practices) in my home town.
What led me to practice a martial art in the first place? I was always the kid who didn't like to struggle with playground fights and preferred to win by doing things that weren't expected. Eventually as I grew older this led naturally to martial arts, in which one can learn to do the thing properly.
Had you practiced another martial art before ?
I had, before Aikido, practiced Jujitsu for about 6 months, Ninjutsu for about three years, and less than a year of kickboxing. After taking up Aikido I also took up Tae Kwondo (a Korean martial art, famous for its kicks) for some time. I've done a small amount of Iaido (a Japanese martial art practiced with a sword) and Judo. Other unrelated sports… Orienteering mainly, plus running, swimming, hiking, climbing, caving, all those sorts of things.
What makes Aikido special for you ?
My martial arts background is somewhat eclectic, and Aikido is that art I expect that I will stick with for the rest of my life now. For me Aikido is special compared to other martial arts because, if done properly, things are effortless, fluent, perfect. Aikido, to my eyes, is the Lord of the Dance of martial arts. That is not to say that it is filled with superfluous movements etc, but rather, it is elegant, looks beautiful, and yet is very strong and powerful. And the real beauty then lies in the fact that there are no movements that do not serve a purpose. Everything is blissfully simple. And yet the most powerful martial art I've encountered. With Aikido one can do a kind of magic that I've not encountered in any other martial art.
Has your gender – height – weight... ever been a problem?
It's not caused a problem at all, nor has it given me any particular advantage. I'm male, 6ft tall (183cm), and 11.5st (74kg). I think everybody (literally, every body) gradually adjusts their Aikido to suit their body type. If you're tall, short, big and heavy, small and light, your Aikido can be just as powerful. Slightly different, depending upon those attributes, but no more nor less powerful (and easy, natural, etc).
What is the importance of grades to you ?
Little or no importance. Sure, I like to pass the gradings for which I am put forward, but it doesn't matter to me too much. Similar to how Aikido (mainstream Aikikai Foundation Aikido at least) doesn't have coloured belts for adults… we're all learners, whatever our level. We can all learn from each other, whether we be higher or lower grade than the person with whom we are practicing. Learn in a different way, perhaps, but learn nevertheless and benefit from it a great deal. Of course, I still give the respect to those above me in grade that is due to them; that is an important part of etiquette, if nothing else. Accordingly, they give me respect back. Aikido is about give and take… not about seeing who is best.
What does weapon practice mean in your practice ?
We don't do very much in our dojo, because we don't tend to do too many weapons techniques per se, rather, we use weapons to help us to understand more clearly the principles that are at work. A sword is an obvious extension of the body, and as such it's an invaluable tool for illustrating the extension of ki (energy, life breath), and also the direction and form of the movement that is being made during a technique, itself invariably a cutting movement of some kind. Also, we practice Aiki-ken (practice with a sword, usually a bokken i.e. a wooden sword) and Aiki-jo (practice with a jo i.e. a walking staff about 130cm / 4ft3 high), for the purpose of improving our ability to harmonize with the movement of another.
Do you wish to teach ? Why ?
I'm a fairly lowly grade (4th kyu) so it's not something to which I've given great consideration. Ask me in about twenty years ;-p Of course, I do convey what I know to those less experienced than I, and teach them as best I can... but no, I've certainly not taught in any formal sense of the word. Though my Sensei (term of respect given to your teacher) has threatened to get me to teach at some point, just one class… says it'd be good for me. Not sure how good it'd be for the other members of the class though, who range from complete beginner up to 4th dan, with most of the grades in between (our Sensei being 5th dan).
No competition in Aikido: do you miss it ?
I don't miss competition at all. We're not there to see who's the best. And I think that to employ competition would also encourage people to use physical strength more, especially when they are low grades, which is therefore not helpful for learning Aikido, as I see it. Hence, I don't understand how competitive Aikido can really be (sorry, Tomiki Aikidoka… perhaps someone some day can explain it to me). Masakatsu agatsu (Roughly: True victory is victory over oneself), as O Sensei (the founder) would say.
Do you feel there is a difference ni the teaching, practice, attitude… according to the country ? or is it the same difference there is between two teachers ?
Not that I can tell. I've not yet practiced Aikido outside of Great Britain, but I've practiced with Aikidoka from Great Britain (i.e. England, Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland), Republic of Ireland, France, Belgium, Spain, Holland, Colombia, Russia, China, and Japan. From what I can tell, country doesn't make any great difference, I've certainly not noticed any "national" facets to Aikido style at least... of course there will be variations from teacher to teacher, style to style… but country isn't a factor, as far as I can see.
What difference has Aikido made for your body? For your mind / soul / psyche ? Do you feel there is a spiritual dimension in Aikido ?
It's improved by posture and coordination of course, helped me to understand how to use my body much more efficiently, taught me more about breathing properly than I understood before… makes me much more relaxed yet focused (including when off the mat) than previously. Ability to stop trying to do things and just do them.
I remember the first thing I noticed about my Aikido dojo when first I entered it was how relaxed and peaceful it seemed, with everybody sat in seiza (kneeling posture), spread out across the mat (alas, I had entered the dojo slightly late, owing to having gone to the wrong place first). I've been in many dojos of various martial arts, and I've never encountered an atmosphere so good in any other martial art as I have for Aikido. Good in the sense of the people being friendly, welcoming, relaxed, sincere, committed, and yet humble. And I think Aikido promotes these qualities in people.
What would you say to someone who would like to try Aikido or to a beginner?
I'd recommend Aikido to anybody… any age, shape, size, whatever. If you've practiced another martial art before… it won't help you very much, I'm afraid. In some ways, it's actually beneficial perhaps to be a complete beginner, as then you have a "blank slate", so to speak, and therefore more natural Shoshin (Beginner's Mind, as it is often called). But Aikido is for everyone, and many people from all backgrounds and ability levels and whatever all practice Aikido and enjoy it…
In our own dojo, we have a lady who practices in a wheelchair, when her fairly busy life permits it… (she sits to the side of the mat, we take turns to go off and practice with her… it's actually quite interesting, how Aikido techniques can be adapted to be just as "good" from a wheelchair, and done on somebody in a wheelchair, without her being at any disadvantage). We also have a 79-year-old practitioner who only started about 5 years ago. If these people can take up Aikido, you can.
Any special dream in your martial practice ?
To be perfect at Aikido. Of course, it's very unlikely that I ever will, it's highly questionable whether anyone can ever reach the point of not being able to improve further. Even O Sensei said himself that he was still learning when he was in his eighties… but then, it's the path that matters, and that one is proceeding towards the goal… actually reaching it isn't nearly as important, in my opinion.
Thank you
July, 2004
July, 2004