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Article Page
 | Members Aikido Stories
Hi, my name is Dave and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about how I came to Aikido and what Aikido has meant to me.
It was my son who wanted to learn a Martial Art, but which one? We didn’t know. A friend of mine from work told me of his training in Aikido with Sensei Jon Stokoe. "What’s that"? I remember saying, "Come and watch" he replied, so my son and I did just that.
In spite the obvious age gap between father and son we both found Aikido to be appealing and impressive and so decided to give it a try. It must be some 16 years now since that first ever lesson, yet I can still remember how nervous I felt as I got changed in preparation for that lesson. Can I do this? Will I get hurt? And many other questions sprang to mind that day. Any way here I am 10 years on doing better than I could ever have imagined, and yes, unhurt. By the way in case you’re wondering my son is still there to.
Aikido to me has meant many things and being a member of a good Aikido club is like being a member of a big family, where everyone has something to give as well as something to learn. Giving me much more than just the chance to train in a martial art Aikido has provided me with:
A regular source of exercise.
A release for the day to day stress of life.
The chance to socialise with others as we help each other become the best we can.
; The building of my self-confidence.
Trips away giving me the chance to meet and train with others from all over the country.
The self-satisfaction of achieving something that I thought I would never achieve.
An excellent way to relax.
An effective form of self defence.
And much more.
Don't let the words "Martial Art" put you off. Aikido has so much more to offer and no one is there to hurt you. My teenage daughter now also trains at the CUA Aikido along side all those sweaty male bodies. Can't see the attraction, can you? But seriously it has already helped her more than I can say after only training for a short period of time. So my advice to you all, men and women, old or young is to make a start.
During the past 16 years I have from time to time allowed life to take me over, and although I never forgot Aikido I neglected my training on occasions. This has been my biggest regret and I am now happy to be back to regular practice.
I have often been asked what my favorite technique is and if I am to be honest I have not got a favorite. After all there are that many techniques and variations of techniques that it takes me all my time to try and remember them. Besides, to have a favorite would most probably lead me to try an inappropriate technique instead of the right one. However, if I were to be asked what I thought was the most important technique that I had learned I would have to say "ukemi" (the art of falling). Learning to react as a technique is being applied to me by performing an appropriate role or break fall is what I believe has prevented me from being hurt. After all you can't practice if you're hurt so how could I hope to improve or learn new techniques if I can't practice?
I would also like to take this time to say thanks to the CUA Aikido Club for all that it has done for me.
Hope to see some of you at our club soon.
Dave Nergaard. CUA Aikido Tyneside Club.
2006
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'we'll be back'
 | WALES TRIP
It was the early hours of the morning on the 30/08/2000 when the geordies began to stir. The meeting place was to be at Sensei Stokoes' strong hold in South Shields at an ungodly 0330hrs (3:30am for those not conversant with the 24hr clock). Aikido-ka from all over the Country were to invade Wales, and it was time for us geordies from the 'CUA Aikido Union' to join them at the 'Shin-Gi-Tai Aikido Societies' summer camp.
With full tanks of fuel and armed with our sandwiches, maps, and of cause our battle dress (dogi's) we set off in convoy to invade the Welsh. The target area was a little fishing village by the name of Bury Port in the south of the Welsh territories. A journey of some 400 miles. Unperturbed we progressed from one motorway to another clocking up the miles, with stops to stretch our legs and check on our progress. Finally arriving at our digs at 1200hrs (midday).
Battle wasn't due to commence until 1400hrs (2pm) so time was taken to eat and drink the odd pint, then off to our rooms to prepare for the session ahead before going to the dojo (an old converted church hall) a little over 100 yards from our digs. As we entered the dojo you could feel the excitement in the air, we had arrived, and we knew it. The Welsh leader Sensei Gwynne Jones 7th dan from our hosts the 'Shin-Gi-Tai Aikido Society Wales' was having a well-earned rest for this session, have already put in a full week before we arrived. So this session was open to guest instructors, and five Sensei including Sensei Stokoe took us through our paces.
Although exhausted from our journey everyone came to life as Sensei Stokoe started the practice. All given a sizzling display of their own style of Aikido, with excellent tuition. The dojo was packed with Aikido-ka of all grades from lower kye to 4th and 5th Dan's all working together to develop our Aikido. An experience that any serious Aikido-ka should not miss. Time passed quickly, and all to soon the session came to an end for the day.
So it was off to the digs for a shower and a meal before joining our hosts at the pub for a few well-earned drinks and a chance to renew old friendships and forge new ones. The place was packed from wall to wall, and everyone had a good night as we all forgot how tired we were.
The next day began in the dojo with all ready to go by 1100hrs (11am) and for us geordies the first chance this year to be face to face with Sensei Jones. The lesson began slowly as we warmed up our tired bodies, but it wasn't long before things heated up. I remember that on one technique Sensei asked us to try and train with some one your own size. I stood there in the middle of the dojo at my full height of 5'6" (yes 5 feet 6 inches) and looked around, I was surrounded by giants, good job my name is David eh!
The Session finished with a good old sweat buster (as most sessions did), with Sensei Jones asking us to practice all the techniques shown that morning one after another before closing the session. After a short rest it was back for the next one, and off we went again. The day's sessions would go on until 2130hrs that night, yes that’s right 9:30pm. Just in time to go back to the pub for some light refreshment.
The next day once again started at 1100hrs. This was not only the last day, but for many the most nervous as it was time for the Dan Gradings (black belt). All those taken a grading were down one side of the dojo with all the rest (who would be uke's for the day) down the other side. This was to be a full and exciting day and it wasn't long before those taken their gradings stated to give their demonstration.
Technique after technique was called out and everyone worked hard. First it was open hand techniques, followed by bokken (wooden sword) jo (wooden staff) and tando (knife) techniques. This was then followed with each of those taken a grading performing a randori (free practice) against 4 and sometimes 5 uke's. Uke's fell by the hand full with an impressive demonstration by all, with each gaining a well earned round of applause.
Then it was time to find out how well each of them had done. As expected not all were successful. However, none need be shamed as everyone give their best and it was a pleasure to watch and be an uke to a wonderful group of people, all full of the Aiki spirit. I would like to congratulate them all, successful or not.
I would like especially to congratulate Sensei Jon Stokoe on being awarded his 5th dan (well deserved) and Aiden on his 2nd dan after an outstanding performance, both of the CUA Aikido Union. WELL DONE.
So that was it for another year. But as we nurtured our aching bodies back into the cars for the 400 mile journey home, grateful to the 'Shin-Gi-Tai Aikido Society Wales' and the people of Bury Port for their hospitality we vowed, as Arnie would say, 'we'll be back'.
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