Greetings fellow Aiki devotees,
My names Dave Hood and hail from the metropolis of Christchurch, New Zealand.
I train and teach at this cities original (but currently small) Aikido club, the Canterbury Aikido Club.
Have been there since its origins and still allow by body on the mat for each of the three weekly sessions.
My, and my club's history, pretty much parallel each other and along with our affiliations / associations, have been quite varied.
Originally I saw Aikido while at High School, and the then art teacher put on a demo in the school hall, which was my very first introduction to Aikido. Well, mmmm
years later, I'm still at it, and while they have been un-interrupted years, I believe many of them are the same year(s).
We are now affiliated to an organization based in Tasmania, Australia, this being the Fuji Ryu Aikido Federation of Australasia and have been blessed with having a very understanding Shihan, Tim Waters. He would have to be understanding to tolerate all my failings and ‘ideas'.
Like so many that are currently training, those that have now stopped or passed on, and no doubt those still to come, I am constantly amazed at how you find Aikido's ability to stretch you and challenge you, both as a student and as a teacher. The energy and spirit that you get back from your students is in no small way, the life blood of people like me.
I can say I am truly blessed, as long as I have students that show the qualities as those I currently teach.
See you in the forums
Dave Hood
