On Sunday 10th March we—about forty or so of us—gathered at the White Rose hombu dojo for our spring course. In previous years we’ve used local sports centres, but now we were in our own dojo. People from all of the White Rose UK dojos attended, from all points of the compass.
Morning
After the warm-up exercises Sensei Riley started with tai no henko, a simple blending exercise, at least it looks simple. Like a lot of Aikido it has layers of subtlety and from their Sensei Riley evolved this blending exercise into ways of moving the attacker’s centre and taking their balance, achieving this in response to a more vigorous attack (yokomen uchi, a strike to the side of the head) and then adding on a more “positive” ending.
(All the time we were, of course, supposed to focus on the attacker and on our own technique, but some of us couldn’t help noticing it was snowing outside.)
The morning flew by, as it often does when doing aikido. Each technique Sensei demonstrated picked up on aspects we needed to focus on; hand position, centre, distance from the attacker. In each round of practise we changed partners, always practising with someone different, a different physique or grade or age.
(On a personal note: this is something I’ve always appreciated about our Aikido practise, there’s never one set of techniques for higher grades and a simpler set of techniques for lower grades. Everyone practises the same, together, lower grades train with higher grades who coach them and support them, higher grades train with each other (often with a bit more “vigour”), all respectful of the relative ability of their partner.)
The break for lunch came too quickly (it seemed) and over lunch the table and chairs were set out ready for the grading panel.
Gradings and Sensei Noddings Tuition
In the first part of the afternoon session were two senior gradings; Gary Elphick taking his sandan (3rd Dan black belt) examination, and Lee Dobson his nidan (2nd Dan). Each of the candidates were asked to demonstrate a range 
of techniques from various attackers, all of them senior grades, both empty hand technique and against weapons.
At the end of the gradings the panel retired to their room to deliberate and Sensei Pete Noddings took the class. I can imagine someone might look at Sensei Noddings and think because of his physique (he’s a big lad!) he would focus on a strong and powerful technique, but he had the class focus on blending with an attack and on the importance of staying relaxed to better use the attacker’s force against them.
Over the hour Sensei Noddings developed the response to the attack into a more ‘robust’ response. Our Aikido might emphasise a relaxed posture but it can also be strong and dynamic.
Final Training Session
After a quick water break Sensei Riley, having finished deliberating on the gradings, took the class for the rest of the afternoon. Different techniques, an emphasis on avoiding the initial attack (a classical attack to the side of the head) to better disrupt the attacker’s posture, before practising against a more practical roundhouse punch to the head. As the Sensei of the White Rose often mention, we might practise traditional Aikido but it is still a martial art, and as such has to work in the martial sense.
In one round of practise I found I could easily remain relaxed and defeat the incoming roundhouse punch, cutting down and taking the attacker to the floor; at least I could when the attacker was a grade or two lower than myself. When I partnered Sensei Paul Derrick (7th Dan), my technique didn’t work anymore. There’s always more to learn, always someone to learn from.
All too soon Sensei Riley was demonstrating a back-stretch exercise, which heralded the end of the day. All that remained were for Sensei to announce the results of the gradings (Gary and Lee both passed, congratulations to them) and the customary group photo.
And so ended our first Spring Course in our own hombu dojo, a day of high class instruction from senior Aikido Sensei, and practise with enthusiastic and committed aikidoka.
Simon Stanton, 4th Dan
