Category Archives: aikido
Dont Mess with Us! – Self Defence at Atworth Youth Club
On Saturday 26th January, Wiltshire Martial Arts (Seend Aikido Club) delivered a self-defence course at Atworth Youth Club.
The course was organized by Dawn Rossi, delivered by Matt Hill and ably assisted by David Stacey.
The participants, aged between 11 and 16, learn’t the simple principles of self-defence, practiced applying the principles in confrontational situations and learn’t the most important factor of all, how to avoid dangerous situations altogether.
The use of force is always a last resort, and the participants understood this point well.
Dawn Rossi, the Youth Club leader said, ‘Matt’s self-defence course exceeded my expectations. Judging by the laughter and questions all of the children were completely engaged from start to finish. I sat in on the whole course and it is so beneficial in teaching people to stay safe and avoid the danger of being attacked that I think that it should be mandatory for everyone!’
Matt says that Self Defence is mostly about being smart, staying aware and learning some simple principles that will stay with you and keep you safe for the rest of your life.
Matt is fully CRB cleared, A Nationally accredited Self Defence Coach and 5th Dan Aikido Instructor and Systema Instructor.
Matt teaches self-defence awareness and skills for organisations, schools and Individuals and teaches regular Martial Arts classes at Christie Miller Sports Centre in Melksham on Monday, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. For further Details contact Matt on 07584025206 or hillmattc@gmail.com.
Here is what the participants had to say:
‘It has really helped me’ – Sophie Bailey
‘It is a great course to learn the best ways to disrupt, disable and escape from an attacker’ – Holly Leake
‘This is great for your own safety and it follows the law’ – Gabriel
‘It is so easy to learn and you have a lot of fun’ – Lily De Malpas-Player
‘It was great fun very useful and an interesting course’ – Tom Yateman
‘Its really easy and fun’ – Tommy De Malpas-Player
‘It was good and I will use what I have learnt’ – Simon Hornby
‘Fun, exciting and you get to protect yourself from anything!’ – Tabitha Williams
‘Very useful to have in your mind’ – Maisie Leake
‘The course was very interesting, it was useful and I have learn’t a lot’ – Jessica Rendell
‘This course really helps you to defend yourself it is a great way to learn. Amazing course!’ – Abby Pearce
‘A fun non-violent way to become threat-free in the open free world’ – Harry Heptinstall
There is no better time to start or come back to Aikido than right now
So, a few days into the New Year, I hope that it is going well for you so far.
Statistically Monday 21st January is the bluest Monday of the year. I want to help you make sure that it is not.
There is no better time to come back to or to start Aikido. Full stop. Let me tell you why.
If you are thinking of trying Aikido for the first time you wont be alone. We have a core of new starters so we are spending a lot of time covering the basics which means that much of the teaching is really simple and accessible. The new starters have of course been made very welcome in the club and are already part of the team.
Make this year the one where you achieve that long term goal of reaching the next grade or level of proficiency. Maybe that elusive Shodan? We now have 6 black belt instructors in the club and a number of students who will be preparing to go for thier black belt test this year. Last year those going for thier Shodan were so keen that they did regular Saturday morning sessions at our new venue, Christie Miller Sports Centre in Melksham to prepare. And it worked, they passed with flying colours!
Taking up a new activity that engages and energises the body, mind and spirit will improve and enthuse all areas of your life. Pebbles in the pond. You will be amazed how the smallest changes reap big rewards over time. As the old saying goes, ‘Sowing an act creates a habit, sowing a habit creates a character and sowing a character creates a destiny.‘ Just the small one act of taking up a wholesome, healthy activity, with like minded companionship will reap rewards that are felt way beyond the walls of the dojo. Create the habit which has changed the lives of so many over the years.
Health is Wealth and exercise is the catalyst. As Jack Lalane said, ‘that’s what makes everything happen, your digestion, your elimination, your sex life, your skin, hair, everything about you depends on circulation. And how do you increase circulation? – Fun Exercise.
Martial Arts training is a fun and beneficial way to reap the benefits of exercise without the boredom of a gym or plodding the streets. According to Dr. Steven Blair of the University of South Carolina, just 30 minutes of exercise every day will garner all of the physical activity necessary to reduce your mortality rate by 50%.
According to Dr. Blair its not obesity that is shortening our lives, but lack of physical activity. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day will do this (think suburi, kettlebells, stretching, walking) and the evening is one of the best times to do this. Research shows that moderate exercise after a meal high in fat and calories can help immediately lower harmful levels of blood triglycerides.
And, you will be meeting regularly with some of the nicest, most genuine and helpful people you will ever have the pleasure to meet. I am immeasurably proud of the members of our club. They are always there for each other in support and friendship both on and off the mat. They are a very special group of people.
If you want to give yourself the best start to 2013 click here to sign up or sign back up and give yourself the energy, enthusiasm and motivation to make 2013 your best year yet. Monthly payments mean classes now start from as little as (£4.80 per session)
Still unsure – read what people are saying about training:
“Thank you Aikido, for welcoming me back on the mat after a year, for allowing me – for the small price of wearing the most unfetching outfit, trimming my nails down to nothing and bruising my arms to bits – to feel once again the magical flowing great buzz of beautiful aiki harmony, to throw great blackbelt men across the room again, and to experience that utterly exhausted sense of blissful peace at the end of the class.”
Miriam Zaccarelli
“Some of the most challenging and exciting moments of my life are connected to Seend Aikido club. I am thinking not only of Sensei Matt’s weekly classes but also his Woodland courses, Uchi Deshis, his amazing Aikido session amongst the megaliths of Stonehenge and last but not least my nail-biting shodan test. Until it actually happened, being awarded my black belt seemed very much like an impossible dream. When I look back on those unforgettable and truly life-changing moments, it is obvious that none of it would have happened without Sensei Matt’s inspiring teaching and vision. “Possibly the best Aikido dojo in the world” might sound like I am gushing but it is my sincere opinion.”
Isabelle Vinet
“The dojo is where we stand.” This commonly used quote in aikido truly represents Matt Hill’s ability to lead structured, safe and inspiring woodland courses. Matts skills lie in empowering the individual to look within and find that centre, the point of truth which connects us all to the universe”
Karl Durrant Templegate Aikido
“I first met Matt several years ago at an Aikido Seminar he organised, since then I have attended many Seminars, training sessions and Uchi Deshi experiences organised and run by Matt. I have found the experiences to be rewarding on many levels. Matt is an inspirational person, his welcoming friendly exterior belies an individual of immense character, determination and knowledge. On a practical level his seminars, events and training are all planned with military thoroughness, no detail is too small to ensure the smooth running of any endeavour. On a personal level no matter how big or complex the situation, Matt endeavours to ensure that each and every person is given the opportunity to grow and learn from the experience. I would heartily recommend anyone to grasp with both hands any opportunity to learn from such a gifted Teacher and communicator as Matt whether it be Aikido related or wild adventure themed. I for one have benefited greatly from Matt’s company and knowledge and fully intend to continue attending further courses and events as part of my own personal development journey.”
Phil Murrow
“My name is Paul Sparks and I attended Matt’s woodland Aikido course three years ago. I found it life changing for me as I confronted some personal fears, overcame them and went on to change my direction in life. I now have a successful organisation, www.lancashirebushcraft.co.uk , teach outdoor courses and activities regularly and become a permanent Aikido student of Matt. Matt is an inspirational teacher with lots to give to anyone who wishes to learn”
Paul Sparks
“Just wanted to thank you for a fantastic day on Saturday, really enjoyed it and took away some pretty profound realisations about my Aikido, my training and my general wellbeing. Truly inspired. Hope to see you again soon.”
Brian Murray.
Read more testimonials on the website here
Taking your Aikido to Genius Level in 2013
If I could encourage you to do three things to improve how you perform it would be these: get enough sleep; drink enough water, and goal setting. How many of us find ourselves drifting along in our training with no real focus to what we are doing? Aikido and the Martial Arts are such a vast topic that it helps to be specific in our approach to our training.
I want to help you to make 2013 a game changing and stunning year in your Aikido and Martial Arts Development. How best can we do that? Its no secret. We set a goal or two. This is the most powerful way I know of generating improvement and with consistency over time, getting us to an outstanding level.
There are four key stages.
- First, begin with the end in mind. We decide what we want to achieve out of the next 354 days of the year (yes eleven gone already!). So, think of where you would like to be in your Aikido a year from now. It could be that you want to improve your execution of a particular technique or principle. Maybe you want to emulate someone you know or have seen. For many it will be to reach our next grading. As an instructor maybe you want to grow your club, or improve your teaching. It doesn’t matter what the goal is as long as you can measure when you have achieved it.
- BIG P.S. It helps if you know why you want to achieve this goal. Motivation.
- Have a plan for getting there. Is it that you are going to attend every session? Or start making an extra session per week. Are you going to do 1 hour each weekend of suburi? Is it that you are going to add fitness training to your regime? Are you going to get up 30 mins earlier each day to train in the morning? Are you going to practice meditation daily to bring more focus and control to your Aikido? Are you going to start advertising to grow your club? Are you going to video your training once a month to critique yourself? Are you going to go on a seminar to expose yourself to new methods and experiences?
- Know if it is working – Next regularly monitor your have progress towards your goal in line with your plan. Get feedback from others in your clubs and use this post to update yourself and your peers.
Taking action: Now this post isn’t about positive thinking. I don’t go for that. Its not about setting a goal and hoping it will happen. Positive thinking says you stand in front of a mirror saying “I want big muscles, I want big muscles…” hoping they will appear. No, what you now need to do is work your plan to achieve your goal with passion and consistency and enjoy the feeling of being committed and on the path to genius level every step of the way.
So in summary you need to know what you want, why you want it, have a plan and then know if it is working. That simple. So when you post a reply below it might look something like this:
- What: I want to take a trip to Japan for 2 weeks from the 4th to the 18th November 2013
- Why: This is a lifetime ambition and this this will improve my aikido, my confidence and broaden my experience.
- How: I am saving £75 per month to fund it, doing morning suburi and asking Matt Sensei to request an approval from Hitohira Sensei.
Now visualise yourself achieving the goal – this is a topic all by itself and almost warrants a post of its own due to its power to create your future.
Finally: Commitment to paper is commitment to action. So today, give yourself a gift: Sit down with a nice cup of tea or coffee. Sharpen a pencil or turn on your computer and then write out where you want your Aikido and the next 354 days to take you. Then post it as a reply below. If commitment to paper is commitment to action, commitment to your peers doubles the motivation. It’s a lot easier than you may think. And the last tip – Don’t make it too easy otherwise on December 31st 2013 you’ll wish you had made it harder!
The 40 Aikido and life lessons that 2012 taught me
Here are 40 of the best lessons that I have learnt, had reinforced or found a new angle on in 2012: Hope they ring a few bells for you:
- If you’re not improving something at each session, you’re going stale and backwards.
- If you want an A-Level dojo, you can’t afford to settle for B-Level practice.
- Practice Atemi in your aikido.
- Practice against free attacks, punches, kicks, grabs, rugby tackles – taking the speed out of the training. This is where Takemusu lies.
- Regularly practice multiple attack work – it is vital to efficacy and understanding O’Sensei’s magic.
- When doing techniques look for complete precision. When doing randori look for takemusu.
- Get hit – done right this can be therapeutic, honestly! And it is very good for your budo.
- Transform your fitness and you’ll transform your Aikido.
- Don’t waste time in bickering about other styles, train instead.
- Exercising for 20 minutes first thing in the morning is a game-changer. As a teacher try to give your students exercises that they can do in their own time.
- It is when you least want to get up and go training that you are going to get the most out of it personally.
- Don’t do it if you’re not having fun. It is the job of the teacher to make training stretching and fun and the job of the students to bring enthusiasm to it.
- If you’re not scared a lot you’re not improving and growing very much.
- It’s never been easier to be of service to a large amount of people in aikido (and few things are as rewarding).
- People are craving transparency, authenticity and community. Give it to them through your dojo.
- Progress comes in hills and plateaus. Understand this and your approach to training becomes much more relaxed. (I’ve been working on integrating this lesson for years).
- Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax (When you relax, your brain shifts into alpha state–the time when real breakthroughs and those profound realisations present themselves).
- Change is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. (And without change, there is no progress).
- Dream big in your Aikido – plan a trip to Iwama, or Japan or a big seminar – push your boundaries. Aim for that which you think is out of reach.
- Pursue excellence versus chasing perfection.
- Celebrate small wins in your club and with your peers and you’ll unleash a huge amount of momentum and positive energy.
- “There is no purpose in wanting or pursuing many techniques. To master a technique, one needs to make each technique, one by one, his/her own.” – O’Sensei, Budo.
- “I don’t fear the man who has done 1000 kicks once, I fear the man who has done 1 kick 1000 times.” – Bruce Lee
- Begin with the end in mind: We should not lose sight of the fact that our aim in aikido is not to master techniques but to master the principles of aiki through the techniques.
- Delete ‘victimspeak’ from your training. No more “I can’t” and “It’s not possible” and “It’s so hard.” More “I will” and “This is awesome” and “I can”
- If you inspire one person each session, your class hasn’t been a waste. It’s been a blessing.
- Live an amazing path in Aikido but enjoy your life, family and friends along the way. What’s the point of becoming an Aikido legend but a failed human being.
- Look people in the eyes when you talk to them on the mat. Smile at people when you train. Say “please” to respect them. And “thank you” to appreciate them.
- Don’t be on time–Be early.
- The person who tries to master everything at once achieves nothing. Focus. Focus. Focus. **More on this with the goal planning to come
- Spend time in silence each day. You’ll never do O’Sensei level work if you’re over stimulated by technology.
- Your behaviour on the mat broadcasts your truest beliefs.
- To have the results only 5% of Martial artists in the world have, have the guts to do what only 5% of the Martial artists in the world are willing to do.
- World-class begins when you think you’ve done a great session but know you can do a better session.
- Everyone’s in Aikido Human Resources. And we are all there to develop the talents of the people we train with.
- Mediocrity is a mindset. Avoid the mental viruses of negative people.
- Problems and loss of motivation come to test your commitment to your goals, hopes and dreams.
- Begin to feel energised through your practice – be like a dynamo. You should generate Kokyu energy.
- At the end Budo is as much about what you take out as what you put in. Rid yourself of tension, fear, doubt, redundant and superfluous movement and unnatural or incorrect movement. Your movements need to be precise, calm and powerful.
- Use your time in Aikido to make the world a better place.
Enjoy your training and let 2013 take your Aikido to new heights.
Inspired by Robin Sharma’s 50 lessons of 2012. If you haven’t read his stuff check out, ‘The monk who sold his Ferrari’ – awesome book.
In Aiki,
Matt.
Sweden Camp Fri 06th – Mon 09th Sept 13
‘Profound, Inspiring, rejuvenating’
Set in the centre of the stunning Swedish forests and lakes this is more than just a martial arts course; the course will take you on a journey of exploration into wellbeing, relaxation, martial effectiveness, confidence, awareness and a deeper understanding of yourself and your environment.
INSTRUCTORS: Matt Hill 5th Dan Aikido, Parachute Regiment Captain and Systema Instructor in Training and Dirk Hanzic – 4th Dan Aikido, over 35 years experience in Martial arts including Kali, Iaido, Jodo, Judo and Kenpo.
A bit about the course. You will immerse yourself in training for 7 hours per day or more. However, you will be suprised to find that rather than wearing you out this will restore you to an even greater level of physical and mental health and well-being. The training is quite unique blending ancient practices of martial, physical and mental training and wellbeing in a stunning natural setting. The course is:
- ALL INCLUSIVE Transportation from the airport to and from the camp, food and accommodation *accommodation ranges from cabin to tent or basha depending on your preference.
- COMPLETE RANGE of training including weapons, empty handed, multiple attack, awareness, kokyu power, striking, stretching and health promotion
- ALL TERRAIN training in the forest, fields and water and practice by day and night,
- SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS Ideal for beginners and advanced students due to the progressive nature of the training course building from basic concepts to advanced levels. *It is also suitable for all fitness levels as there is transportation to the campsite as well as the option of joining me for the walk in.
Comments from previous courses:
“An immensely enjoyable experience, that will not only put you back into the heart of nature but may also help to put you back in touch with who you really are”
“Thank you Matt for a very enjoyable weekend and a life changing experience”
“Sensei Matt’s Woodland Intensive Course was well balanced, unique and highly memorable ““ I could not have hoped for more in a weekend!”
“The Woodlands course gives those that wish to see a glimpse into what is important”
Read more testimonials here: https://www.matthill.co.uk/testimonials/
A short video to whet your appetite for the course:
Click below to pay and guarantee your space now. First 30 only will be guaranteed a space. Your place will only be reserved with payment.
Russia Seminar – St. Petersburg and Cherepovets
Sorry it has taken me a while to get this post up. Firstly a big thanks to Evgeniy, Victor and Slava for thier hospitality. Also a big thanks to Sasha and Olga for doing such a great job of showing me around thier lovely country. It was my first time in Russia and it was an experience to treasure. As promised here are some of the main teaching points from the seminar. Once again sorry it is a little late.
The courses Main themes:
- Multiple attack work
- All work must be done very slowly and with Uchi’s intent to hit uke where he is NOT where he is moving to.
- Stage 1 – uke closes his eyes and receives strikes – learn to blend and move with the strikes and not resist them.
- Stage 2 – without using hands uke uses hanmi to avoid strikes
- Stage 3 – uke avoids and strikes in the same movement
- Stage 4 – uke leads uchi into strikes and takes his balance
- Stage 5 – try all of the above.
- Dealing with Kicks
- Dealing with straight kicks is the same as dealing with a straight punch or stab. Come off line and enter.
- Dealing with roundhouse kicks is the same as a yokomen. You can enter early, stay out of range or receive it circularly.
- High kicks are less effective and easier to deal with as they will be slower, weaker, easier to see and leave the attacker unbalanced.
- For low kicks use your legs to do the same as your arms would at jodan level. Awase, receive, take balance and strike or throw.
- If you find yourself on the ground, DON’T curl up on your front in a combat situation. Stay on your back use your legs to defend yourself against dangerous stamps and kicks, create time and space for yourself and throw and stand up in the same movement to escape.
- Principles over Techniques
- “There is no purpose in wanting or pursuing many techniques. To master a technique, one needs to make each technique, one by one, his/her own.” – O’Sensei, Budo.
- “I don’t fear the man who has done 1000 kicks once, I fear the man who has done 1 kick 1000 times.” – Bruce Lee
- Begin with the end in mind: We should not lose sight of the fact that our aim in aikido is not to master techniques but to master the principles of aiki through the techniques.
- In aikido we have in excess of 600 techniques, variations, applications, etc. When you add the weapons to this it takes it to around 700. The focus of the seminar was to go deep into a small number of techniques to work on the principles rather than to gloss over many techniques shallowly.
- Takemusu Aiki – ‘Take’ means technique and ‘musu’ means to give birth. So literally if you are practicing Takemusu Aiki you should be giving birth to techniques and this by its nature means original techniques.
- You may have heard it said that takemusu aiki has an infinite number of techniques. I interpret this in that the way in which we could be attacked is infinite and therefore so is the way in which we respond using aiki principles – creating a new technique every time. This can then be extrapolated more easily to all manner of situations outside of combat really bringing takemusu to life.
- However, in aiki one of the main ways in which we learn the principles is through the techniques. These are where we find O’Sensei’s magic laid bare in the design and blueprints. So in essence it would be fair to say – the techniques are not an end in themselves but the practice of the techniques is very important.
- However, it is also important to balance practicing the principles through drills and exercises so that training stays fresh, alive, real and current (use current attacks also not just the traditional aikido ones). This brings the principles to life in their infinite variety and allows you to make it your own.
- Knife work:
- We looked at the key elements of managing the psyche and stress of knife work.
- As soon as a blade is pulled you have to breath and keep moving. The easiest target to hit is a still one.
- We practiced against slashing. Here it is important not to calculate get in rhythm with the attacker and move past as he comes towards you.
- Remember out of the slash and the stab, the stab is the most dangerous.
- Don’t look at the knife – look above your partners head. Take in the global picture.
- Have confidence, doubt will get you cut or killed.
- When entering be decisive, better to get cut once as you take the attacker out, than many times as you hesitate.
- To develop kokyu you need:
- Atemi – the last of the main themes was atemi
- “My aikido is 90% atemi.” O’Sensei
- Atemi is one of the ways of dealing with an attack in aikido:
- Atemi
- Avoid and escape
- Throw
- Pin
- De-escalate before the attack.
- Atemi is very rarely taught in Aikido, most people’s experience of it is through training in other martial arts.
- Aikido doesn’t engage in standing toe-to-toe and trading, blocking blows. We have to think about the attacker behind us.
- We need to make sure that it does not interrupt the natural movement of the techniques.
- We need to be able to have precision in the target areas (muscle not bone)
- A strike is a good placement then a push – just done fast. We did lots of exercises to practice this – push-ups on partners body, fist walks on partners body, striking partners body etc.
- We also need to think about the psychology of receiving a strike. You can’t let it rock you or shake you. This is managed through the breath, relaxing and being comfortable with being hit. You build this this by getting hit in a training environment.
If any of you have any questions please feel free to post them below. I look forward to seeing you all again.
In aiki,
Matt.
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