IAA Technical Advisor and Senior Aikidoka Aubrey Smith (England) returned to Ireland this summer to host the week long IAA Summer School, held in the new Whitefriar Aikido Dojo. Aubrey was accompanied by his two senior students (Steve & Bill ) and two instructors from the Milton Kynes Aikido Club.Aubrey Smith has over 30 years Aikido training behind him and still very much considers himself to be exploring the Art. His training method in England in very focused on checking out aspects of technique that others take for granted or simple learn by rote.

The Irish students get the benefit of all that they have been working on since the previous years visit. Every time they come they arrive with a fresh approach - which in turn creates new considerations and adventures. Aubrey Smith acknowledged that, up until last year, they were very much exploring the Power aspect of Aiki-waza (Aikido Technique) and have now moved on to a more flowing and dynamic expression of the same principles. This year he repeatedly stressed the dangers of depending solely upon the impact of the various Aikido locks and throws - The true technique is in not having to use the locks - it is letting the person do what they think they want to do - but within the control of your sphere and movement said Mr Smith. At the beginning this emphasis was a little awkward for some to embrace but, after the first couple of days, students were feeling more comfortable with it and understood the value of what was being offered. At the latter end of the week Aubrey had shifted the focus onto the danger of allowing any slack develop between Uke (attacker) and Nage (defender) and how easily this could happen without one being aware of it.

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