World renowned Aikidoka, Mary Heiny's, return visit to Ireland has been marked by her accepting an invitation to become a technical Advisor to the Irish Aikido Association. Senior Instructor Brigid Ruane was delighted that Mary Heiny accepted the position. Mary has a unique contribution to make to a broader understanding of Aikido and we are honoured that she will now sit on our technical Advisors panel.

Mary Heiny Sensei started on her Aikido journey in 1965 after watching O Sensei teach a class at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. The effect of this first encounter has inspired her through long hours of training and study. "As I watched, a part of me could not believe what I was seeing and sought a rational explanation while another part of me understood immediately that this man had attained a profound understanding of nature and possessed amazing power." After studying at Hombu Dojo from 1968 to 1973 with O-Sensei's direct students and with Hikitsuchi Sensei, 10th Dan, in Shingu, Heiny Sensei returned to the United States with her sandan (3rd Dan) and began teaching at the University of California in Santa Cruz.In 1976, she opened the Seattle School of Aikido and, nine years later, she turned that dojo over to her students. Heiny Sensei was invited to the Ottawa Aikikai in Canada in 1987 where she worked for three years developing the club into a full time dojo. When the school had grown to her satisfaction, she moved on to further personal training.

Most striking during the initial sessions, during Mary's initial visit to the Whitefriar Aikido Club, was the language Mary used in describing technique. She managed to integrate the most flowery Aikido expressions, notions of peace and harmony, into a realistic and practical context. She suggested we should be grateful for the Uke's (attackers) attention and that we should invite them into our movement. What gave further strength to her words was the fact that the concepts she articulated could be seen undoubtedly transformed into actuality in her demonstrations. Within the movement there was no hint of wanting to dominate or win over her Uke, and there was ample evidence of the genuine care and compassion she urged us to tap into. All of this, of course, served as welcome affirmation of the W.A.C's approach to Aikido.


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