Discussions with Aikido of London

Gina and Miroslav discuss the subject of Children and in particular relation to Aikido. Gina has taught children in London for several years so comes with a lot of experience and of course she and Miroslav are parents with their daughter Aurelia. It is a complex subject and how Aikido can be a positive force for kids development is a fascinating subject. The couple also see their own daughters growth and as practicing Aikidoka this also gives them a different perspective in her development. 

The couple Gina has a background in Architecture and design while Miroslav is a professional Accountant. Both trained in Aikido of London several years before moving to Spain.

This is an excerpt from my recent discussion with Richard Edmunds. Richard is a new guest for the Discussion Series but certainly not new to Aikido as he explains why, when and how he started. Richard is an Osteopath and a 30 year strong veteran of Aikido having spent an intensive 6 months in San Diego Aikikai with Chiba Sensei and where I first met him back in 1992.

This is an excerpt from my recent discussion with Ivan Melo. He asks the question of teaching method. A vast subject and how each teacher and "style" looks at ways to transmit Aikido.

The first episode of season 2 in The Aikido of London Discussion Series. Erdjan Eker joins me again to chat about the importance of the grip in training. A seemingly small topic but one with considerable ramifications for our type of training.

Erdj is an Architect and one of the senior most students at Aikido of London with over 18 years in training.

I am joined by Beth Harris and Yanti Amos as they bring their differing perspectives on training and staying new. Beth is only 3 years into Aikido  while Yanti brings in considerable experience in her Karate and Yoga in which she is both practitioner and teacher.

Yanti Amos

Yanti Amos founded Earth YogaNYC, a hot power vinyasa studio on the Upper East Side in 2009, with her Shotokan master husband Richard.

As a former international lawyer who pivoted into health and wellness, Yanti is no stranger to transitions and being steadfast through change.

She sold her yoga studio last year and now travels to teach yoga and karate globally. She is also a fourth degree black belt in Shotokan karate.

An enthusiastic advocate of women & minorities in sports, her passions include entrepreneurship and mentoring. She is known in New York and worldwide, as a teacher who bridges the gap between the business world and the realm of yoga & meditation. She has led numerous yoga teacher trainings and continues to train women leaders in the WTKO, her husband's international karate organization.

In 2019 Yanti was honored as a lululemon Ambassador at the New York East 66th store.

Nothing can have prepared us for what we as a race are experiencing today. Not even the political turmoil in Indonesia in the late 90's when gunfire & tear gas in the streets was a daily occurrence, or living through personal injury, divorce, pivoting careers and knowing family tragedy. As a 56 year old yogini and meditator, Yanti has never been more ready to share her wisdom and life experience while we as a collective work together through this unprecedented world pandemic.

She believes that yoga and karate are for everyone, no matter your age. Yanti looks forward to leading you through regular mind body practices to maintain a happy, confident mindset & strong immune system through these uncertain times.

A discussion about creativity in Aikido and martial art with Erdjan Eker. Erdj is an Architect and one of the senior most students at Aikido of London with over 17 years in training.

Joining me today are 2 couples - Ivan and Cathy. Olya and Rodrigo. They are couples who train together and have a fascinating journey on how being in a relationship and training and having even met through Aikido, in the case Olya and Rodrigo, has added to the experience.

We return to Madrid as Gina and Miroslav joins me to discuss Aikido and friendship and why it can be special. Gina has a background in Architecture and design while Miroslav is a professional Accountant. Both trained in Aikido of London several years before moving to Spain.

Philipp Schiffer joins me from Cologne, Germany as we chat about the teacher student relationship in Aikido but also in academia. Philipp has been training in Aikido for 3 years and comes from a strong academic background as a PhD in Biology and has taught in UCL and Cologne.

Alex Barrera joins me from Madrid, Spain as we discuss positive habit forming in training and how the traditional Japanese arts are for human self betterment when practiced over a long term period.

Alex Barrera
Chief WOWness Officer / Founder

Beth has only been training in Aikido for a little over 2 years and started at 16 years of age. She is an avid Japanophile and getting ready for University life as a future Vet. Our discussion mainly centres around what attracted her to Aikido and her views as a beginner.

Jose Mosquera joins me from Madrid, Spain. Jose is a senior executive in the world of finance with a strong Zen background. We look into Zen culture and to how it may influence Aikido.

Stevie Boyle is the Head teacher at Aikido of Wishaw in Cumbernauld, Scotland. He recently celebrated the 30th Anniversary of his dojo. Our discussion today is firstly on expectations when he first visited San Diego in 1994 and we also chat about the teacher student relationship.  

Yahe Solomon was an Uchi Deshi (professional student) with Chiba Sensei in San Diego where we first met in the 80's.  He joins me from Bozeman, Montana, USA in a podcast on "Martiality" in Aikido.

Cathy Humphries and Olya Kolchyna discuss their point of view as a beginner and a new teacher, respectively.

Today's guest is Leon Gauman - Director Product and Strategy, Elsewhen. We will discuss "the relevance of Aikido in modern times and how Aikido has helped him in dealing with high pressure and responsibility in his work." 

We discuss how these two seemingly different martial arts, one relatively new and the other rooted in deep Japanese tradition. My guest today is Ivan Melo.