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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

Often misunderstood and much disparaged in recent year, we chat about Aikido as a martial art and other related matters. Joining me from Madrid, Spain is Jose Mosquera who trained in Aikido of London for several years before returning to his native country. Jose has a colourful history that encompasses academia, security work, zen and martial arts, an unlikely mix of activity.

As we slowly come out of the pandemic lockdown it seemed appropriate to chat about the last 12 months. The impact, both positive and negative on our daily lives. Training and looking ahead to returning to the mat. The guest today is Ivan Melo a senior member and teach at Aikido of London. Ivan is also a music teacher and plays the guitar professionally.

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. He runs his own dojo in Burton upon Trent, Ishinjuku. You can find an article I wrote a few years ago about our relationship over the years at https://www.upsideinside.co.uk/2019/04/16/a-journey-with-friends-richard-edmunds/ The full podcast is available on Patreon.

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 full edition is now available on Patreon at this link. Ivan Melo is a senior instructor at Aikido of London.

The first episode of season 2 in The Aikido of London Discussion Series. Erdjan Eker joins in to chat about the importance of the grip in training. This is a short excerpt and the full edition can be found on Patreon at this link. Erdjan Eker is a senior instructor at Aikido of London.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

Yanti Amos has a strong background in Yoga and Shotokan Karate. She is the founder of a highly successful Yoga studio EarthYogaNYC, in Manhattan and joins me from Norfolk, England. We discuss her experience regarding the interplay of Yoga and Karate in her life and the role of leadership. 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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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 Alex Barrera is considered one of the references of product communication and organizational storytelling in Europe. He has co-founded several startups, including the European technolgy publication tech.eu or the startup accelerator Tetuan Valley where he's worked in a range of fields, including product development, marketing, fund raising and communication and pitching expert. He also has extensive experience with different multinational corporations, where he's worked managing agile, reputation, innovation and strategic communication projects. He's also worked with several government organizations from different countries as a communication expert as well as with diverse organizations in the technology space. Alex Barrera is also a renowned international keynote speaker. With more than a decade of experience, he's been featured in prominent global conferences. As an experience speaker, he's an expert in delivering powerful and high impact presentations for any kind of audience. He's a member of the Global Shapers network from the World Economic Forum, Sandbox network ambassador, Startup Digest curator in Madrid, Certified Scrum Master and he sits on the board of several technology companies as investor and advisor. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

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. You can find out more about Aikido training at the Aikido of London website and articles and essays on Aikido by Ismail Hasan at Upside Inside.

Cathy Humphries and Olya Kolchyna discuss their point of view as a beginner and a new teacher, respectively. You can find out more about Aikido and training at the Aikido of London website.

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." You can find out more about Aikido and executive coaching and training at the Aikido of London website.

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. You can find out more about Aikido and Iaido at the Aikido of London website.