Sensei Mark Berry
I have had a life long interest in Martial Arts. Starting at the age of 8 where I studied the art of Judo for about 8 years giving up in my early teens. I gave up Judo as I became disolusioned with the competition and the lengths some people were prepared to go to to win contents. This for me did not seem the true essence of a Martial Art..
After a break from Martial Arts at the age of 21 I found myself looking for an a new challenge in and I set about trying out a number of new Martial Arts. I attended a Tia Chi class with Master Che at Verwood Sports Centre and as I was leaving the building I saw a strange sight. One guy in what appeared to be a Karate Suit and a black skirt being attacked by three or four people. He seemed to blend with their every move, effortlesly throwing them across the mat. This lasted for some 10 minutes and I stood watching mesmorised by how easily he seemed to dea lwith his attackers. This it turned out, was my first Teacher Sensei Max Moss.
I studied under Sensei Moss for nearly two years and learnt so much about moving and blending from him. The black skirt it turns out is a Hakama or traditional Japanese Trousers, in many styles of aikido worn by teachers. Sadly after two years, a change in circumstances meant Sensei Max had to move on to a new area and I changed clubs.
During this time I had the experience of attending courses with two amazing Japanese teachers.
Sesnei Kanetsuka was at this time one of the few Japanese teachers resident in the UK. Being young and foolish three of us yellow belts travelled up to Oxford to visit him in his home dojo. It was an amazing lesson and he was such a nice person. I saw things that atounded me then and I may have even been a little sceptical about, but I have a better understanding now.
Sensei Yamaguchi was visiting from Japan and I attend a weekend course at Oxford with a friend. He really blew me away. I watched him deal with five attacking black belts. These were bug guys and they were not holding back in their attack. He dealt with them, put them in one big pile on the mat all the time with a big smile on his face.
I had been attending Sunday classes under Sensei Paul McGlone and I now transferred to a new style of Aikido Iwama Ryu. Its difficulyt to describe Iwama Ryu aikido. I have tried and trained in a wide variety of different styles of aikiso and it is still the best I have come across. It has a strong foundatuion of Basic Tehnique and Sword Work, which I believe sets it apart from other styles.
With Sensei McGlone I progressed through the lower belts of aikido, this was the time I was training the hardest three of four times a week were not unusual and attending as many courses as I could, I could not get enough of aikido. After a few years I had an infection which left me unable to train for about a year. On returning to aikido I moved to a new teacher Sensei Peter Reynolds.
I had known Peter in Sensei McGlones Club and I moved with hime to his New Club New Forest Aikido. Sensei Peter has been my teacher for more than 10 years, During this time he has guidedme through my First and Second Dan grades he has been my inspiration and my role model and at the same time a good friend and mentor. I began my first class under Sensei Peter and I still see him as my teacher, although I do notspend as much time at his classes as I should do nowadays.
My work has taken me to many places in Europe and the United States, I often worked a way from hime sometimes three of rour weeks at a time. I have always tried to visit the local aikido club wherever I go. I have always had a warm reception and generally a glass of beer is involved in the post sesssion activties. Aikido people round the world are amazing they are always welcoming and friendly. This has resulted in some good friends. In particular Sensei Kevin Saliba in Malta where I generally visit once a year.
Sensei Ed Turner. I have known Sesnei Ed for most of my Aikido career. We started together under Sensei Max and followed the same path through Iwama Ryu Aikido. Ed is a true Martial Artist always looking to expand his skills and knowledge. After obtaining his Second Dan in Aikido Ed moved to the area of Pressure Points or kyusho jutsu and has reached fourth Dan in this Discipline. I train with Ed once a week where possible as this gives me a different perspective in Martila Arts.