About Us
History of Essex Aikido (Shoshinkan)
Present day Shoshinkan senior instructors Shaun Hoddy Sensei 7th Dan七 段 Tomiki Aikido BAA, 6th Dan 六段 JAA, 1st Dan 初段 Tai-Ho-Jutsu & Greg Barton Sensei 5th Dan五 段 (Retired) were both founder members and have been practising and teaching Tomiki Aikido since 1975. They both started their Aikido under the instruction of Roland Tann 1st Dan.
Shaun Hoddy Sense is technically graded to the rank of 6th Dan 六段 under the auspice of the Japan Aikido Association. He is also a JAA Shihan Dai for the UK. In May 2017 Shaun Hoddy Sensei was graded to the rank of 7th Dan七段 by the British Aikido Association (BAA). Shaun Hoddy Sensei is a member of the BAA technical committee.
Essex Aikido Dojo (Shoshinkan) is affiliated to the Japan Aikido Association (JAA) and the International Tomiki Aikido Federation (ITAF).
Shaun Hoddy Sensei has taught Tomiki Aikido at both national and international seminars and has been featured in Combat Magazine, Irish Fighters and MAI Magazine.
Shaun Hoddy has been a student of Dr Lee Ah Loi Shihan 8th Dan Tomiki Aikido JAA, 7th Dan Iai-do ZNKR, 7th Dan Jodo ZNKR and Ken Broome Shihan 7th Dan JAA since 1980 and has competed both nationally and internationally in both Kata & Randori.
Dr Lee is the worlds highest ranking female Tomiki Aikidoka and spent time in Japan studying under the instruction of Kenji Tomiki 9th Dan and Hideo Ohba 9th Dan the founders of the Tomiki/ Shodokan system of Aikido. Dr Lee is recognised as a world-renowned authority on Koryu Kata.
Andy Wisbey Sensei 6th Dan 六段 started his Aikido career in 1980 at Westbury Aikido Club under the instruction of John Spurgeon. He then went onto study at the London Shodokan with the late Phil Newcombe 7th Dan and was one of the first people in the UK to grade to 1st Dan within the Shodokan system. Andy Wisbey is also a qualified Yoga Instructor and teaches at Essex Conscious Yoga.
Andy Wisbey Sensei was a founder member of South Woodham Shodokan Aikido Club.
In 1992 Essex Aikido Dojo opened a class at Markhams Chase Basildon. Andy Wisbey Sensei became a member of our Dojo, becoming a valued member, and later an instructor progressing through the technical ranks to Rokudan (6th Dan 六段 Black Belt).
Martial Arts classes with Essex Aikido Dojo (Shoshinkan) are structured around a curriculum that allow students to progress through their grades at their own pace.
As a BAA affiliated club any member who passes a Dan grade will be issued with a British Aikido Association Dan grade certificate (Menjo) and BAA Dan grades are recognised by the Worldwide Sports Aikido Federation.
If students wishes, they can also register their Dan grades with the Japan Aikido Association. On payment of the Menjo fees they will receive a Dan grade certificate (Menjo) from Japan. Note fees subject to change due to exchange rates.
For students who are interested in competitive Aikido the club has produced Junior, Youth and Adult national champions.
Competitive Aikido has various catagories that all ages can participate in.
- Kata – Forms that are demonstrated and judged for correct applicaton.
- Tanto Randori – Aikido sparring where one of the competitors is armed with a foam tanto (knife) scoring point with a clean prescribed attacks.Toshu the unarmed Aikidoka scores by applying throws and locks. The bout is split into two halves so that both competitors perform both roles.
- Toshu Randori – Aikido sparring where both Aikidoka are trying to apply techniques.
- Ninnin Dori – Three Aikidoka take part with two attacking one, changing rolls after a prescibed time. Ninnin Dori is judged on the variation of techniques, correct poture and application techniques.
Tomiki Aikido /Shodokan Aikido can be a life long hobby as there is not a requirement for students to participate in competition for grade promotion.
For those who are interested in Japanese weapons, Tomiki Aikido has Bokken (sword) Jo / Yari (spear) Tanto (knife) within the syllabus.
Classes offer an enjoyable way to become fitter learning new life skills.
