I have read comments from other Aikidoka that Aikido used to be rougher and more physical. Do you agree to this, and if so why?

Sensei Riley:

Yes. Aikido was more physical 20/30 years ago. The reasons being, we didn't have the tuition we have today or the experience. We relied on our physical strength if we couldn't get a technique to work. A lot of the early students at the White Rose had experience in other arts and wouldn't go down just for the sake of it, so practice did tend to be more on the physical side rather then on the theory.

The ladies who practiced were especially tough and practiced very hard. Now we have a lot more depth to our Aikido and understand the theory a lot more, so our Aikido can be physical but not brutal. I think most people prefer this who practice with us now. Not as many people come from other arts like before, so we can spend more time on the basic principles rather then proving Aikido is effective all the time.

What changes in Aikido itself have you seen over the past 30 years?

Sensei Riley:

One of the biggest changes is the level of tuition on offer now. I remember a 3rd Dan coming to teach one Sunday evening, it was amazing as a shodan was something special 30 years ago. Now we have 3rd Dan's and above teaching in all the White Rose dojo's.

Another big change is the advent of video's and DVD's. These have helped with the promotion of Aikido, we even have one ourselves. Perhaps on the negative side, students don't tend to "get into" Aikido like we did in the early days. We would be training in the dojo 3 to 4 times a week and then going over things at friend's houses, when not on the mat. We were always doing or thinking of Aikido. Now a student who does more then 1 class a week is classed as keen! How things have changed.

Do you feel that without Aikido, you may have matured into a different person altogether?

Sensei Riley:

I am sure I would. I don't know in what way as I don't have a crystal ball, but Aikido has given me many things like, friends around the world, very good and loyal friends within the White Rose Aikikai, and my wife who I met practicing Aikido and it calmed me, well a little.

I did used to be a little bit firery in my younger days, but with age and the principles, we try to work with Aikido. I am getting there. I don't think Sensei Maloney believes me when I tell him this "laugh". But on a serious note, Aikido has changed me. Now I am the head of the association and the responsibility for it has grown with me. I started at the beginning just like everyone.

How do you feel about Aikido now, compared to when you were Shodan?

Sensei Riley:

I feel much more comfortable in my Aikido now compared to when I was a Shodan. Obviously one of the things I miss are the vigorous practices Sensei Hemmings and I used to have. Age and teaching duties have curbed these, but I still like to get on the mat and do a bit.

Another thing is I never envisaged the club I started would progress to where we are today, with so many students enjoying my Aikido. Students tend to see you as a senior grade or Sensei, but I have travelled the path and it hasn't always been plain sailing from novice to 6th Dan. I have had to work hard to get what we have today.

What do you enjoy most about Aikido?

Sensei Riley:

Drinking! "laugh" Sorry!

I enjoy teaching and watching my students progress from having two left feet, to them grasping the enjoyment of Aikido. But going back to the drinking, the social side to Aikido is very laid back wherever you go, even if you don't drink. I also very much enjoy the travel that goes with Aikido. I have practiced and taught in several countries and all over the UK.

Continued....