Wendy Walker

When I wrote "First Steps in Aikido", I had been training for years, ten hours or more a week with weekend courses at least once a month; absolute devotion! After training with Master Tanaka, 9th Dan in Tokyo, we did a tour of the holy temples in the south of Japan and it was after this visit that I was inspired to write an instruction book of Aikido. I wanted a way to make an extremely complicated and difficult art more simple.

In my classes, I demonstrated principles through techniques. I saw many teachers showing techniques without explanation and no one could do the technique so principles had to come first. As a small 9 stone woman the proof of this was my ability to deal with men far bigger and stronger. Even my ungraded women had no problem with a "world champion" black belt karateka.

Aikido and Reiki developed my Ki and my perceptions. I have been accused of hero worship but extraordinary men are few and far between. Master Tanaka was a spiritual teacher/master and I have had the privilege of seeing a golden halo around his head whilst he was meditating and I felt the heat energy he could generate from his eyes.

Pat Stratford, 6th Dan was a little old man when I knew him. He had fought off cancer and could easily fight off his younger, strong and fit black belts who forever tested his skills.

Sadly I stopped my classes and training some years ago and took up more age appropriate Ballroom and Latin dance instead. Aikido still has a hold on me though and given a chance my fanaticism would return. Reiki and spiritual practices are a large part of my life and some day I may write about all the weird experiences that have led me to this current place.