Photos: Shihan Donovan Waite Seminar
[Written by John Manderson and Chris Ingham] Sensei Donovan Waite of Philadelphia’s Aikido of Center City, 7th Dan-Shihan (7th degree black belt) is a world traveler recently teaching a seminar in Hungary before flying home to refresh his luggage for his trip to Bermuda for Bermuda Aikikai’s summer seminar.
He has conducted many Aikido seminars in various cities of North, Central, & South America, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, & South East Asia. Beginning Aikido at age eight with Ralph Reynolds Sensei in Birmingham, England, Sensei Waite has a depth of Aikido that has been a privilege to have been part of with his seminar here in Bermuda this past weekend.
Starting Friday evening, the school full of eager students Sensei Waite went through some of the basic Aikido movements including how to roll and fall safely.
Aikido takes a natural movement and uses this along with the momentum of an attacker to steal their balance and harmonize with their energy and completing the movement with no intention of harming them. Aikido is very strong martial art born from Aiki-Jujutsu which uses a lot of throws and joint locks to subdue an opponent in as peaceful and non-harming way as possible.
Master Morihei Useshiba, founder of Aikido, known as O’Sensei, built his philosophy on harmony and Sensei Waite like all Aikido instructors has taken this to heart demonstrating this with his techniques throughout the weekend.
Sensei Collins Smith 6th Dan Shidoin spent many hours of his own training and development in the same dojo in New York as sensei Donovan. He also wishes to extend his personal thanks for Sensei Donovan making time to visit with us and spend time with him again after so many years. He is of course welcome to return again whenever he wishes.
- Photos by John Manderson
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Balance of the mind, body, spirit still being taught through traditional martial art is refreshing to see. Invest in programs (ways of life) like these and you will find that our youth will be more likely to channel their energies into something positive and meaningful.