About the Instructor/Contact Us
Instructor
I began training in martial arts at the age of 13, initially
studying modern systems such as Aikido. In 1990 I was introduced to the
traditional Japanese martial arts and began studying in the Bujinkan
school under the kind but extremely painful tutelage of Peter King
& Phil McNulty.
Before I had experienced these traditional systems I (somewhat
arrogantly) felt that I had a reasonable grasp of martial arts.
However, I was bowled over by the Bujinkan in terms of technique,
practicality, philosophy and informal culture.
I (mis)spent the next 4 years training every day, travelling to study
under all the senior instructors in the UK and abroad. After this
period of intensive training I chose to get a job & career and had
to cut my formal training down to just 2-3 times each week.
Between 1990 and 2003 I attended the vast majority of the European seminars
taught by the heir of the Bujinkan traditions, Dr Masaaki Hatsumi,
seeing him several times a year. Sadly in 2003 he stopped travelling
abroad to teach.
In 1993 I travelled to Japan to train with Dr Hatsumi and his senior
students for the first time. Since then I have trained in Japan every
year without fail, occaisionally visiting a few times a year.
Please note that this is not particularly unusual in the Bujinkan or
hard to do, but makes all the difference in terms of understanding.
My objective is to transmit the teachings of Dr Hatsumi / the Bujinkan
to the members of the club in as pure a way as possible. In my classes
I try my best to emulate the way that the art is taught in Japan.
We are very fortunate in London because there are also many excellent
black belts and shidoshi (ie 5th dan+) at the club who kindly help
members & beginners learn this amazing art.
Contact
Unfortunately due to the large number of phone calls received when I placed my phone number there I am unwilling do discuss training over the phone.
If you would like to discuss training rather than using email, then please feel free to come along during a class & I will be more than happy to take the time to answer any queries that you may have.