New Book: Positive Aikido

A new book with a practical look at Aikido and itsanother visit to New Mexico, Sensei and his
history. The Co-authors are direct students of theassistant Anita Wilson along with Sensei's son
legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei fromperformed the demonstrations needed for the
1957. the following is an indepth look at how thelast four forms. Later, the first four forms were
book came into being.OUT NOW!Derek Eastman -re-shot with Sensei Rogers and one of his first
Aikido instructor helps write bookBracknellUSA students, Jeff Glaze of New Mexico. By this
Standard newspaper visits local dojoTo Order thistime, Positive Aikido was being developed as a
book from within the UK and EUbook.The agent and publishers we first contacted
countries:Trafford Publishing (UK) Limited. orderagreed, but the material was still fairly rough. More
deskphotos were shot and extensive digital work was
Enterprise House, Wistaston Road Businessdone on them to clarify technique. Additional
Centresections were added to describe combat strategy
Wistaston Road, CREWE, UK CW2 7RPand the philosophy behind "Positive Aikido".
local rate number 0845 230 9601Sections on ethics and morals within the arts
phone 01270 251396, fax 01270 254983were developed along with material dealing with
Email orders.To Order this book from any otherthe selection of a martial art for beginners, and of
country including the USA and Canada:Traffordcourse, the history section was strengthened and
Publishing order desksharpened.Lastly, a complete re-organisation of
2333 Government Street, Suite 6E, Victoria, BCthe material was accomplished with an addition of
Canada V8T 4P4a section on pins and control and weapons (jo and
toll-free 1-888-232-4444, fax 250-383-6804sword). The finished work is comprised of more
Email This book, an in-depth look at Ellis Schoolsthan 1000 photos, 600 hand-drawings and
of Tradtional Aikido's special brand of technique,complex explanations and tips to make the
strategy, philosophy as well as unique history, hastechniques of Aikido work properly. It includes
taken about 15 years to compile, but will soon bedetailed writing on the "Positive" mindset as well
offered in print by the world's leading publisher ofas complete sections geared to beginners,
martial arts material.Trafford Holdings Ltd; is aintermediate students and advanced
privately-held corporation, registered in Britishpractitioners.Although several traditional publishers
Columbia, Canada. There are over 120expressed interest in printing the book, and initial
shareholders, including many authors and all thenegotiations were entered into with one
permanent employees. It was incorporated inCalifornia-based company, the advent of
1991. In late 1995, Trafford opened it's doors and"print-on-demand" technology and the resulting
website. They are the first company in the worldnew publishing market, made for a better
to offer an "on-demand publishing service," andalternative.Of this book as it stands now, the
they are the best.The production of Positiveauthors say this - "There are a lot of books on
Aikido has gone through numerous stages. TheMartial Arts out there, and this one fits into the
hand-drawings describing each of the positivecrowd well - but it also stands alone in the sheer
techniques in traditional Aikido were begun in 1987comprehensiveness of the work. It is a nearly
with the intention of providing new students withcomplete representation of a single school's
a reference guide - at the time to be photocopiedtechnique - it is a historical marker - a book of
for students in the USA and later possibly for thestrategy - an ethical guide - a technical manual -
UK students as well. That plan however, neverand it is a chart, graph and manifest of all the
took hold as more and more drawings werethings which make martial artists as a whole stand
produced. The drawings of the first four groupingstogether as sisters and brothers with the same
were finished in 1991 and in 1993, the second fourwarrior spirit."This letter of recommendation is
groupings were added, along with somefrom William (Bill) Woods Sensei. Sensei Woods
transcripts from a recorded conversationwas in the 1950's and 60's Aide and personal
between Sensei Ellis and Rogers on a long roadtripsecretary to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. At that time
between Dallas, Texas and Alamogordo, NewSensei Woods was considered the most influential
Mexico. Rogers made his 1st Dan during that trip,and powerful figure in British Martial Arts. In 1955
and Positive Aikido picked up a lot of its historieshe was the British Judo Champion. He was the
and background information. Still, it was no morefirst person to be graded by Abbe Sensei to 1st
than a bunch of papers cobbled together fromdan in Kendo, holding certificate No 1, he was a
various sources.In 1999 however, with the adventkey figure in the creation of the British Judo
of digital photography, Sensei Rogers decided toCouncil ( BJC ) and the International Budo Council (
augment the drawings with some digital photosIBC ). There are too many credits to the name
and possibly put together a proper booklet forof Sensei Woods to be listed here. I am very
students in all the Ellis Schools. The photosproud to have known Sensei Woods for almost
however, required some supporting text - and50 years. signed: Henry Ellis.The new book is
there was a lot of other material which needed topublished by Trafford Publishing and avaIlable from
be conveyed as well. The transcripts wereall good book shops and online with Amazon,
re-written and cleaned up and the photos werepriced around $18.
digitally processed for the first four forms. During