| A new book with a practical look at Aikido | | | | other material which needed to be conveyed as |
| and its history. The Co-authors are direct | | | | well. The transcripts were re-written and |
| students of the legendary master Kenshiro | | | | cleaned up and the photos were digitally |
| Abbe Sensei from 1957. the following is an | | | | processed for the first four forms. During |
| indepth look at how the book came into | | | | another visit to New Mexico, Sensei and his |
| being.OUT NOW!Derek Eastman - Aikido | | | | assistant Anita Wilson along with Sensei's |
| instructor helps write bookBracknell Standard | | | | son performed the demonstrations needed for |
| newspaper visits local dojoTo Order this book | | | | the last four forms. Later, the first four |
| from within the UK and EU countries:Trafford | | | | forms were re-shot with Sensei Rogers and one |
| Publishing (UK) Limited. order desk | | | | of his first USA students, Jeff Glaze of New |
| | | | Mexico. By this time, Positive Aikido was |
| Enterprise House, Wistaston Road Business | | | | being developed as a book.The agent and |
| Centre | | | | publishers we first contacted agreed, but the |
| | | | material was still fairly rough. More photos |
| Wistaston Road, CREWE, UK CW2 7RP | | | | were shot and extensive digital work was done |
| | | | on them to clarify technique. Additional |
| local rate number 0845 230 9601 | | | | sections were added to describe combat |
| | | | strategy and the philosophy behind "Positive |
| phone 01270 251396, fax 01270 254983 | | | | Aikido". Sections on ethics and morals within |
| | | | the arts were developed along with material |
| Email orders.To Order this book from any | | | | dealing with the selection of a martial art |
| other country including the USA and | | | | for beginners, and of course, the history |
| Canada:Trafford Publishing order desk | | | | section was strengthened and |
| | | | sharpened.Lastly, a complete re-organisation |
| 2333 Government Street, Suite 6E, Victoria, | | | | of the material was accomplished with an |
| BC | | | | addition of a section on pins and control and |
| | | | weapons (jo and sword). The finished work is |
| Canada V8T 4P4 | | | | comprised of more than 1000 photos, 600 |
| | | | hand-drawings and complex explanations and |
| toll-free 1-888-232-4444, fax 250-383-6804 | | | | tips to make the techniques of Aikido work |
| | | | properly. It includes detailed writing on the |
| Email This book, an in-depth look at Ellis | | | | "Positive" mindset as well as complete |
| Schools of Tradtional Aikido's special brand | | | | sections geared to beginners, intermediate |
| of technique, strategy, philosophy as well as | | | | students and advanced practitioners.Although |
| unique history, has taken about 15 years to | | | | several traditional publishers expressed |
| compile, but will soon be offered in print by | | | | interest in printing the book, and initial |
| the world's leading publisher of martial arts | | | | negotiations were entered into with one |
| material.Trafford Holdings Ltd; is a | | | | California-based company, the advent of |
| privately-held corporation, registered in | | | | "print-on-demand" technology and the |
| British Columbia, Canada. There are over 120 | | | | resulting new publishing market, made for a |
| shareholders, including many authors and all | | | | better alternative.Of this book as it stands |
| the permanent employees. It was incorporated | | | | now, the authors say this - "There are a lot |
| in 1991. In late 1995, Trafford opened it's | | | | of books on Martial Arts out there, and this |
| doors and website. They are the first company | | | | one fits into the crowd well - but it also |
| in the world to offer an "on-demand | | | | stands alone in the sheer comprehensiveness |
| publishing service," and they are the | | | | of the work. It is a nearly complete |
| best.The production of Positive Aikido has | | | | representation of a single school's technique |
| gone through numerous stages. The | | | | - it is a historical marker - a book of |
| hand-drawings describing each of the positive | | | | strategy - an ethical guide - a technical |
| techniques in traditional Aikido were begun | | | | manual - and it is a chart, graph and |
| in 1987 with the intention of providing new | | | | manifest of all the things which make martial |
| students with a reference guide - at the time | | | | artists as a whole stand together as sisters |
| to be photocopied for students in the USA and | | | | and brothers with the same warrior |
| later possibly for the UK students as well. | | | | spirit."This letter of recommendation is from |
| That plan however, never took hold as more | | | | William (Bill) Woods Sensei. Sensei Woods was |
| and more drawings were produced. The drawings | | | | in the 1950's and 60's Aide and personal |
| of the first four groupings were finished in | | | | secretary to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. At that |
| 1991 and in 1993, the second four groupings | | | | time Sensei Woods was considered the most |
| were added, along with some transcripts from | | | | influential and powerful figure in British |
| a recorded conversation between Sensei Ellis | | | | Martial Arts. In 1955 he was the British Judo |
| and Rogers on a long roadtrip between Dallas, | | | | Champion. He was the first person to be |
| Texas and Alamogordo, New Mexico. Rogers made | | | | graded by Abbe Sensei to 1st dan in Kendo, |
| his 1st Dan during that trip, and Positive | | | | holding certificate No 1, he was a key figure |
| Aikido picked up a lot of its histories and | | | | in the creation of the British Judo Council ( |
| background information. Still, it was no more | | | | BJC ) and the International Budo Council ( |
| than a bunch of papers cobbled together from | | | | IBC ). There are too many credits to the name |
| various sources.In 1999 however, with the | | | | of Sensei Woods to be listed here. I am very |
| advent of digital photography, Sensei Rogers | | | | proud to have known Sensei Woods for almost |
| decided to augment the drawings with some | | | | 50 years. signed: Henry Ellis.The new book is |
| digital photos and possibly put together a | | | | published by Trafford Publishing and |
| proper booklet for students in all the Ellis | | | | avaIlable from all good book shops and online |
| Schools. The photos however, required some | | | | with Amazon, priced around $18. |
| supporting text - and there was a lot of | | | | |