Positive Aikido the book.

Positive Aikidofour forms were re-shot with Sensei Rogers and
The story of the books development.one of his first USA students, Jeff Glaze of New
Mexico. By this time, Positive Aikido was being
> Now available on from and Amazon.co.ukdeveloped as a book.
To Order this book from within the UK and EUThe agent and publishers we first contacted
countries:agreed, but the material was still fairly rough. More
Trafford Publishing (UK) Limited Order Desk 9photos were shot and extensive digital work was
Park End Street, 2nd floor Oxford, UK OX1 1HHdone on them to clarify technique. Additional
local rate number 0845 230 9601 phone 44sections were added to describe combat strategy
(0)1865 722 113 fax 44 (0)1865 722 868 emailand the philosophy behind "Positive Aikido".
To Order this book from any other countrySections on ethics and morals within the arts
including the USA and Canada: Trafford Publishingwere developed along with material dealing with
order desk 2333 Government Street, Suite 6E,the selection of a martial art for beginners, and of
Victoria, BC Canada V8T 4P4 toll-freecourse, the history section was strengthened and
1-888-232-4444, fax 250-383-6804 Email Thissharpened.
book, an in-depth look at Ellis Schools of TradtionalLastly, a complete re-organisation of the material
Aikido's special brand of technique, strategy,was accomplished with an addition of a section on
philosophy as well as unique history, has takenpins and control and weapons (jo and sword). The
about 15 years to compile, but will soon befinished work is comprised of more than 1000
offered in print by the world's leading publisher ofphotos, 600 hand-drawings and complex
martial arts material.explanations and tips to make the techniques of
Trafford Holdings Ltd; is a privately-heldAikido work properly. It includes detailed writing on
corporation, registered in British Columbia, Canada.the "Positive" mindset as well as complete
There are over 120 shareholders, including manysections geared to beginners, intermediate
authors and all the permanent employees. It wasstudents and advanced practitioners.
incorporated in 1991. In late 1995, TraffordAlthough several traditional publishers expressed
opened it's doors and website. They are the firstinterest in printing the book, and initial negotiations
company in the world to offer an "on-demandwere entered into with one California-based
publishing service," and they are the best.company, the advent of "print-on-demand"
The production of Positive Aikido has gonetechnology and the resulting new publishing
through numerous stages. The hand-drawingsmarket, made for a better alternative.
describing each of the positive techniques inOf this book as it stands now, the authors say
traditional Aikido were begun in 1987 with thethis - "There are a lot of books on Martial Arts
intention of providing new students with aout there, and this one fits into the crowd well -
reference guide - at the time to be photocopiedbut it also stands alone in the sheer
for students in the USA and later possibly for thecomprehensiveness of the work. It is a nearly
UK students as well. That plan however, nevercomplete representation of a single school's
took hold as more and more drawings weretechnique - it is a historical marker - a book of
produced. The drawings of the first four groupingsstrategy - an ethical guide - a technical manual -
were finished in 1991 and in 1993, the second fourand it is a chart, graph and manifest of all the
groupings were added, along with somethings which make martial artists as a whole stand
transcripts from a recorded conversationtogether as sisters and brothers with the same
between Sensei Ellis and Rogers on a long roadtripwarrior spirit."
between Dallas, Texas and Alamogordo, NewThis letter of recommendation is from William (Bill)
Mexico. Rogers made his 1st Dan during that trip,Woods Sensei. Sensei Woods was in the 1950's
and Positive Aikido picked up a lot of its historiesand 60's Aide and personal secretary to Kenshiro
and background information. Still, it was no moreAbbe Sensei. At that time Sensei Woods was
than a bunch of papers cobbled together fromconsidered the most influential and powerful figure
various sources.in British Martial Arts. In 1955 he was the British
In 1999 however, with the advent of digitalJudo Champion. He was the first person to be
photography, Sensei Rogers decided to augmentgraded by Abbe Sensei to 1st dan in Kendo,
the drawings with some digital photos and possiblyholding certificate No 1, he was a key figure in the
put together a proper booklet for students in allcreation of the British Judo Council ( BJC ) and the
the Ellis Schools. The photos however, requiredInternational Budo Council ( IBC ). There are too
some supporting text - and there was a lot ofmany credits to the name of Sensei Woods to
other material which needed to be conveyed asbe listed here. I am very proud to have known
well. The transcripts were re-written and cleanedSensei Woods for almost 50 years. signed: Henry
up and the photos were digitally processed forEllis.
the first four forms. During another visit to NewThe new book is published by Trafford Publishing
Mexico, Sensei and his assistant Anita Wilson alongand avaIlable from all good book shops and online
with Sensei's son performed the demonstrationswith Amazon, priced around $18.95 or £10.00.
needed for the last four forms. Later, the first156 pages : ISBN number 1-4120-4668-8.