Instructors

Chief Instructor Ray Eder, 5^th Dan

I started training in the martial arts in 1979 with Chidokan Karate, which I did for a few years. In 1982 I started Aikido with the late sensei Ron Russell and was graded by him to Shodan in 1987, Nidan in 1988, and Sandan 1993. Sensei Haydn Foster, Sensei Russell's teacher in England, graded me to Yondan in 2001 and Godan in 2006.

I have been head of the Kyu Shin Do style of Aikido in New Zealand since 1994. I first heard of Aikido while doing Karate. Some classes would be dedicated to 'self defence' and we would learn different techniques from the usual Karate moves, which we were told were Aikido techniques. I decided to find out more about this 'mysterious' art, and here I am twenty five years down the track still learning.

My approach to teaching is to apply the principles of Aikido. Thus the safety of all taking part is paramount. The environment should be non threatening and conducive to learning, allowing people to develop their own way. One of my favourite quotes from the founder of Aikido is 'It (Aikido) is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind.'. I try to live by this precept and it is reflected in my style of teaching.

Ray Eder 5th Dan

Gail Eder, 4^th Dan

I practised Karate from 1979 until the end of 1988 and reached the rank of 2nd Dan. In early 1988 I began to practice Aikido as well. By the end of that year it was clear to me that Aikido was what I wanted to focus on.

Although I had had many teachers over the years there are 4 Aikido teachers who have been most influential in my training. They are: The late Ron Russell, my first teacher, loved Aikido above everything and was a skilled and dedicated teacher. Mr. H. Foster Chief Instructor of the Institute of Aikido (UK) was Ron's teacher and mentor. Through visits to New Zealand and Summer School in the UK he has shared his vast reservoir of knowledge accumulated over 50 years in Aikido. Richard Moon who taught me that Aikido is so much more than technique. My husband Ray who has many more years Aikido experience than I and who "walks the talk" in his daily life.

My ideas in presenting an Aikido class are first that it should be safe and fun for everyone involved. My quest in teaching, learning and my day to day life is to find better ways of smoothing the paths of human interaction.

Gail Eder 4th Dan

Eddie Wrench, 3^rd Dan

I've been training regularly at Aikido since November 1994 - all at Kyu Shin Do (North Shore) Aikido, though I've been lucky to visit the UK Institute of Aikido (under Sensei Foster 7th Dan) a couple of times.

I had dabbled a bit with Judo as a teenager, decided to have a go as an adult and turned up at the dojo on the wrong night. Rather than waste the opportunity I had a go at Aikido and enjoyed it so much that I never went to Judo.

I enjoy the Kyu Shin Do Aikido community and applying aikido analysis in real life conflict situations. My classes emphasise the integration of basic weapons and hand to hand techniques.

I aim to promote a thoughtful, safe, energetic and humorous environment where all participants can learn from each other. I like the idea of a dedicated group of people starting the new week

Eddie Wrench 3rd Dan

John Dixon, 1^st Dan

I still remember the first time I came across the gentle art of Aikido.

I was instantly hooked, not because my Sensei could throw me from one corner of the room to the other with seemingly no effort, I was hooked because I had absolutely no idea how he did it. There was no pain, no struggle, just me repeatedly picking myself up from the floor in wonder.

I studied Aikido in the UK under Sensei Ric Costigan, 5th Dan, at Stratford Phoenix Aikido and my Aikido is greatly influenced by him. The sense of community and the sheer joy of training which was instilled into the club by Sensei Costigan is something I will always carry with me. It was those same qualities which drew me into the Kyu Shin Do family to study under Sensei Ray and sensei Gail.

I try to pass on my enthusiasm for Aikido not only as a beautiful and flowing martial art but also as an extremely effective form of self defence.

John Dixon 1st Dan

Colin Lee, 3^rd Dan

I started my martial arts training while I was a student in the late 1970s with a bit of dabbling in some Kung Fu and a couple of years in Tae Kwon Do.

It was during this time that I discovered this “mysterious” Japanese art-form called Aikido, firstly reading about Yamada Sensei in one of a limited number of magazines that were around at the time. I became fascinated by what I was reading but it wasn’t until a few years later, when I moved to Auckland that I began my training under the guidance of the late Ron Russell Sensei

One of the many things that intrigued me was that this was a “non-aggressive”, “non-competitive” martial art, which seems to present contradictions in terms but proved to be very accurate in describing this flowing, defensive art. Practice promotes a very positive attitude towards not only training but also life in general, which I could relate to very well.

 Thus, like many Aikidoka, my approach to training and teaching closely mirrors my approach to daily life -Enjoy it!!

Colin Lee 3rd Dan