| A new book with a practical look at Aikido and its | | | | Mexico, Sensei and his assistant Anita Wilson along |
| history. The Co-authors are direct students of the | | | | with Sensei's son performed the demonstrations |
| legendary master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from | | | | needed for the last four forms. Later, the first |
| 1957. the following is an indepth look at how the | | | | four forms were re-shot with Sensei Rogers and |
| book came into being. | | | | one of his first USA students, Jeff Glaze of New |
| OUT NOW! | | | | Mexico. By this time, Positive Aikido was being |
| Derek Eastman - Aikido instructor helps write | | | | developed as a book. |
| book | | | | The agent and publishers we first contacted |
| Bracknell Standard newspaper visits local dojo | | | | agreed, but the material was still fairly rough. More |
| To Order this book from within the UK and EU | | | | photos were shot and extensive digital work was |
| countries: | | | | done on them to clarify technique. Additional |
| Trafford Publishing (UK) Limited. order desk | | | | sections were added to describe combat strategy |
| Enterprise House, Wistaston Road Business | | | | and the philosophy behind "Positive Aikido". |
| Centre | | | | Sections on ethics and morals within the arts |
| Wistaston Road, CREWE, UK CW2 7RPlocal rate | | | | were developed along with material dealing with |
| number 0845 230 9601phone 01270 251396, fax | | | | the selection of a martial art for beginners, and of |
| 01270 254983 | | | | course, the history section was strengthened and |
| Email To Order this book from any other country | | | | sharpened. |
| including the USA and Canada: | | | | Lastly, a complete re-organisation of the material |
| Trafford Publishing order desk | | | | was accomplished with an addition of a section on |
| 2333 Government Street, Suite 6E, Victoria, BC | | | | pins and control and weapons (jo and sword). The |
| Canada V8T 4P4toll-free 1-888-232-4444, fax | | | | finished work is comprised of more than 1000 |
| 250-383-6804 | | | | photos, 600 hand-drawings and complex |
| Email This book, an in-depth look at Ellis Schools of | | | | explanations and tips to make the techniques of |
| Tradtional Aikido's special brand of technique, | | | | Aikido work properly. It includes detailed writing on |
| strategy, philosophy as well as unique history, has | | | | the "Positive" mindset as well as complete |
| taken about 15 years to compile, but will soon be | | | | sections geared to beginners, intermediate |
| offered in print by the world's leading publisher of | | | | students and advanced practitioners. |
| martial arts material. | | | | Although several traditional publishers expressed |
| Trafford Holdings Ltd; is a privately-held | | | | interest in printing the book, and initial negotiations |
| corporation, registered in British Columbia, Canada. | | | | were entered into with one California-based |
| There are over 120 shareholders, including many | | | | company, the advent of "print-on-demand" |
| authors and all the permanent employees. It was | | | | technology and the resulting new publishing |
| incorporated in 1991. In late 1995, Trafford | | | | market, made for a better alternative. |
| opened it's doors and website. They are the first | | | | Of this book as it stands now, the authors say |
| company in the world to offer an "on-demand | | | | this - "There are a lot of books on Martial Arts |
| publishing service," and they are the best. | | | | out there, and this one fits into the crowd well - |
| The production of Positive Aikido has gone | | | | but it also stands alone in the sheer |
| through numerous stages. The hand-drawings | | | | comprehensiveness of the work. It is a nearly |
| describing each of the positive techniques in | | | | complete representation of a single school's |
| traditional Aikido were begun in 1987 with the | | | | technique - it is a historical marker - a book of |
| intention of providing new students with a | | | | strategy - an ethical guide - a technical manual - |
| reference guide - at the time to be photocopied | | | | and it is a chart, graph and manifest of all the |
| for students in the USA and later possibly for the | | | | things which make martial artists as a whole stand |
| UK students as well. That plan however, never | | | | together as sisters and brothers with the same |
| took hold as more and more drawings were | | | | warrior spirit." |
| produced. The drawings of the first four groupings | | | | This letter of recommendation is from William (Bill) |
| were finished in 1991 and in 1993, the second four | | | | Woods Sensei. Sensei Woods was in the 1950's |
| groupings were added, along with some | | | | and 60's Aide and personal secretary to Kenshiro |
| transcripts from a recorded conversation | | | | Abbe Sensei. At that time Sensei Woods was |
| between Sensei Ellis and Rogers on a long roadtrip | | | | considered the most influential and powerful figure |
| between Dallas, Texas and Alamogordo, New | | | | in British Martial Arts. In 1955 he was the British |
| Mexico. Rogers made his 1st Dan during that trip, | | | | Judo Champion. He was the first person to be |
| and Positive Aikido picked up a lot of its histories | | | | graded by Abbe Sensei to 1st dan in Kendo, |
| and background information. Still, it was no more | | | | holding certificate No 1, he was a key figure in the |
| than a bunch of papers cobbled together from | | | | creation of the British Judo Council ( BJC ) and the |
| various sources. | | | | International Budo Council ( IBC ). There are too |
| In 1999 however, with the advent of digital | | | | many credits to the name of Sensei Woods to |
| photography, Sensei Rogers decided to augment | | | | be listed here. I am very proud to have known |
| the drawings with some digital photos and possibly | | | | Sensei Woods for almost 50 years. signed: Henry |
| put together a proper booklet for students in all | | | | Ellis. |
| the Ellis Schools. The photos however, required | | | | The new book is published by Trafford Publishing |
| some supporting text - and there was a lot of | | | | and avaIlable from all good book shops and online |
| other material which needed to be conveyed as | | | | with Amazon, priced around $18.95 or |
| well. The transcripts were re-written and cleaned | | | | £10.00. 156 pages : ISBN number |
| up and the photos were digitally processed for | | | | 1-4120-4668-8. |
| the first four forms. During another visit to New | | | | |