Henry ELLIS
Not many people might have heard of him . Henry Ellis is one of the pioneers of Aikido in the United Kingdom . One of his main teacher was Kenshiro Abbe . Kenshiro Abbe was one in a handful to defeat the famous Judoka , Masahiko Kimura . Masahiko Kimura said that Abbe was fighting like a shadow ! Masahiko Kimura later went on to deafeat the famous Helio Gracie . Thus , the name " Kimura Lock " was adapted by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after his defeat .
Born in the early 1930s , Henry Ellis grew up through harsh war climate . Things back then had to be earned through hard work and dedication . He started his martial arts training in Judo , under the direction of Ken Williams and Kenshiro Abbe . It was a few years later that he saw a demonstration of a mysterious martial art ! In 1957 , he decided to join the small group of students who were practicing the mysterious martial art . This was the only aikido class in the whole of UK ! After many years of hard work and training , together with his student , Henry Ellis went around the UK to spread aikido . He told me in 2014 how disappointed he was to find out how much aikido has been watered down due to politics and other reasons. Moreover , he recalled to me Kazuo Chiba sensei telling him that " aikido has become watered down " . To which he replied " it is no longer being watered down , it is becoming evaporated " .
Training back then was very intense under Kenshiro Abbe . They had kicks and punches for warm ups . Moreover , they were being taught hard , pre - war style of aikido . Every sunday , the dojo will be only open to the blackbelts . There , they would fight to test their skills . Henry Ellis told me this . He said " Even though aikido is no all about fighting , you need to fight for real to test your skills ! " .
Along with this , he told me this personally . " Look at aikido like a cup of coffee . Depending on how you want your aikido to be , you have to add in things . " The more i read his blog , the more i wish i was there training with them . For more information , please visit his blog : http://henryellis-aikido.blogspot.com
Born in the early 1930s , Henry Ellis grew up through harsh war climate . Things back then had to be earned through hard work and dedication . He started his martial arts training in Judo , under the direction of Ken Williams and Kenshiro Abbe . It was a few years later that he saw a demonstration of a mysterious martial art ! In 1957 , he decided to join the small group of students who were practicing the mysterious martial art . This was the only aikido class in the whole of UK ! After many years of hard work and training , together with his student , Henry Ellis went around the UK to spread aikido . He told me in 2014 how disappointed he was to find out how much aikido has been watered down due to politics and other reasons. Moreover , he recalled to me Kazuo Chiba sensei telling him that " aikido has become watered down " . To which he replied " it is no longer being watered down , it is becoming evaporated " .
Training back then was very intense under Kenshiro Abbe . They had kicks and punches for warm ups . Moreover , they were being taught hard , pre - war style of aikido . Every sunday , the dojo will be only open to the blackbelts . There , they would fight to test their skills . Henry Ellis told me this . He said " Even though aikido is no all about fighting , you need to fight for real to test your skills ! " .
Along with this , he told me this personally . " Look at aikido like a cup of coffee . Depending on how you want your aikido to be , you have to add in things . " The more i read his blog , the more i wish i was there training with them . For more information , please visit his blog : http://henryellis-aikido.blogspot.com