Shihan Brian Stockwell

Rightly or wrongly there are many associations who do not affiliate to the various Japanese hombu, does this mean that the associations who operate outside of hombu control are not teaching Traditional Aikido, Tomiki Aikido or Yoshinkan Aikido. Within the style I practice I have fiends and associates who hold dan grades from various Tomiki groups JAA, BAA, ADS at the end of the day we are all following the same path.

Aikido has been in the UK for over 50 years many of the early Aikidoka have formed their own associations. If we go down the route of only recognising Hombu registered associations the BAB would only have a handfall of associations as members.

If we look at Karate the best GB coach ever is Ticky Donovan of Ishinryu Karate. Ishinryu produced many of the GB team over the years and was developed by Ticky Donovan here in the UK.

Although I don't know Brian Stockwell I would assume that he has come through the Yoshinkan or Shudokan route, so the Aikido he teaches is Yoshinkan based. He is not advertisng that he Yoshinkan Hombu registered.

I have to say that I also thoroughly enjoyed Brian's class and then some! I thought his presentation and teaching style were excellent - we still play with his kubotan techniques in our club (we're not Yoshinkan).

My first teacher used to say that the only thing that counts is whether you can get up in the middle of the mat and do Aikido, not what grade you are or what your title is. Brian can definitely do Aikido!