Many years ago, in the mid 1980’s, when I was 19, I lived for two years in Tokyo, working as an au-pair. I loved it, I loved exploring the culture, grappling with the language, travelling, eating the food. In the Spring of the year I left, I went with the little boy I looked after, and his nephew, to a park in the centre, where there was a martial art festival – we watched very impressive horseback archery, and various demonstrations – kendo, karate, judo, and then, in the distance, there was a group of people, all dressed the same with their white tops and black hakamas, and initially they were all moving as one, the whole group, and it was mesmerising. I asked the nephew what they were doing, and he said ‘Aikido!’
I returned to the UK and started Uni in Devon and that same week saw a poster for Ki Aikido in Totnes, and, wanting to hold on to something from Japan, decided to give it a try. I immediately loved it, it was exhilarating and energetic, but simultaneously thought-provoking and calming.
I was hooked, and practised very regularly for a few years; after Uni I lived in Wales for a year and used to ride 13 miles from Cardiff to Newport on a 100cc motorbike all through a dreary winter to practise in a club there. Then the rest of life got in the way for a while – I worked abroad for a few years and it wasn’t until the mid 1990’s that I was fully back in the UK, this time, London.
There, I took up Aikido again, practising in Camberwell, which moved to Brixton, under Sensei Ros Davies. It was an amazing time, she is a wonderful teacher, who has benefited from a close study of Sensei Williams’ teaching. There were quite a few London clubs and Sensei Williams was teaching a lot of courses around the country, I went to as many of them as I could – he was awe-inspiring and yet down-to-earth. Whenever I went anywhere, from Glasgow to Cornwall, I would visit a Ki Club and enjoy a class.
I had just become a 2nd Dan when I became pregnant, and once I had my daughter things changed and I didn’t have the possibility anymore to get to regular classes. I was busy with my family and work for a number of years. I used to think about Aikido, but it was hard to imagine getting back into it – I used to dream sometimes of stepping onto the mat and everyone turning to look at me in horror!
In 2016, when my son was thirteen, he was talking about trying a martial art, maybe Karate, and a little switch clicked in my head and I said ‘Let’s see about Aikido’. There was a club twenty miles away, and the Sensei there suggested I bring my kit too. I did, and once back on the mat, I knew I was back to stay.
My son didn’t continue after a few months (there wasn’t anyone his age to practise with and it meant a late night on a Sunday, which didn’t work too well with school), but I was back and happy to be so.
It has meant so much to me, in my life, I have made lifelong friends, people I feel a deep connection with, despite not seeing them for 20 years. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a 17-year gap, (ha ha!) and I’ve had some old habits to work on, but it’s brought me great joy, and much strength, helping me to deal with the ups and downs of life.
Since 2024 I’ve been practising in Chew Valley club, close in connection and distance to the Ki Federation HQ. It’s meant a lot to be welcomed there without judgement, and to have made new friends in the Ki Aikido world. In 2019 I took my 2nd Dan again, 20 years after the first time, and in October 2025 I achieved my 3rd Dan, which was a special moment in this ongoing journey, especially to work on that alongside Marco from Chew Valley and Anita, who I’d known for many years and who had had the same long gap as me.
In the 1990’s I remember helping with fundraising for the HQ building, in particular, a mammoth afternoon of cream-tea production for the village fete. Before the HQ building was in place, courses and gradings would be held in the village hall, and it was such an amazing moment when the HQ building opened in 1999 – we are so fortunate to have that resource and the excellent and warm-hearted teaching, passed down from Sensei Williams and Sensei Margaret.
Practising Ki Aikido is invigorating yet relaxing, challenging yet rewarding. You are not in competition with anyone, you are working to improve yourself, yet you learn from whoever you practise with. And in using the principles of relaxation and mind and body unification, it feels like a positive force quietly spreads into the world, which surely can’t be a bad thing?
Hannah Kent
Chew Valley Ki Aikido Club