Henry Lynch (6th Dan) started his Aikido journey over 45 years ago and has been helping people learn Aikido for over 30 years. He has also studied Judo, Kendo and Shrinjo-kempo. Sensei Henry is the Chief Instructor and Head of the Riai Aikido Association.
About
Riai Aikido
Visit our schools in Auckland, Wellington, Hutt Valley or Tauranga for a friendly and encouraging environment for learning the art of Aikido.
Riai Aikido is affiliated with Hombu Dojo, World Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo Japan. All our black belts are internationally recognised and registered in Japan.
The Head of Riai Aikido is Sensei Henry Lynch 6th Dan with over 45 years’ experience in the Art. His teacher is Shihan Robert Nadeau (8th Dan), from the California Aikido Association. Shihan Nadeau was a student of the founder of Aikido, Morehei Ueshiba. Henry Lynch Sensei teaches at the Riai Aikido Learning Centre (Auckland), where he is the chief instructor.
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art developed by Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). It can be practised by for all ages, builds and physical abilities.The fluid movements in Aikido help to maintain and improve flexibility, balance and coordination.
Aikido developed from the ancient fighting arts and can be used in self defence.
Students work together in Aikido. Often one person acts as defender (Nage), the other(s) as attacker (Uke). There is no competition. The ‘attacker’ simply provides a suitable attack for the ‘defender’ to practice techniques.
Winning the fight or beating the opponent is not the goal. Aikido students blend with the movement and energy of the attack.
Practice improves our harmony both physically and spiritually. It teaches us how to divert aggression in a positive way.
Reasons To Try Aikido
Our Team
What People Say About Riai Aikido
Set in motion the power of the cosmos
By wielding aiki; create a beautiful world
And foster peacefulness
O Sensei
Master Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969)Whether we do Aikido in an open field or a well-established dojo, the space needs to be like an empty bowl with the teachers standing at the edge, encouraging us to mix great Aikido.
Before mixing great Aikido we need to connect to the ground and feel the space or the bowl.
Greg
ChefPersonal connections to Aikido people through training brings joy and continuity. I believe that it is not only practice on the mat which has the power to transform but the expression of that change process as new understanding emerges in the everyday world off the mat
Steve
Psychiatric NurseWe all share some sort of curiosity, a thirst of knowledge or understanding of aikido which brings us all back on the mat together.