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.
Teachers
Meet the Teachers
We offer a friendly and encouraging environment in which to pursue the art of Aikido, placing extra emphasis on the flowing and graceful aspects of the art.
I continue to be inspired by how much more there is to learn. For me there is no more graceful, beautiful and awesomely powerful martial art.
The energetic, invisible side and spiritual aspects of the Art enthral and motivate Danny’s learning. They inspire him to explore further and share his insights with his students.
Conrad has been practising aikido for 27 years and is dojo cho of Riai Aikido Wellington City. He loves everything about aikido, but especially the ‘neuroscience’ of aikido. That is, how to take an attacker’s centre without engaging your muscles, or theirs – to operate below the radar of their consciousness.
Lyn started her Aikido journey over 24 years ago. She instantly fell in love with the art; the grace and beauty of the movements had her hooked, and she continues to learn something every time she jumps onto the mat. Lyn also finds great joy in teaching others how this art can help them to grow. Lyn is the dojo cho of Belmont dojo.
Vance Karena started Aikido practice in Wellington under Sensei Henry Lynch in October 1993. Vance previously studied Tae Kwon Do in Hamilton in the late 70’s under Willie Lim
Aikido can be challenging, puzzling, perplexing, mysterious as well as fun, interesting, joyful, energetic, dynamic, powerful, calming, and peaceful. These aspects can all be experienced within a one-hour class!
Aikido is a constant stabiliser in my life, and an influence for harmony. Applying this discipline to everyday life is very hard but very rewarding.
Victor is passionate to explore the dynamic relationships in aikido producing effective yet flowing techniques.
My philosophy has always been that no one really “wins” in a fight: hurting someone else merely invites retribution further down the track in some form. You could call that karma. However, being defenceless is no answer either: not wanting to fight does not mean you want to be a victim. I came to the...
Students
I liked the idea of doing a martial art but not an aggressive one, as I felt I wasn’t a particularly strong woman. Aikido appealed to me because from what I’d read, age, gender and size didn’t matter and I liked the idea of flowing movements. It took some courage to come along initially but with friendly, encouraging teachers and members, it soon became something I looked forward to, especially once I learnt to roll! With a young family, life is hectic but I love the clear-headed feeling I get from aikido and the positive way aikido offers in dealing with conflict.
Jennifer
Aikido was challenging – it asked me to become co-ordinated, wanted me to roll, backwards and forwards! And get hot and sweaty with people I had only just met. Most importantly though, for me, it asked that I connect, compassionately and lovingly, with this other person, who was attacking me and mine, try and see things from their perspective, and take us both to a safe place of conscious communication. Here was my opportunity to bring peace to the world! What a joy and a journey.
Monica
.. in the dojo we can put aside our fears and allow ourselves to feel like a fool and keep our eyes on the prize of self-development and an open heart..
Darryl
