This is an interview that Cyril did with the now defunct Aikido Today Magazine. He explains about how he came to create the Dublin Aikikai Aikido and talks a bit about his vision of Aikido practice.

Aikido Today Magazine: When did you begin Aikido?
Cyril: 1987

ATM: Why?
Cyril: I got involved in a couple of fights and wanted to look for a martial Art that could help me defend myself.

ATM: Where?
Cyril: In France (University de Grenoble)

ATM:Who was your first teacher?
Cyril: Eric Matton

ATM: What sort of classes were taught?
Cyril: Aikikai

ATM: Please fill me in on the history of your own dojo.

Cyril: Dublin Aikikai Aikido began life with the Phibsboro Aikido Club in September of 1995, located in North Dublin at the Phibsboro Gym. I had come to live Ireland from France a few years previously. The then owner of the Phibsboro Gym had an interest in learning Aikido. He approached me and asked me to start a club at the gym. At the time I was a brand new second dan and full of energy! Which was just as well, as I had no mats and a small space to work in of about 6m x 10m.

We now have 3 dojo's (with mats!) and are affiliated to the FFAAA.  Which is one of the main federations in France with over 25,000 students. Through the associations and links with the FFAAA our clubs travel regularly around Europe for seminars and are visited, in Dublin, by top-level instructors.  The relationship with France has grown to the extent that Philippe Gouttard Sensei, 5th Dan Aikikai is now our Technical Director and good friend.  He has given an enormous boost to my own Aikido and that of my dojo's. I have also been fortunate enough to be able to travel to Japan to study on a number of occasions. This too has been a major help in my development.

In the 8 years I've been teaching I've seen many faces come and go, But some have stayed with me to reach the rank of 2nd Dan. It has been a major personal accomplishment to build up students to this level and I look forward to the future with great hope.

ATM: How do you explain Aikido to a prospective student?
Cyril: I do not tend to explain too much and prefer a prospective student to come and watch first. I think people will know fairly early on if Aikido is for them or not. After that I run specific six week introductory courses. These serve to satisfy the curious while also finding the odd serious student!

ATM: Who/What were your 3 primary influences?
Cyril: The different approach and vision of martial arts Aikido offered, has been two of the major influences. I have also been influenced by many young advanced Aikidoka I had the pleasure to practice with. Practising with these people fed my hunger for knowledge and inspired me through the early years of my development.

ATM: What impact, if any, has Aikido had on your personal life?
Cyril: Aikido has given me a goal and a place to direct my energies to their fullest.

ATM: What do you hope to see in Aikido for the future?

in general:
Cyril:That the new generation of instructors continue to develop Aikido with respect to principles they have learnt. That old instructors who are reluctant to the change, be more tolerant and understanding. Aikido will stay alive because of it's ability to constantly evolve, both within the instructor and the students.

in Dublin:
Cyril: Aikido in Dublin is very much influenced by an older traditionnal
style of teaching. I believe that Aikido being taught in Europe is now too large for this approach and a greater understanding of different influences is required.

By this, I mean that we need to understand that a technique is done with someone else and not against them. The technique only exists because the other personne accepts the conditions and works within that context, if not it wouldn't be harmonious anymore. As long as there is understanding between Tori and Ukei, they can then start the study of Aikido. My belief is that Uke can then develop a stronger Ukemi which consequently helps Tori to build a stronger more polished technique.

From my experience I have the feeling that, in Dublin, Aikido has been lacking this type of approach. The connection between Uke and Tori has lacked a deeper ‘in the moment' dialogue. Stiff non moving ukemi has an un-interesting dynamic for me. It limits ukei to only create a familiar working relationship in the confines of their own dojo. These relationships quickly fall apart when visiting instructors give courses or the student moves dojo. I have worked hard to free my students movements, to open up the Techniques to develop a richer moving dialogue within them. This has given my students and myself a more open Aikido that can adapt to visiting instructors or unfamiliar dojo's. After all, is it not the goal to be in harmony with whomever you practice with? In the future I would like to see Aikido developed to as high a level as other countries such as France,Germany, Italy and of course Japan.

in your own life:
Cyril: To understand the teachings from my Instructor and other instructors I visit. How they perceive their Aikido and integrate it into their life, as they grow older. To continue to developed and research, to build a more personal vision of Aikido.