The official web site of Shinjido inventor Danny Da Costa

Shinjido for Aikido

My Aikido journey would have finished after 4 years training with a local group in Torbay. Thinking back it is surprising that I stayed with them so long. I knew that none of the instructors could impose their will on me unless I went along with them. After all Aikido is the Art of Harmony and we practice in a non competitive environment. Aikido is a flowing art and can be beautiful to watch but for it’s best it requires a knowledgeable and skilled uke. Luckily for me I attended a course with Shihan Gwynne Jones 8th Dan (head of the Shin Gi Tai Association) I readily appreciated not just the grace of his movement but the power of his technique. We struck up a bond and I made regular visits to his dojo some 200 miles away in Wales. Once I was graded to 1st Dan my sensei asked me to start a dojo locally. This allowed me to develop my own thoughts and skills based upon what worked for me. Many senseis would regard this unorthodox approach with suspicion. There can be a lot of jealousy in the martial arts but all I got from Gwynne was encouragement. Over the years I have maintained my loyalty to Shin Gi Tai but my style has changed and that really was the origination of Shinjido. My students realised that we were doing things differently and one of them came up with “Shinjido” – Danny’s Way.

So how is Shinjido Aikido different? I strip techniques back to basic principles and strive to make them more efficient. I feel that because Aikido is a visually pleasing art, it entails uke making nice break falls. This in turn requires uke to have sufficient space so the throws often become projections. In a reality situation you cannot afford your opponent space, for they will turn on a sixpence to face you and your initial move will lose it’s advantage. Most of my actions can be proven to be less physically demanding and therefore more efficient. As with Judo, the element of surprise is a feature together with the use of GAP – Gravity Assisted power. (Read about this in the Judo section) 

Aikido employs some excellent wrist locks that can be utilised for throwing or restraining. I have added numerous variations in this department. I have also increased the efficiency of restraints on the ground. Because there is virtually no competition in Aikido, the groundwork is severely limited. I have supplemented this with restraints and submissions, some of which would not be allowed in Judo. 

Most arts have their strengths and weaknesses. I do not mean to denigrate Aikido in it’s various styles. In one area Aikido is supreme – the attitude to multiple attacks. This goes against the very nature of fighting and it is the fighter that finds this most difficult. Ones instinct is simply to fight and against multiple opponents this is not the best course of action. The Aikido principle of harmony, encourages flowing movement with multiple changes of direction. The techniques flow out of this movement. 

There are several styles and associations in Aikido under the auspices of the BAB – British Aikido Board. I grade under the Shin Gi Tai Association based in South Wales. They have clubs throughout the UK and their website is www.shingitai.co.uk