Peter Brady

Started Aikido in 1969 at Hall Green Technical college. In 1970 joined the Birmingham Athletic Institute and attained Shodan with that organization in 1973. At this time also practiced and later affiliated to the West Midlands Aikikai (part of the then Aikikai of Great Britain). Attained recognition for Shodan from Chiba Sensei in 1976. Nidan in 1978 and Sandan in 1984 with Shibata Sensei. 1987 saw promotion to Yondan again by Chiba Sensei. In 1996, Peter was promoted to the rank of Godan in Stourbridge West Midlands – again through Chiba Sensei’s authority. Peter was promoted to Rokudan in 2003 and to Shihan (Master) in 2010.
At the 2017 Aikikai Hombu  Kagamibiraki ceremony, Peter received his promotion to Shichidan (7th Dan)
Within the United Kingdom Aikikai also holds the position of Senior Coach and Children’s Coach within the Joint Aikikai Council (a recognised authority for the teaching of Aikido in Great Britain).

The structure of the U.K.A. allows clubs wishing to join it to register through a Shidoin of their choice irrespective of geographical location. As a result of this Peter is the chief instructor for five independently run clubs: Two in Solihull, One in Birmingham central, One in Shrewsbury and One in Slough.

Chiba Sensei came as O’Sensei’s representative to Great Britain in 1966. He established the Aikikai of Great Britain in 1968. In the following years he invited many of his peers to teach here and Peter was fortunate enough to have trained with most of them. He has been able to draw on the experiences of the likes of Senseis: Tamura, Kitaura, Asai, Saito, Shibata, Sekiya, Yamada, Sugano, Fujita, Ikeda, Yokota, Kanetsuka, Fujimoto and Iwamoto to name a few.

As a result of Chiba Sensei’s influence Peter has a strong interest in the weapon side of Aikido and also in the art of Sword drawing known as Iaido. He holds the rank of Sandan with the British Kendo Federation and regularly teaches the Art at his own club.

In addition to weekly classes Peter taught regular seminars for his group of clubs. These are geared to include general courses (anyone attend), Instructors and Fukushidoin courses (Seniors only), and weapons (anyone attend). These courses are advertised in the U.K.A. Newsletter and are open to anyone who has a sincere wish to train in Traditional Aikido.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Sensei passed away on 7th July 2018.
He will be sorely missed by his Family, Friends, Students and the World of Aikido.
RIP Sensei. You were the best.