White
Oak Aikido Instructors
Experience
and Qualifications of White Oak Aikido
Coaches
White Oak
Aikido benefits from having a team of
instructors at both our Whitton and Reading dojos.
They are all well qualified and highly
experienced with many years of
training and teaching experience. Here's a little bit
about each of them.
Simon Thackeray - Senior
Instructor White Oak Aikido
 I had wanted to study a
martial art for some time and started
training in Aikido in 1980 and progressed
gradually through the grading system. In August
2004, Haydn Foster Sensei awarded me the grade of
5th dan. I started
teaching Aikido
at Reading University in 1985 and
established the White Oak Aikido dojo at the
Reading YMCA in 1991, moving it to Caversham in
2016. Now 6th dan, I'm also recognised as a Senior
Coach (Level 3) by the British Aikido
Board. In 2016, I achieved the Award in
Education & Training, the QCF recognised
qualification for those working in the further
education and skills sector. Then in 2023, I
established a new dojo in Whitton, near Knighton
in Powys.
I was a direct
student of one of the great pioneers of Aikido in
the UK, Haydn
Foster Sensei (7th dan), from 1983 until
Mr. Foster sadly passed away in February 2011.
I've also attended many Aikido courses with other
high ranking English,
American and Japanese teachers and I continue to attend courses
to ensure my ongoing development. As well as
serving as his Technical Assistant for many years,
I also accompanied Haydn
Foster Sensei on Aikido teaching tours of New
Zealand, organised by Kyu Shin Do
Aikido in Auckland.
Aikido has
been a key part of my life since I started
training in 1980 and has driven my interest in
achieving a better understanding of the human
body and mind, qualifying in massage in 2003 and
then going on to train in the Chinese internal
energy arts and martial arts from 2004. I have
seen many of my students improve not only their
skills and confidence, but also develop their
overall potential. I am passionate about the
need for strong foundations and regular practice
to underpin good form and to maximise the
benefits from the arts that I teach. I believe in the need for
strong, effective, basic technique and
practice with the bokken and jo as a
foundation for good Aikido. I
am obsessive about technical accuracy and
inculcating an understanding of the basic
principles of this
fascinating martial art, creating a strong
base of skills and knowledge from which
people can genuinely improve and train at
their highest level. I enjoy passing on whatever
understanding and skills I have in Aikido
and seeing people
develop and benefit.
Recent CPD has
included QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work;
Close Quarter Combat, Situational Awareness,
Knife & Edged Weapon Awareness &
Self-Defence/Protection; British Aikido Board
Coach Refresher 2023.
In addition to
Aikido, I also train regularly in Tai Chi and Qi
Gong, as well as teaching weekly classes in Qigong
(Chi Gung) at
the Methodist Church Hall in Craven Arms,
Shropshire, as well as occasional Qi
Gong Workshops in Bramley. I sometimes train
in Bagua and, some years ago, I also briefly
studied Karate.
Member comment: 'They’re all very good
teachers at White Oak Aikido – patient,
friendly and professional.'
Trish Matthews -
Assistant Senior Instructor White Oak Aikido
 I started my
Aikido training at the University of Reading in
1993, having had a vague interest in Aikido since seeing a
documentary on a climber and Aikido practitioner
called Julie Tullis and also reading
that Aikido was one of George Lucas’
inspirations for the Jedi! I haven’t climbed Everest
or become a Jedi, but Aikido
has been a key part of my life for some 25 years.
I’ve been teaching Aikido at Reading since 1997 and
was awarded 4th dan by Haydn
Foster Sensei in August 2010. I am recognised
as a Coach Level 1 by the British Aikido Board.
I’m
fascinated by how physical activity, especially
martial arts, is a trigger for developmental
change and learning in all areas of people’s
lives. I recently completed an MA in coaching and
mentoring, and my thesis focused on this area. I’m
currently involved in social and therapeutic
horticulture, basket making (www.jackdawbaskets.co.uk)
and life coaching/crafting (www.magpie-coaching.co.uk).
I also hold the Award in Education & Training,
the QCF recognised qualification for people
working in the further education and skills
sector. Recent CPD has
included Emergency First Aid; British Aikido
Board Coach Refresher 2023.
I love how Aikido enables people to express and
protect themselves in a way that aims not to cause
unnecessary harm to the other person, with a focus
on compassion rather than aggression. Learning to
deal with physical confrontation and the fears
around that, can change how you connect to the
world around you, although these benefits can
only come from training that stays true to its
martial origins and a system underpinned by
realistic, functional principles.
One Reading Aikido member said: "(Trish)
teaches with warmth, spirit and a joyful
energy. She has a way of making you remember
the technique more."
Get Julie Tullis' book on
Amazon
Member comment:
'The teachers work out what your individual
level of stretch is and are able to keep you
progressing at a pace where you feel a mix of
being stretched but rewarded.'
John Butcher - Instructor White Oak Aikido
Reading
I started
training at White Oak Aikido in Reading in 2001. I
had just moved to Reading and saw this as an
opportunity to start a new martial art, having
previously studied Yang Style Tai Chi. I wanted to
do Aikido as I saw in this martial art its
potential as a self-defence system which
does not rely on physical strength or size. I
achieved British
Aikido Board Coach Level 1 in 2011,
my 1st Dan in 2012
and my 2nd dan in 2020.
In my own Aikido training and
teaching, I am now drawn to a deeper study of some
of the different aspects within Aikido such as the
esoteric, the physical, physical fitness, and
developing the mind-body connection. The training
in body technique along with the weapons training,
using the Bokken and Jo, make this for me a
balanced and rewarding martial art to study and teach.
Member comment: 'I do like how our teachers
do their best to make us understand every
technique and improve a bit more every day.'
Martin Morton - Assistant
Instructor White Oak Aikido Reading
I started
Aikido training in 2008 and was graded 1st
dan in 2020, having also gained my British
Aikido Board
Coach Level 1 in 2011. I  came
to Aikido after training for some years in a
range of combat sports, including boxing,
kickboxing and karate. The first thing
that attracted me to the Aikido club was
that everyone was so friendly and helpful
and if I ever struggled with anything, all I
had to do was ask and they were all willing
to help me. One of the things I love about
Aikido is that moment when I end up on the
floor in a lock or a hold and I wonder just
how I got there!
Since I started the Aikido classes in
Reading, my life has changed for the better.
I love my training, so if you think you
might be interested, come along and have a
go. You have nothing to lose and everything
to gain. Looking forward to seeing you on
the mat.
All White Oak Aikido instructors are insured and
hold a First Aid qualification.
Member comment: 'The teachers are all
excellent. Their dedication and commitment are
reflected in the teaching. They recognize how
much more you are capable of and always
encourage you to do your best.'
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White
Oak Aikido