Expert advice from aikido master

QUIET CONFIDENCE: Renowned Auckland-based aikido exponent Tony Schaufelberger Sensei 5th Dan, left, breaks down a locking technique for novice Masterton Ju Jitsu & Judo Academy student Tiran O'Hagen at a seminar in the town on Saturday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A leading New Zealand aikido instructor held his first seminar in Masterton on Saturday.

Tony Schaufelberger, Sensei 5th Dan, who founded Aikiway Aikido Auckland, was invited to lead an afternoon of aikido locking techniques against armed and unarmed opponents at the Masterton Judo & Ju Jitsu Academy.

The seminar was attended by a dozen ju jitsu exponents from Wairarapa and Wellington, including Simon Ogden, Masterton academy founder and head instructor; and Paul Huston, head instructor at Wellington Jitsu Club.

Mr Schaufelberger, 52, has studied aikido for three decades and trained for 12 years in Iaido. He is renowned as one of the foremost weapons' teachers in New Zealand.

He also instructs corporate groups on his principles of "quiet confidence", in which he aims to help students develop tools and attitudes to "help deal with conflict in positive and respectful ways". He had led a training session with Community Connections in Paraparaumu on Friday ahead of the seminar in Masterton, he said.

Aikido is a Japanese ju jitsu-based martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, who had aimed to create a discipline that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker, Mr Schaufelberger said, and redirecting the force rather than opposing the attack head-on. Mr Schaufelberger, who among a range of other disciplines also has trained in ju jitsu, karate, escrima, kendo and systema, said one of the most important principles for martial arts practitioners is "ownership of your own house [body] and space".

"I need to know I have ownership of my house and space and that I'm comfortable within them.

"I've seen people in and out of martial arts who have no awareness of that and you see them struggling through life and reacting in ways that are not good for them," he said. "Knowing how to own your house and space and to move through them with confidence is very important, especially with weapons."

Mr Schaufelberger said the translation of aikido principles to everyday life and business can often bring about changes in outlooks and outcomes.

"You can either be an attacker and win by attacking or look after people as well as controlling your situation. I think the bigger picture is having the choice and selecting what outcome you prefer."