Bio Robert Banks
1986 Started Aikido training ( Sensei Ian Walters Burnham on sea Ki Federation of Great Britain)
Walk round Britain to raise money and awareness for the building of H.Q. Ki Fed
1989 moved to London (Sensei Mark Greenly Muswell Hill Ki Federation)
1991 Black belt first Dan (Sensei Mark Greenly Muswell Hill Ki Federation of Great Britain)
1993 Ki Federation of Great Britain Teaching certificate
Opened Crawley Aikido class
1993 Black belt second Dan (Sensei Mark Greenly Muswell Hill Ki Federation of Great Britain)
1995 Met Piers in Crawley, invited me to join Sensei Denis Burke in new association
during this period I was developing a teaching syllabus for students with special needs
(Downs syndrome, Brain injury and physical disabilities)
resigned Ki Fed
Joined Isshinkai
Attended BAB teachers training course at Coldharbour Dojo (do not remember receiving certificate)
This culminated in presenting special students at BAB course at Leeds University
Sensei Denis Burke came to Crawley to grade special students
2002 I was Invited to visit New School Aikido in U.S.A. by american students from Gatwick
Asked Sensei Burke to accompany me, met Sensei John Smart, Hikitsuchi student
2003 British Aikido Board Teaching Certificate (Adults and Children) (level 2)
2003 Crawley College of Technology - City & Guilds 7307 Part 1 Adult teaching
Sensei Burke asked me to become Ushi Deshi at Andover Dojo
2004 Black Belt third Dan (Aikido Yuishinkai International)
2005 International Kinesiology College - Touch For Health Certificate (Foundation
Kinesiology)
2005 Isshinkai Academy- Postgraduate Teaching Certificate (Aikido)
2007 Moved to Somerset to care for mother
Opened West Somerset Aikido Isshinkai
2010 Black Belt Fourth Dan (Aikido Yuishinkai International)
2012 Associated with Shinpi Izumi Dojo Martial arts Group as their Aikido instructor
Iaido- Jujitsu - Kempo - Traditional Judo - Karate - Chi Gung - Escrima - Krav Maga
2014 Closed class due to bereavement though continued to present Aikido on courses
2015 Taught privately at home
2015 Awarded 5h Dan Aikido by Shinpi Izumi dojo
2018 S.I.A Security/ doorman badge,
2021 Awarded 6th Dan Aikido by Shinpi Izumi Dojo
During the time at Andover developed methods to facilitate Aiki exercises for people with limited movement, using visualisation and intention, passed this to Sensei Burke. I am informed that this had positive results though I was not privy to the letters alleged to have been received at Isshinkai Dojo pertaining to the results, though I was told that people had gained movement that impressed families of clients.
I teach a philosophy of unconditional love, self respect, respect for others and non violent self defence with the tenacity of aiki connection producing a gentle constructive form of Aikido
through experience changing negative thought and language to produce positive outcomes confronting violence with love so as not escalating violence