At various stages in my life I have studied engineering, automotive, marine, computing, photography, politics, philosophy, finance, history, culture, languages, music and sports. I have also had a lifelong interest in martial arts and health. I have various qualifications related to those areas. I started out in engineering but the main role throughout my life has been as a teacher.

My long term interest has been the Japanese martial art of Aikido (plus Judo, Jujutsu and Wing Chun Kung Fu). The main goal of Aikido is to recognise, de-escalate, and resolve conflict. In order to better understand Asian martial arts, and Aikido in particular, I spent about 20 years studying, living, and working in Asia. I have also studied shiatsu and massage and am interested in how the body naturally moves. I have coached about 20 people to the level of black belt and beyond.

Working as a teacher I have had to deal with all kinds of people. Most are good people, but there are always the tricky few whose main intention seems to be to give you that proverbial 'bad day'. However, I have always found that I could dissipate negative energy and turn it around. For example, before I could persuade a disbelieving mum to get her disruptive son Johnny to be quiet and study in my class I would first have to get her on my side. I could not just complain about her precious Johnny who could do no wrong in her eyes. I may raise the problem by eliciting it rather than stating it, both from young Johnny and his mum - and in a 'kind' way. I expect some rebuttal, which is natural, and will respond without escalation. I will ask for her help. My aim is to win over the mum - I need her to know that I am only trying to help - not to complain. So now Johnny is her problem too. She will tell him what to do and monitor him far more carefully than could I. And even better, Johnny knows I know his mum. The result is desirable to both his mum and myself - Johnny studies in class - so everyone is happy.

These days, the students have become restless. Too much sugar, too much TV, too many video games, too much chatting on the phone and it has become a real problem. Nothing is being done about it and the problems get worse. What to do!