The Aikido Cork Open Centre was founded by Decker Sensei, a student of internal martial arts for over 40 years, as a Centre for the study and practice of Aikido and T'ai Chi Ch'uan in Cork City. He received all of his Aikido and T'ai Chi Ch'uan training in the United States. While studying with two great T'ai Chi Ch'uan Masters in New York City, he began his Aikido journey in 1985 at the New York
Aikikai. He was fortunate to study with and take classes taught by the greatest of the Japanese masters, the students and heirs of Morihei Ueshiba or O'Sensei (Great Teacher), the Founder of Aikido. He studied under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, 8th Dan and Seiichi Sugano Shihan, 8th Dan, at the NY Aikikai, and others, but, it was the genius of Shihan Mitsugi Saotome Sensei, 8th Dan, who set him firmly on the path of Aikido, and opened his eyes to the true magic of AIKI. Today, Decker Sensei uses a soft approach to Aikido, focusing on connection (before the moment of physical contact, throughout and after) and soft power, light touch – heavy hands, moving away from the use of physical force. He looks at Aikido as meditation in action and action in meditation, a practice that emphasizes stillness through motion. He looks at the ‘DO’ in Aikido as a nameless process that happens, that changes the student’s shape of thoughts and actions over time, not through words and knowing but through feeling and listening. Decker Sensei maintains his relationship with and membership in the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and frequently travels to the United States to attend Saotome Shihan's seminars. He currently holds the rank of Rokudan - 6th Dan Aikikai Hombu Dojo, awarded by Philippe Gouttard Shihan, 7th Dan Aikikai/FFAAA.
