Formed in 1988 under the direction of Malcolm Saunders, the Society has grown rapidly in an area already well served by other styles of Aikido.

Mal Saunders has practiced the art for over forty  years, many of them under the direction of Mr. Ken Williams. Teaching within the WAS seeks to build upon, and develop, principles of co-ordination of mind and body.

The style is based essentially, upon principles of Ki development. Basic techniques, both hand to hand and with weapons, are taught within a traditional framework, but throughout, the teaching emphasizes the attainment of harmony between partners and movement with both co-ordination and relaxation so as to allow greater extension of Ki.

A fundamental principle stressed to all students is that progress beyond mere basic techniques can only be by personal development via complete acceptance of the principles and practices of Ki development both on and off the mat.

Our style concentrated on the coordination of Mind & Body, first, in relation to the individual, then to the application of these principles to dealing with the coordination of others.

This is done through exercises designed to improve both posture and relaxation both when standing still and in movement. Further exercises, with a partner, follow more traditional forms of attack (hand to hand and with weapons) and defences against them - each linked to our ideas of coordination.