If you ever tried to find some good educational videos about ukemi there’s a good chance that you stopped looking right when Donovan Waite “Meeting the Mat” explanations were found. You may get no idea why it’s attractive but you will get the feeling that everything should work just like that because of the softness and smoothness of the moves.
Donovan Waite (1958 – Feb 21, 2021) got his Shodan at the age of 14. Through years of practice, he had a chance to learn from a lot of foremost instructors and spent over ten years as Yamada Sensei‘s uchi-deshi. He’s doing aikido now for almost 50 years and is a 7th Dan Aikikai certified Shihan.
Donovan Waite is a great example of the Aikido for the big people. And it’s not only about big power, one should put this kind of power in a very special place. Just watch his ukes go flying.
Sensei is teaching in his Philadelphia Dojo and all around the world these days. Besides “Meeting the Mat” video set Donovan Waite Sensei prepared one more product to be used remotely: Aikido3D. The app is good but going to the Dojo is the only way to learn any martial art.
I am terribly sorry to inform about the death of this great Aikido Shihan. Yamada sensei informed such bad news today with no further details. Perhaps, Hombu Dojo will make an official announcement then. My most solemn condolences to his family and friends. May the Lord be with him.
R.I.P.
So sorry for this very sad news… RIP sensei. 🙏
A great loss for Aikido comunity, may he rest in peace!! só sad!
DEP Donovan Sensei nuestros corazones estaran siempre contigo…
R.I.P Sensei
Rest in Light Sensei. I never had the honor of learning from but feel honored to have learned of her gift.
Light is never lost. I have been privileged to know and train with Sensei. May your Spirit be in harmony.
Feel heartbroken…..A great and inspiring man ! Condolences to his family and all Aïkidokas who kew him.
Robert (Belgium)
One of the most peaceful and polite people I met in my life. I participated in two seminars that he taught. Rest in peace Sensei