gouttard aikido

Philippe Gouttard started practising Aikido in 1970. He quickly went on to study with top Japanese masters (Nobuyoshi Tamura, Masamichi Noro and Hirozaku Kobayashi Sensei) in France and abroad. He met Katsuaki Asai Sensei during a seminar taught by master Noro. This encounter was decisive as he traveled to study with him for 7 years in Germany. In 1978, he met Christian Tissier which finally put him on the tracks of his current Aikido practice. Since that day, he has constantly been studying under Tissier Shihan and progressed along with him. Philippe also met Yamaguchi Sensei whom he practised with regularly during his many trips at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. He was technical director for the Rhône-Alpes region for 15 years and he now regularly teaches seminars in France and Europe. In this interview, Philippe unveils the concepts behind his practice. Encounter with a golden hearted giant.

With more than twenty trips to Japan and an exceptional experience with many prestigious and respected Masters, Philippe Gouttard is one of the most sought after technicians for his very personal insight on the Aikido discipline which he conceives as nothing less than an Art of communication. He shares with us today his vision of Aikido practice and what he seeks to develop through it.