About Quiet Confidence

Tony's journey in martial arts began in the 1970s, when he was still at school. At first it was about learning to protect himself — a simple motivation that set him on a lifelong path.

He started with Karate, then Shorinji Kempo, until a motorcycle accident injured his leg. During his recovery he trained in Jiu Jitsu and Kendo. Then one day he walked past a building, saw people training in white gi and hakama, and stepped inside. It was an Aikido class, and it became his lifelong art. He earned his first black belt in 1990, and trained for many years in Iaido, the art of the sword, which deepened his understanding of structure, precision, and timing.

Over time his focus moved from physical technique to something deeper: how to create change in another person through connection rather than force. That led him to the principles at the heart of Quiet Confidence — grounding, structure, volume, space, gravity, and timing.

Working with students living with Lupus and Cerebral Palsy taught him that good structure and natural movement are universal, regardless of ability. And it changed how he sees his role. He describes himself not as an instructor, but as a facilitator: someone who helps others discover their own relationship to movement, awareness, and integrity.