Aikido

AIKIDO

Founded by Morehei Ueshiba in 1945, Aikido is a formal Japanese martial art, and a specialized form of mind and body coordination training. In comparison, Aikido shares the relaxed, fluid style movements and internal training aspects of Tai-ji Chuan while utilizing many grappling techniques from the much older art of Shaolin Kempo. Overall, however, Aikido is a distinctively Japanese art based on Budo (Japanese martial traditions), which has many unique aspects in its training and philosophy. Aikido also follows the tradition of the Samurai, and is based on the sword and the spirit of the Samurai, keeping the tradition alive and in today's society.

A sensei has written "Practicing all the techniques with Ki gives students a greater understanding of how to receive the maximum efficiency and power of each technique. I have watched students who are not physically as powerful as others are able to maintain control over them. Also the ability to move very quickly gives the opportunity to avoid a very powerful strike. I enjoy performing the multiple attacks because of the fact that it can teach you what a real life situation may be.

Weapon disarmament is one of the main characteristics of Aikido with a variety of uses. Learning how to defend against a knife and also how to use it gives the practitioner the real world knowledge needed. The disarmament of long weapons (sword and jo) teach the student distance, timing, and judgment and also gives practical experience of how it would be out on the street.”

In our dojo, you will learn dynamic self-defence modelled on great masters such as Sensei Christian Tissier, Sensei Keith Moore or Sensei Yasuo Kobayashi.

Aikido is now offered on Monday evenings from 6.45pm and on Saturday afternoons from 2.00opm. The training is delivered by Tomasz Krolak and Magdalena Maciejewska both very experienced instructors.