What can Aikido do for you?
It teaches you a very sound self defence system, for added confidence in your life;
A fitness system keeping you toned throughout the whole body;
Awareness in this uncertain world, where positive thinking is a must;
Meeting others all over the world with the same goals, keeping open minded;
Becoming the person you wish to be, by overcoming fear and panic and through training with top teachers. (All our teachers have been certified by the Aikido Alliance board.);
Aikido is an art that is practiced by the UK military and many major police forces.
I am not at all fit
You do not have to be as all teachers will take you through a system that will allow you to train at a pace that your fitness can grow at.
I have never done a martial art before and have no idea what it is
Not many who come to Aikido do know what to expect, so we suggest you first go along and look at a class, talk to the teacher and see if you like it enough to try out an introductory course. Normally this will be over a few weeks, by then you will know if Aikido is for you.
I could never do what I see in people doing online
These people were all like you once, just normal people with no particular skills. All they have had is the fun building up to what you now see. Perhaps one day you will be in films on Youtube, etc. and thinking back on your initial doubts. Many have taken this path. No one is born a master of self-defence but in time you could become one, but only if you really want it.
At what age can I start?
We welcome everyone but currently have an age restriction which only allows 18 years olds and beyond.
What age would be considered too old?
This will be your choice. We have students in their seventies training. No one is turned away unless it is considered a health problem.
Will it matter if I have studied another martial art?
No, and it can even help. Talk with the teacher about your existing skills.
Can I still join if my job prevents me from training regularly?
We realise not everyone can come to practice on a regular basis, but you will be welcome to come and enjoy the training when you can. As life is always changing, circumstances may allow you to train more regularly in the future and then the time spent to that date will be to your advantage. To wait until you have regular time may mean waiting forever. Do not wait – do it now while it’s in your thoughts. Now is the best time.
What should I wear?
At first just loose clothing covering the full legs and arms. lf you like it we can supply or tell you where to buy the appropriate clothing, but prices can vary greatly (depending on quality) so it its worth shopping around.
What will it cost me?
Some clubs offer set monthly fees which are better value than paying per class. If you decide Aikido is for you then you would have to pay an additional annual subscription covering your membership of the main organisation. Currently single lessons (1.5 hours) are £6.00 or a monthly subscription of £40 (covering potentially 12 classes!)
What is Aikido and what makes lwama Aikido different from other styles of Aikido taught in the world today?
The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (known as O-Sensei) developed his martial art from a number of ancient martial systems, including Jujutsu (Art of Suppleness), Ken-jutsu (Art of the Sword) and Jo-jutsu (Art of the Staff).
The resultant art of Aikido was revealed to the public in 1946 and became one of the fastest growing ‘modern’ martial arts to date.
O-Sensei’s Aikido is based not only upon Taijutsu (body arts) but also the use of weapons, namely the Aiki Ken (wooden sword) and Aiki Jo (wooden quarter staff).
O-Sensei regarded an understanding of the use of these weapons as fundamental to the proper execution of open-handed (weaponless) techniques and would teach weapons at his dojo in Iwama, occasionally teaching weapons elsewhere. He would, however, perform demonstrations at other dojos and events. He wished for those looking for his Aikido to learn the Aiki weapons at the birth place of Aikido in Iwama.
The late Morihiro Saito, 9th Dan Aikido and a Shihan or Master Teacher began studying under O-Sensei in 1946. His shift work on the Japanese railways enabled Saito Sensei, who also lived in lwama, to learn O-Sensei’s Aikido first hand and allowed him the privilege of having only one teacher, the founder of Aikido.
If you would like more information please email contact@tonbo-aikido.org