KI NO NAGARE AIKIKAI AIKIDO DOJO

Classes take place in a beautiful 80 sqm Dojo, at 16 Balderton Street, Mayfair, which is only 5 minutes walk from Bond Street  and Marble Arch tube stations, and is well served by buses. The tatami mats are of excellent quality allowing the students to safely execute the falls, as well as the sliding and pivot movements, which are typical of Aikido.

Aikido is a dynamic Japanese martial art developed in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 – 1969).  Aikido is translated as "the way of unifying with life energy."

Its curriculum comprises various techniques, primarily throws, joint locks and pins. This includes empty handed techniques against strikes or grabs as well as techniques against attacks with wooden weapons: bokken (sword), tanto (knife) and jo (short staff).

Aikido training is mental and physical. It boosts, through the study of breathing exercises, the ability to relax the mind and the body even under the stress of unexpected demanding situations.

 Aikido helps people realize their full potential as individuals. According to the founder's philosophy, the primary goal in the practice of Aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness.

Aikido principles include atemi (hitting), irimi (entering), kokyu-ryoku (breathing power), sankaku-ho (triangular principle) and tenkan (turning) movements that redirect the opponent's attack momentum.

 The classes start with breathing exercises to study the connection between the breathing and the use of the energy in the body, and in general the coordination between the body and the mind. A warmup follows with various stretching and conditioning exercises to strengthen the body core. Several types of rolls are studied as part of the art of safely receiving techniques (ukemi).

Then begins the study of the curriculum of Aikido empty handed and armed techniques. Students at the end of the class feel energised and relaxed.