New introductory course, taught by one of our most experienced instructors Joe Rossabi (2nd Dan).

This course is based around the central concepts of Aikido, and like the basic beginners course is designed to be a springboard onto other courses or mainstream classes. Our usual beginners course takes a set of techniques and various concepts would be introduced as appropriate. This course starts with the concepts as the focal point and uses techniques to highlight these concepts.

The concepts are:

REIGI dojo etiquette – how and why things are done eg when to bow, why we keep the dojo clean (other than the obvious).
AIKI TAISO – preliminary exercises, stretching and centring.
UKEMI – breakfalls. How to receive techniques safely and meaningfully.
HANMI and other stances. How to stand. Why we stand so. The founder was famous for appearing to know what his assailant was going to do before he did it. Part of the secret of this is in so presenting yourself as not to give any opening, unless one is deliberately given as a trap.
KOKYU – the power source of Aikido. Learning to use the body as a single unit and to harness the power of the hips and centre, driving out of the ground in such a way that the skilled practitioner can easily overcome raw strength. Learning not to use the arms as pistons – there are more powerful and effective ways to use them.
AWASE – blending. The key to Aikido is to avoid collision and confrontation by moving to match the energy directed at you.
ZAN SHIN – Be alert and focussed at the end of every technique. The body may be still, but the mind is still active.
IRIMI – the entering principle. The way out of a circle of multiple attackers.
TENKAN – absorbing, usually turning actions.
BUKI WAZA – the weapons system is fundamental to learning Aikido. We will look at the basic sword cut and jo thrusts.
ATEMI – striking to vital points – the essence of applied Aikido.
KIHON, KI NO NAGARE, HENKA, OYO WAZA – different forms of training.

£60 for 10 weekly 2-hour sessions

This price includes a martial arts suit.

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