ABOUT

AIKIDO

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “The Way of unifying with life’s energy or as “The Way of harmony”.

Aikido is primarily derived from Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu. It is said that Daito-Ryu was founded 800 years ago by Shinra-Saburo Minamoto no Yoshimitsu. The Kai Genji Takeda Family (one of the Samurai local rulers) preserved Daito-Ryu as a secret martial art within the family. Nobody knew even the name of this martial art until Sokaku Takeda Sensei began teaching the art outside of the family in the late 19th century.

The principal of Aikido is not to over power your opponent, but to harmonize without using physical strength.

YOSHINKAN

Yoshinkan is a style of aikido meaning ‘House for Cultivating the Spirit’. It was founded after World War Two by Soke Gozo Shioda (a first generation student of Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba)

Yoshinkan Aikido has some 160 basic techniques and through the practice of these techniques strengthens the body and mind. 

The emphasis in Yoshinkan Aikido is on the study of basic movements and techniques. Detailed step-by-step instruction provides an understanding of the whole technique as well as its composite parts, exploring how an attack can be redirected without strength.

Yoshinkan Aikido is now taught around the world. It is the only recognized martial art taught to the Tokyo Riot Police.

THE TAIDOKAN

The Taidokan is one of the oldest Yoshinkan associations in the UK with the name awarded by the founder of Yoshinkan; Soke Gozo Shioda, who also bestowed the title Shibucho to Sensei Yates to lead the development of Aikido Yoshinkan in the UK.

Sensei Yates is head of the Taidokan and has instructors and students worldwide.

“Aikido is a hierarchical set of constructs, one built upon the previous.

The secret to learning aikido is in a thorough understanding of these building blocks”

Shibucho, Yoshinkan UK, 8th Dan

UNITED KINGDOM

WATFORD

Training every Monday & Friday

Adults: 7 pm - 9 pm

Juniors: please contact club

Parmiters school (Gym),

High Elms Lane, Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire,

WD25 OUU