Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art that traces its roots back to the samurai warriors of the 12th Century. It gains its power not from striking or grappling, but from joint immobilisations and throws.

In the 1920s the techniques were collected by our founder, Morihei Ueshiba. He named the result aiki, which means harmony of spirit, do - way of life. We see aikido as a way to manage conflict without unnecessary violence, to restore harmony without the need to dominate. He wrote The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter – it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.

Aikido Alton

Aikido Alton is dedicated to mastering this inspiring art. First we learn to fall safely to avoid injury. Then we practice the technique with a partner, emphasising guiding and leading rather than speed and strength. Everything flows when we stop trying to dominate, but instead coordinate our mind and body with those of our partner. The more we achieve this harmony the easier our practice becomes. As a result our aikido gets better with age, and regular practice keeps us flexible and healthy. It’s a great way to de-stress too - the focus required by martial arts works like meditation to clear the mind.

So come and see what the fuss is about. We train on Tuesday evenings in Alton College Dance Studio, where thick mats and a sprung floor allow all abilities to work together safely. We welcome beginners and those with a background in other martial arts, and the first two weeks are free, so you can see if you love aikido as much as we do.