A summaryWe practise aikido, the non-aggressive but dynamic Japanese martial art of self-defence, and we welcome all ages and levels of fitness to come along and see what we do!
We’re maybe a little unusual amongst other martial arts schools because we’re family-centred, which means we especially welcome parents and their children (from about 7 - 8 years old) to learn aikido together with us in a relaxed, friendly and encouraging environment. Of course, adults are welcome on their own too!
About Milton Keynes Aikido ClubWe pride ourselves on being something a bit unusual in martial arts: a family-centred club. That means we encourage parents and children to train with us together in family groups, because we've found that learning aikido as a family is one of the best ways of ensuring steady progress. Mum, dad and the kids encourage each other along the way AND they take aikido home with them!
Of course, we also welcome individuals of all ages and levels of fitness to come and explore this fascinating art with us.
What do we get from training together? Well, first of all everyone becomes a bit more physically active, and the direct benefit from that is the increased self-confidence and self-esteem we see in all our students. Then there are the mental wellbeing benefits, which have been particularly important for us all during 2020. We see the club as one big extended family, where each person is encouraged to develop as a person in a completely supportive environment. Shy youngsters (and adults) soon realise that our dojo is a safe space where they can grow without fear of criticism, bullying or mockery. We don't tolerate egos or arrogance, and "show-offs" have no place here.
We do a lot of laughing while we train, because it's probably the best wellbeing medicine and good friends can always laugh (and sometimes cry) together. It's a cliché, but we really are here for each other, and being together for aikido training is a great way to help you work through whatever issues you might be facing.
The aikido journey takes a lifetime, which is why it appeals to those who want to gain a deep understanding of this complex martial art. Progress isn't measured by a collection of coloured belts (though we always love it when our students pass their next grading), but in the way we see a student's character and demeanour grow.
Typical Training Session
We usually begin each training session with some warm-up stretching exercises, and then we run through footwork drills (unsoku and tandoku-undo), breakfalling (ukemi) practice and the basic kata techniques in pairs. Every few weeks we also dust off our work with the bokken (the Japanese wooden training sword), since so much of aikido - in its earliest forms - developed from sword techniques. It's important to say at this point that we never ask our students to attempt any techniques, throws or breakfalls before they feel ready and confident to do so. For example, it usually takes many months of practice before a new student feels confident enough to attempt a forward rolling breakfall (mae ukemi) from a standing start, so we always start everything at mat level and work our way up slowly.
After basic drill and kata revision, we then move on to the "new bit" in each lesson, which might be a new kata technique or a variation, or sometimes (as you'll see in the photos) a piece of "street aikido".
We always like to include freeplay in each training session, since it gives our students the chance to try out their techniques at a faster pace and against more rapid and varied "attacks" by their training partners. This sometimes includes defending against an attack with a rubber training knife (tanto), and sometimes - just to keep everyone on their toes - we throw in freeplay against two opponents (ninindori). Freeplay involves lots of movement and avoidance and - for those taking the part of the "attacker" (uke) - lots of breakfalls! It's a great way to tire everyone out at the end, and it's a lot of fun!
Our sessions usually end with a minute or two of reflection in a circle in the Japanese seiza style of sitting (or cross-legged if that's uncomfortable). It's called mokusó, which means something like "meditation", and it's a good way of "coming down" at the end of a training session or a busy week at work. We then finish the session with a collective kneeling bow (za rei) to each other as a sign of mutual respect.
