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Beginners

Comment from a Beginner: "The club offers professional training in which you are allowed to progress at your own pace.  The Sensei is passionate about his craft and has a vast amount of knowledge and experience.   The other members are extremely welcoming and immediately put one at ease.  Its amazing how after just a few weeks you can develop to some quite complicated moves.  For me Aikido is not just about the physical training aspect but also clarity of mind too.  Even after a hard work out, you go home really refreshed and envigorated. It's a great way to get fit!  You are able to tone up and become more flexible and your stamina levels increase too."

Avoidance is very important in Aikido

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can children do Aikido?

In Japan, Aikido is often started by children as young as four years old.

Currently there are no junior classes at Yukikan. The nearest club is located at Toynbee School, Chandlers Ford where John Carpenter (our resident Dan Grade is Assistant Coach) www.eac.freeuk.com

What about women?

Women practice in clubs on an equal footing with men. Aikido is a full contact martial art but because it does not involve sweeps, punches or kicks and men and women can practice safely together. Men and Women do not compete against each other in competitions.

And older people?

Aikido can be practiced at a variety of levels and paces - there is a significant intellectual and philosophical hinterland to be discovered and those of more mature years bring their own perspectives to practice. You can practice from the age of four to 104... and still find something new to learn. It also has immense benefits to older people, specially on their health. Learning aikido also provides elders personal protection not even the best life cover insurance policies can give.

Do I need any special equipment to start?

No. Just go along to a club with something warm and loose - track suit and t-shirt are fine. After a few weeks, when you have settled in, you may want to buy Gi (martial arts syuit) - which cost about £22.

How much does it cost to practice?

It is traditional in Aikido for the teacher to give their time free of charge therefore we only ask for a contribution towards the costs of the practice - such as hall hire, and to fund the operating costs of the club (which currently stands at £5 per session). Yukikan Aikido Club is not a profit making enterprise and do not exist to supply the teachers with an income. We practice for love of the arts and we pass them on free to those who are interested, just as they were taught to us.

Once you have joined the club, you will also be asked to join the British Aikido Association. Membership of the association provides benefits such as insurance cover and most impportantly the ability to attend gradings, competitions and seminars.