Samurai and the throws and joint locks of Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jutsu, creating a new martial art that he called Aikido.
The Meidokan Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo in London follows the teachings of the late Gozo Shioda Kancho, a direct student of Ueshiba Sensei. Established in 1991, the dojo aims to uphold the traditional principles and techniques of Yoshinkan Aikido.
Aikido, often translated as 'The Way of Harmony', is a defensive martial art that emphasises using an attacker's own power and momentum against them. Instead of opposing force with force, Aikido practitioners use circular movements to disrupt an attack and neutralise it through locks or throws, using minimum force necessary. This principles make it an effective martial art for people of all genders and sizes, as it does not rely on physical strength.
Yoshinkan Aikido is particularly recognised for its effectiveness as a self-defence system and is even taught to female police officers in Japan. By constant training in basic movements and techniques, students at Meidokan learn to be centred and rooted while cultivating both their mind and body.
Aikido is not just about learning self-defence techniques, but also about following 'The Way' – the path of self-realisation. Just like other martial arts such as Karate and Judo, Aikido is seen as a means to develop discipline, self-knowledge, and a code of conduct to live by. In our modern world, these qualities are more important than ever, and the practise of Aikido allows students to train towards this ideal.
At Meidokan, students have the opportunity to learn from experienced and dedicated teachers. Ueshiba Sensei, also known as O'Sensei, was the founder of modern Aikido and was a highly respected practitioner of classical Japanese sword and throwing arts. Having learned the techniques and secrets of Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jutsu from Sokaku Takeda, he synthesised them with cutting techniques of the samurai, creating the art of Aikido.
The Meidokan Yoshinkan Aikido Dojo in London welcomes individuals of all ages and backgrounds to join their classes. Whether you are looking to learn self-defence, improve your physical fitness, or cultivate discipline and self-understanding, Meidokan offers a supportive and inclusive environment to explore the art of Aikido. For more information or to get in touch with the dojo, visit their website or email them at info@meidokan. Org.