Welcome to the Aikido Club! We’re a close bunch made up of a wide spectrum of different skill levels! Given its lethal nature (it’s true) Aikido is indeed a non competitive sport. Our club provides the opportunity for you to train with seasoned practitioners and senseis who can offer support in building a strong foundation in Aikido. Aside from our active training schedule, we will also be holding online socials and exercise sessions incorporating both Aiki Taiso techniques and rigorous workouts for members to attend (See taster sessions).
What makes us different from other martial arts:
On a purely physical level Aikido incorporates throws and joint locks derived from jiu-jitsu as well as sword art weapons work, including bokken (sword), tanto (knife), and jo (staff). It focuses on using the opponent's energy against them in order to gain control and we value spatial awareness and discipline in the face of aggression as a mode for self-defense and peace of mind. Aikido very much focuses on motion and the dynamics of movement. There is no sparring against resistant opponents, or in competition.
How we train:
Under the care of GoShinkai (our principal dojo), UCL Aikido Club has produced many Dan and Kyu grades, which are held regularly at the Club. Founded in 1977, the UCL Aikido Club is the one with the longest history amongst UCL martial arts clubs. We offer the traditional non-competitive Aikikai style training; beginners are welcome as we offer training from basics to black belt level. We take part in national seminars and camps, and we are affiliated to the Aikikai Foundation. We take pride in being inclusive and forming strong friendships throughout years of training and we always like meeting new people to include in our Aikido family. We organize social events ranging from Christmas Dinners to pub crawls.
Training times (starting on 4th October):
Wednesdays: advanced: 18:30 - 19:30, beginners and mixed: 19:30 - 21:30, in the Multipurpose Room
Saturdays: 14:00 - 16:00, in the Mandela Studio
Location: 15 Gordon Street, Bloomsbury Fitness
*No gym entrance or per-session training fee for members, and those trialing membership.
*All levels are welcome, from beginners to experts.
Please email [email protected] for any questions!
Types of memberships:
We now offer 3 tiers of memberships depending on your level of involvement! They can be purchased at any time in the year.
- Full membership: This membership allows you to have: full insurance for aikido training, attend face-to-face training sessions, access social events, access online group chat platforms (facebook, whatsapp, discord) and access recorded training sessions (especially if unable to make it for face-to-face training). If you intend to practice face-to-face aikido training with us at any point during this year, this is the membership for you! Price: £30
- Social membership: This membership gives you access to: all club socials and online group chat platforms (facebook, whatsapp, instagram). If you prefer the social side of things this is the membership for you! Price: £10
- Remote membership: This membership gives you access to: taster training sessions, the mailing list (newsletters), and taster recorded training sessions. If you can not or do not want to join us right away but still enjoy or want to discover what aikido is and who we are this is the membership for you! Price: £0
How to contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @uclaikido
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uclaikido/
Mailing list link: https://forms.gle/xoi6KhrQeKzBxcML8
Senseis: Barbara Sotowicz (chief instructor), Ara Schorscher-Petcu (regular instructor), Tarjew Kirkland (regular instructor). Here's a link to the club's history: http://www.bloomsburyaikido.co.uk/who-we-are/