Martial Arts for Beginners in London
"All life is a manifestation of the spirit, the manifestation of love. " - Morihei Ueshiba
For a beginner to martial arts, it can be quite a daunting experience to find a system whose style you can identify with and you want to learn. Every club, even of the same system, is different because of the Instructors skills and coaching methods, and the class members you will train with.
Many beginners are drawn into martial arts by friends who are already in training. Whereas this provides a comfort when starting, the interests and goals of that friend may be slightly different to those of your own. We recommend that you try to visit as many different clubs as possible to see what is going on and to determine whether you think you will be happy to commit to a learning program that will likely be a journey of many years. If an instructor is not happy with that, it may well be that there are other areas you would not be happy with either.
Many Martial Arts teach defence by use of a strong offense. That is to say that they counter attack as quickly as possible to neutralise an attacker by punching and kicking them to the ground. There's no doubt that this works, although you do have a legal duty, which you may have to prove, to use commensurate force. That can be loosely defined as using as little force as will do the job. The trouble is that an attacker may not be an intruder or some stranger armed with cricket bat, but a friend, or even a family member who is temporarily out of control.
Aikido is a defensive only skill. There is no punching and kicking, no boxing and bag thumping. It's always inviting argument to make generalisations but here goes anyway! Aikido tends to appeal to thinkers.
People who don't want to be aggressive but who also want to be able to look out for themselves if the situation demands it. Its graceful and elegant and takes time to learn, but on the plus side you won't be going home with bruises every week and you will have met some friendly people to boot.
Please feel free to come along and visit - join in or just watch from our dojo seating area if you prefer. Either way you'll be welcome and hopefully you'll have an interesting time at our friendly aikido club.
Find out details of our training times and fees
Aikido is a modern Japanese Martial Art and is very different from disciplines such as Karate, Kick Boxing, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, MMA, BJJ, Kempo and Krav Maga where there is emphasis on kicking, punching or wrestling.
Aikido is an extremely efficient self defence (also as Self-Defence Women London) system utilising balance-taking and posture-breaking movements to achieve joint locks, pins and throws. It contains elements of Ju Jitsu, Kendo, Judo and other budo.
Aikido Classes are held every Tuesday and Wednesday evening at our Harrow dojo, and Thursday evening at our Pinner dojo in NW London. Pinner Aikido Club London is a part of the Kai Shin Kai International Traditional Aikido Association (KSK), which is a member of the Aikido Alliance.
Aikido is essentially a non-violent Martial art system that encourages the avoidance of confrontation and harmony with an aggressor. The classes are well attended with Aikido students always on the mat and aimed at all levels, from beginner to advanced but everyone is welcome to come along regardless of fitness or experience.
Our Aikido students work at their own pace during the training sessions and no one is forced into doing anything they are not comfortable with.
Pinner Aikido Club in London can help you achieve self-defense skills, self-esteem, confidence, and fitness. Most of all though, our classes are fun.
You do not have to be competitive or naturally athletic to take part in the Aikido class. Learning Aikido is about self-improvement and self-confidence.
Regardless of your size, body type and current level of physical ability or disability. If you are looking for a healthier, more confident way of life, then the modern art of Aikido may well be for you.