Welcome to Aikido in
Reading, Berkshire, UK at the White Oak Dojo, where we've been offering high quality martial arts training in the Reading area since 1991. We run courses in the basics of Aikido to provide beginners
(aged 18+) with a structured introduction to
this exciting martial art at the YMCA to the west of Reading and at the Caversham Heights Methodist Church Hall in Caversham to the north of Reading. We have a team of highly skilled and qualified male and female teachers with over 85 years' experience in Aikido, so you can be sure that your training will be of the highest calibre.
You're always welcome
to come and watch one of our Aikido sessions and
talk to us before
your first actual training session, which is
free, so you have a good opportunity to see if you'll enjoy Aikido, whether
it's the martial art for you and whether you like the club before committing to
anything. You can also come to any of our training sessions for a free taster Aikido class. Training is open to anyone over the age of 18 and we have no upper age limit.
Experienced Aikido practitioners can also join or
visit us, but please contact us in advance. We also run an Aikido club at Reading
University, probably the longest running martial arts club at the University of Reading, which operates during term
times, offering Aikido training for Reading
University students and staff only.
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a fascinating and engrossing,
traditional Japanese martial art, a way of self-defence, that uses an attacker's strength, momentum
and aggression against themselves in order to
resolve a conflict. Historically, the techniques of Aikido
originate from the throws, joint locks, sword and
staff techniques of the samurai warrior. Aikido optimises the
body's movement to maximise its efficiency and
power, developing a deep kinaesthetic
understanding of how the body works and how this
power can be used most effectively.
Aikido is a
martial art that does not rely on the
practitioner being stronger, fitter or faster
than an attacker, so
it can become a lifelong study. Aikido is a very
flexible martial art, where the practitioner learns to use a level
of response appropriate to the situation.
Emphasis in Aikido training is placed on evading,
absorbing and redirecting an attack, rather than
blocking or parrying. Aikido teaches the
importance of achieving mental calm and control
of one's own body in order to deal with an
opponent's attack without causing unnecessary
harm. At one extreme, a form of Aikido is used
by the Tokyo riot police, but unlike some other
martial arts, the ultimate aim of modern Aikido
is to control, rather than to maim or kill an
opponent. Check out our tips on finding the best martial art for you.
Benefits of
Aikido
Aikido is a martial art in which
fitness, suppleness, good posture and
co-ordination are all developed through practice.
Self confidence grows as
we train in Aikido and, as co-ordination and
balance improve, we reconnect to being present in
our bodies and to occupying our personal space.
Aikido teaches us to identify our boundaries and
gives us the skills to defend them. As we gain confidence in our Aikido abilities, we can move away from adrenaline
fuelled 'flight or fight' reactions and instead
choose to respond in a manner appropriate to the
situation. The same Aikido approach can be
extended to non-physical conflicts and
confrontations.
Modern living tends to make
us wary of physical contact. Aikido teaches us
to work in close contact with another person in
scenarios where physical contact is at its most
threatening. Aikido is a dynamic,
expansive martial art. Aikido gives us
the opportunity to express ourselves freely
through movement. The absence of tension and
resistance helps to release the ingrained
constraints on our bodies and our movement, that
give rise to frustrations, energy blockages and
illnesses. Aikido teaches us to face our fears
of confrontation and to learn a new way of
resolving conflict. Aikido develops physical
relaxation, mental calmness and awareness in
order to be able to respond freely to what
occurs. Regular training in Aikido helps
practitioners to become centred and grounded and,
therefore, better able to deal with the stresses of
daily life.
Lineage and
Affiliation
White Oak
Aikido was founded in 1991, based at the YMCA,
Parkside Road, Reading Berkshire, and
carries on an Aikido tradition in Reading
which was first established in 1969 at our
sister Aikido club at Reading
University, under the auspices of
Haydn
Foster Sensei (7th Dan), one of the great
pioneers of Aikido in the UK in the 1950s. Our senior
instructor was a direct student of Haydn Foster
Sensei for many years and all our instructors
are recognised as coaches by the British Aikido
Board, the national governing body for Aikido in
the UK. We teach a traditional style of Aikido
incorporating empty-handed
techniques, the bokken and the jo - take a look at our vision here.
to Aikido in
Reading, Berkshire, UK at the White Oak Dojo, where we've been offering high quality martial arts training in the Reading area since 1991. We run courses in the basics of Aikido to provide 
is a fascinating and engrossing,
traditional Japanese martial art, a way of self-defence, that uses an attacker's strength, momentum
and aggression against themselves in order to
resolve a conflict. Historically, the techniques of Aikido
originate from the throws, joint locks, sword and
staff techniques of the samurai warrior. Aikido optimises the
body's movement to maximise its efficiency and
power, developing a deep kinaesthetic
understanding of how the body works and how this
power can be used most effectively.
Aikido is a martial art in which
fitness, suppleness, good posture and
co-ordination are all developed through practice.
Self confidence grows as
we train in Aikido and, as co-ordination and
balance improve, we reconnect to being present in
our bodies and to occupying our personal space.
Aikido teaches us to identify our boundaries and
gives us the skills to defend them. As we gain confidence in our Aikido abilities, we can move away from adrenaline
fuelled 'flight or fight' reactions and instead
choose to respond in a manner appropriate to the
situation. The same Aikido approach can be
extended to non-physical conflicts and
confrontations.
White Oak
Aikido was founded in 1991, based at the