We practice empty hand and weapons techniques (boken, jo, tanto).
Many people initially come to Aikido to learn to defend themselves. Aikido is a great tool for self defence in many ways some of which are not immediately obvious to the new or prospective student. Self defence is firstly about appearance, how you stand, walk and act. Secondly it is about your attitude, you need to be confident but with some humility. Thirdly it is about your approach to a situation, to meet force with force or anger with anger may not be the best approach. Finally and if you are good at the first three parts of self defence you will never need it, is physically dealing with an attack.
There are many great practical techniques that physically deal with an attack, controlling and subdueing while still remaining in control. Here there is a marked difference between Aikido and various other martial arts such as karate and judo. If you hit somebody or throw them you have very little control over the extent of the injuries you inflict. In Aikido you have the option to control a person without inflicting any lasting injuries thereby reducing the chance of doing something you may regret.
Self confidence grows over time when training in Aikido. It is a side effect of all the other parts put together. Better posture with the correct attitude, improved fitness and the knowledge of the practical skills of Aikido all add up to a strong feeling of self worth and confidence. Many victims of bullying would be helped greatly by studying Aikido with its many positive side effects.
Why go to a gym or health club and only get the benefits of improved fitness when you can train in Aikido and get fit with an adrenaline kick and still improve yourself in so many other positive ways. Our training sessions accomodate all ages and fitnesses from children to go get it 60 year olds. You do not have to be fit or work hard, but be rest assured, however fit you are, if you want a work out we can make you sweat, the choice is yours. It was said "if you can lift a bag of rice you can practice Aikido" (unknown source), this quote may have been changed slightly through the years but the principle remains the same, in more modern terms if you have the strength to lift a cup to your mouth you are strong enough to practice Aikido.
The practice of Aikido teaches you many things about your body that you knew when you were a small child but have forgotten or got into bad habits with over your lifetime. Posture is very important in Aikido and the majority of new students have little awarness of their posture. When a person is walking towards you it is your posture on which they will first judge you because it is the first discernable characteristic. Most people will be able to spot their parents or partners at the limits of visible range due to the way they walk, roll their shoulders or hold their head up.
By improving your posture you can change peoples perception of you, transforming yourself and no longer being viewed as a weak target. When a lion is stalking a herd of deer he does not attack the majority but singles out the weakest target. You can change yourself from being the weak target.
Defined in the dictionary as "modesty, laking pretence, not believing that you are superiour to others". Your attitude towards others is a major factor in how you will be treated. To be over-confident, "cocky", "have an attitude" or "a chip on your shoulder" is completely wrong yet from previous experience with other martial arts this can be encouraged or a side effect of their methods of training. Aikido has no competition so you never "beat" anybody, we are all equal. A slightly humble attitude allows you to be open to others opinions and be able to listen.
When training on the mat with a partner their wellbeing is your responsibility. You must have respect for them and their bodies because they are letting you use their body as a tool for you to improve. Respect is gained over time and not so relevant to the total picture of self defence, however if you have no respect for anybody you are unlikely to have any humility.
Aikido is one of the few sports (in the loosest sense of the word) that allows the practictioner to train all their lives. The nature of the techniques mixed with the respect participants have for each others well being means an Aikidoka can practice well into their eighties and beyond! Aikido encourages a supply body and a thoughful mind, an often neglected part of the body that can just as easily fall into disrepair should it not be excersied properly. The deep breathing gives energy and vitality whatever age you are. So even if you are starting at forty you could quite easily have another forty or more years of Aikido.
At Ulverston Aikido Club we aim to foster a good sense of friendship and a place where you feel you belong. Beginners are always welcome and get to train with everybody at all levels right from the start. We do not beleive in segragation.
Ulverston Aikido Club is a member of Shobu Aikido UK under the direction of Sensei George Forbes (5th Dan). There are two other clubs in South Cumbria who are members of Shobu Aikido UK, further details can be found on the Club page:
