Welcome to Kingston Aikido Club

Classes: Monday & Wednesday 8:00pm to 9:30pm
Location: Kingston University Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Road. KT1 2EE
Prices: £9 waged | £7 unwaged / students

The Japanese martial art of Aikido, The Way of Harmony, is a comprehensive system of throwing, joint-locking, striking and pinning techniques, coupled with training in traditional Japanese weapons such as the sword, staff and knife. Founded by » Morihei Ueshiba (1883 -1969) early in the twentieth century following his own extensive study of various armed and unarmed martial systems.

To those unfamiliar with this non-aggressive Martial Art, Aikido teaches the principle of blending; the softest things can overcome the hardest. The Aikido practitioner would not try to stop a punch by blocking, instead they would blend with the attackers energy, diverting the force and lead them to the ground.

By its very nature, Aikido is suitable for men, women and children of all ages as it does not rely on physical strength for its effectiveness. Through regular training students learn to harness their inner strength.

Aikido, The Way of Harmony

Please feel free to » contact us with any question about our club
left to right: Sue Taylor, sensei Foster and Thomas Nogues

About Kingston Aikido

Kingston Aikido club was formed in 2003 by Sue Taylor and Thomas Nogues who both studied under sensei Foster at the Hut dojo

Sue grew and developed the club, promoting and teaching many students before emigrating to Canada in 2011. The club is now run by Fernando Raposo, chief instructors being Ali Khan along with assist instructors and is based at Kingston University Fitness Centre, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Upon Thames, London, England. KT1 2EE.

Kingston Aikido club is affiliated to the Institute Of Aikido (IOA) which was founded by » sensei Haydn Foster in 1973.

Instructors at kingston aikido are DR. Ali Khan and Fernando Raposo

Kingston Aikido club

Ali Khan Sensei (4th dan IOA): People come to Aikido for many reasons: self-defence, control of one's body movement, learn to remain calm in stressful situations, keep fit and flexible. Aikido can satisfy all of these needs and, no matter what benefit a student initially seeks, he or she will find other goals as they continue to practice.

Fernando Raposo Sensei (1st dan IOA): Centralisation, correct breathing and circular movements are key to applying Aikido technique, but more important, is harmonising with your training partner with free and easy movement, going with the flow. The use of one's physical strength undermines this key element of aikido and slows down learning.

Haydn Foster sensei the founder of the Institute of aikido

Haydn Foster sensei (1927 - 2011)

One often hears senior practitioners talk about 'What they've done for Aikido'. This is an attitude that always bemuses me. Would my life have been the same without Aiki? I don't think so Sensei Haydn Foster

Haydn Foster sensei 7th Dan was one of the early practitioners of Aikido in England, beginning his studies in 1958. He was born to a Welsh family who emigrated in the early 1930's to England, and it was in Uxbridge Middlesex that he and his 3 siblings would grow up and be introduced to Aikido

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