Six Thursdays · 7:00pm – 8:00pm · from 17 September 2026

Aikido Beginners Course

Do YOU want to:

Improve your strength & flexibility
Build confidence & mental focus
Become part of the community & make new connections

Join London's friendliest dojo!

Course Overview

The course runs every Thursday for six consecutive weeks, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, starting Thursday 17 September 2026 and finishing on Thursday 22 October 2026. Each week builds on the last, so attending all six sessions will give you the strongest foundation.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art built on using balance, timing and an attacker's own momentum rather than meeting force with force - principles that give it practical self-defence applications. This course is a structured introduction to those foundations. You will focus on the first few techniques of the randori-no-kata, alongside the essential physical skills required to practise safely and effectively.

No previous experience is required - just loose, comfortable exercise clothing (long trousers and a T-shirt). For safety, no jewellery or sharp accessories are permitted on the mat.

What's Included

Six weekly Thursday sessions

One hour of dedicated beginners' instruction every Thursday from 7:00pm – 8:00pm, running for six consecutive weeks (17 September – 22 October 2026).

Full club membership

London Aikido Dojo membership through to the end of 2026 (normally £20) is included in the course fee.

Access to all sessions

During the course you can also attend our other weekly classes: Tuesday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings.

Stay for the second hour

Beginners are encouraged to stay for the second hour of the class (8:00pm – 9:00pm) to observe or join in with more advanced practice as you feel comfortable.

About the £20 insurance: the ADS insurance is paid separately to the Aikido Development Society and must be in place before your first session.

Weekly Syllabus

One hour every Thursday, 7:00pm – 8:00pm.

Week	Date	Technical Focus	Core Techniques (randori-no-kata)
1	Thu 17 September 2026	Breaking Balance	#6 oshi-taoshi (Push Down) & #8 hiki-taoshi (Pull Down)
2	Thu 24 September 2026	Avoidance	#1 shomen-ate (Front Strike) & #5 ushiro-ate (Rear Strike)
3	Thu 1 October 2026	Natural Posture	#2 ai-gamae-ate (Natural Posture Strike)
4	Thu 8 October 2026	Opposite Posture	#3 gyaku-gamae-ate (Opposite Posture Strike)
5	Thu 15 October 2026	Low Level Entry	#4 gedan-ate (Low Strike)
6	Thu 22 October 2026	Review & Demo	Demonstration of techniques

Session Structure

Each session is built around a progressive structure to help you develop "mat fitness" and technical muscle memory.

Mat Etiquette: learning the traditional bowing and conduct that maintains a safe and respectful training environment.
Movement Drills: unsoku footwork patterns for distance and stability, plus tandoku-undo solo movement exercises to develop body power.
Breakfalls (ukemi): learning how to fall and roll safely, so that you can be "thrown" without injury.
Avoidance & Balance Breaking: using an opponent's momentum against them (kuzushi) rather than clashing with force - the heart of aikido's approach to dealing with an attack.
The Second Hour: a more general session where you can see how beginner techniques evolve into advanced Aikido.

By the end of the course you will…

Understand the underlying principles of Aikido and the mat etiquette that keeps practice safe and respectful.
Be able to perform basic breakfalls.
Demonstrate the first five atemi-waza (striking techniques) of the randori-no-kata.
Be able to avoid an incoming attack and break your partner's balance (kuzushi) rather than meeting force with force.

Ready to start?

Spaces are filling up - reserve yours now and join London's friendliest dojo.

Register Now Email us with questions