Welcome to the Genbukan Aikido Club
Aikido is a Japanese martial art which is comparitivly new and was developed first in the early 1900's by Morihei Ueshiba (O Sensei) in Japan. The art of Aikido is based upon harmony and spirit and is both a uniquly fullfilling excersice but also an increadably powerfull form of self defence. Your training in Aikido is a journey and indeed the do in Aikido means the way or path. Your journey can begin with a single step by coming along on one of our training nights, where you will be made to feel welcome and you will also experience training and seeing masters demonstrasting some of the key techniques in Aikido.
Training can begin at any age from 6 years upwards and we have no upper limit. The club has a child protection policy and our junior coaches Sensei Allan Rowley 5th Dan and Sensei Mandy Rowley 1st Dan, have coaching certificates and have taken the relevent government recognised childrens courses.
The cost of training is £4.50 per two hour training session for adult classes and £3.00 for junior classes and concessions. If after a while you are happy to begin training on a regular basis, there is a charge of £26.00 for adult membership and £10.00 for junior membership for one year. This charge is also to cover insurance.
You will also be encouraged to purchase a training outfit (Gi), although for the first few classes it is acceptable to wear light sports trousers or jogging bottoms and a T-shirt.
BAF Summer School 2006 website click here to go to website
Chester Aikido Club Ryusuikan Dojo http://www.chesteraikido.fsnet.co.uk/
Manchester Aikido Club Wa Go Kan Dojo http://www.manchesteraikido.com/
Matlock Aikido Club Heijoshinkan Dojo click here to go to website
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a non-aggressive martial art, essentially based on self-defense against attacks by one or more people. The true spirit of Aikido is to be found, ultimately, in the quest for perfection as a human being, not in a competitive atmosphere where victory is the only objective.
Is Aikido an effective martial art?
It is a most potent form of self-defense. As your ability
grows, so does your self control and flexibility of response. Competition is
not allowed; instead students always try to understand each other's needs and
limitations. Remember - Aikido develops your mind as
well as your body and should never be underrated.
Costs and equipment.
There is a very reasonable mat fee for each night you practice. There are reductions for unemployed and juniors (see homepage for details of costs). You don't pay any membership fee to the club, but you are expected to join the British Aikido Federation (BAF), which is mandatory as this provides you with insurance cover. Membership is renewed annually and allows you to grade. Most people want a white practice suit (gi or dogi) as soon as they know that they are staying with us. You can buy these yourself, but we usually obtain them cheaper with our instructors discount which is passed on to you.
How fit do I need to be to practice Aikido?
All Aikido classes begin with gentle warming-up and stretching exercises. You will not be expected to push yourself further than you are able to go. Because Aikido does not involve strength in the application of techniques, you will soon find that you begin to benefit, whatever your standard of fitness. We are used to unhealthy and overweight students and cope with them all!
How old must I be to practice Aikido?
Anyone over the age of six is welcome to practice. There is no upper age limit.
Can women practice Aikido?
Women can practice on equal terms with men. In fact women are usually more supple and less inclined to use force or strength. Therefore, with regular training, women can advance quickly.
Will there be other benefits?
Yes! You will become fitter and usually lose weight. Your confidence will increase. You will become calmer and less stressed. You will make friends of all ages while learning a new skill.
Is Aikido religious?
Aikido is practiced by people of all faiths and religions, beliefs and views. Some people do actively seek a spiritual meaning from martial arts, including Aikido. You will not be explicitly taught these aspects, but they may develop within you during the course of your practice of Aikido.
Is there discipline in Aikido?
Yes. Both discipline and etiquette exist for safety and to develop trust and mutual respect for your teacher and fellow students. There are several basic rules of etiquette that you will be taught.
Are there gradings in Aikido?
Yes, to monitor your progress and understanding. They are
regarded as something to study for and learn from. Successful gradings are recognised
throughout the UK and the world. We make a point of giving our students all
the help and encouragement they need to succeed. The
gradings are conducted by examiners appointed by the BAF.
Your instructors
All BAF instructors hold current coaching certificates, which are freely available for inspection. Instructors also hold full First Aid at Work certificates issued by the St John's Ambulance.
Mr Minoru Kanetsuka, 7th Dan, is the resident senior instructor in this country. He is based in London but frequently travels the country, teaching on weekend courses. Macclesfield's instructor, Mr Allan Rowley, is a local man who is employed at a large regional firm. Allan has practiced Aikido for over 30 years and as a 5th Dan and member of the national grading and technical committee is one of the most senior grades in the BAF. He is always keen to meet beginners who want to watch or have a first go at Aikido practice.
Genbukan Aikido Instructors
Allan Rowley, 5th Dan
Philip Jewsbury, 3rd Dan
John Stevens, 2nd Dan
Mandy Rowley, 1st Dan
Mike Thompson, 1st Dan
How do you get to the club?
The Dojo train in:
JJB Fitness Club
The Silk Works
Pickford Street
Macclesfield
SK11 6JD
01625 410641
and
St Barnabas Church
Lyme Avenue, SK11 7RS
we practice every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening, and have an associated club which practice also on Tuesday 5:30-7:30 at Mulberrys Sports Hall at Alderley Park, part of Astra Zenica. Please contact
Philip.Jewsbury@astrazeneca.com for more information.
Monday at the Church
7:00 - 9:00 pm (adults)
Wednesday at the Church
7:00 - 9:00 pm Weapons Class
5:30- 6:30pm (children and beginners, 8-18 years)
6:30 - 8:30 pm (adults)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ai
The principle of harmony and integration.
ai-hanmi
ai-hanmi
A starting position, where the uke takes hold of the
same-hand wrist (right-right or left-left) of the nage.
aikido
aikido
The discipline of harmony between opposites.
bokken
bokken
A wooden sword - often used in the demonstration of
an Aikido technique.
chudan
A central hand position.
dan
dan
A rank (see also kyu). Once attained, the student usually
wears a black belt.
do
do
The "way" or method. In China, this is known as "tao".
dojo
A place for training in martial arts. Usually with tatami.
domo arigato gozaimashita.
domo arigato gozaimashita
This literally means "thank you very much for teaching me" and is said at the end of an Aikido training session.
A starting position, where the uke takes hold of the opposite-hand
wrist (left-right or right-left) of the nage.
gedan
A lower hand position.
gi (or dogi)
An outfit for training in the martial arts (including Aikido), normally white.
gokyo
gokyo
From "go", the fifth form of techniques involving
stretching the arm.
hakama
hakama
A divided skirt worn over the gi. This is done either with
permission of the sensei or usually upon attainment of 1st dan.
hanmi
A guarded stance.
hanmi-handachi
Techniques performed where the uke begins in a standing position and the nage
begins in a kneeling position.
ichi
Number one in Japanese. The numbers, from one to ten, are: ichi, ni, san, shi,
go, rokku, shichi, hachi, ku, jyu.
ikkyo
From "ichi", the first form of techniques involving pinning the arm.
irimi
A motion of entering.
jo
A stave (around 4 feet in height) - often used in the demonstration of an Aikido
technique.
jodan
A high hand position.
kamae
The 'natural' standing posture for training in Aikido.
kata dori
An attack where one grabs a shoulder.
katate dori
An attack where one hand grabs one (hand) wrist.
ki
Very difficult to describe!! Universal life force. In Aikido, ki can be said
to be centralised just below the navel. In China, this is known as "chi".
kokyu
Full extension of the body.
kyu
A rank (see also dan). Students of these ranks (beginning from 6th kyu rising
to 1st kyu before grading for 1st dan) wear a white belt.
ma-ai
A suitable distance that the nage keeps from the uke and will match the timing
of an attack.
morote dori
An attack where two hands grab one (hand) wrist.
nage
The student employing a technique and practising with an "attacker"
(the uke).
nikkyo
From "ni", the second form of techniques involving turning the wrist.
onegaishimas
The literally means "please teach me" and is said at the beginning
of an Aikido training session.
sankyo
From "san", the third form of techniques involving twisting the wrist.
seiza
The posture of sitting. This is done before and after practice sessions and
whilst being taught by sensei.
shihan
A master teacher - "teacher of teachers".
shomen-uchi
A hand attack directly to the top of the head (similar to one that might be
made by a bokken).
suwari-waza
Techniques performed where both the uke and the nage begin from a kneeling position.
tachi-waza
Techniques performed where both the uke and the nage begin from a standing position.
tai sabaki
Basic (circular) movement of the body upon which Aikido techniques are built.
tatami
The mat on which martial arts practice takes place.
tenkan
A motion of "spinning".
uke
The student "attacker(s)" who engage the nage and allow the nage to
practise an Aikido technique.
ukemi
The uke takes ukemi after the nage employs his/her technique, either by rolling
or somersaulting at the end of the technique.
ushiro
An attack from behind.
yokomen-uchi
A hand attack made to the side of the head in a diagonal direction (similar
to one that might be made by a bokken) almost tracing the front of the gi.
yonkyo
From "yon", the fourth form of techniques involving pinning the wrist.
zanshin
Awareness of one's environment and others around one.
zarei
A bow done as a matter of etiquette at the beginning and end of and during Aikido
training sessions.
Zen
A discipline of enlightenment. This is related to Buddhism.
zori
A type of traditional Japanese footwear, similar to flip-flops or sandals, worn
to and from the edge of the tatami, in order to help keep the tatami clean.
Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 pm (adults)
Thursday
5:30 - 6.15 (small children and beginners 6 to 10 years)
6:15 to 7:00 (older children and higher graded children age 8 to 18)
7:00 - 9:00 pm (adults)
JJB Fitness Club,
Pickford Street,
Macclesfield,
Cheshire
SK11 6JD
Tel: 01625410641