Aikido classes six days a week.

Newcomers are welcome to have a trial session in the “basic” classes on Monday and Saturday.
If you wish to sign in for a first trial class, please contact us by email or phone in advance.
For those with previous experience in Aikido, please choose a class according to your level or contact us for guidance.

Aikido basics or Kihon practice

In this class, we focus on the fundamental aspects of Aikido. Besides basic techniques, we emphasize breathing, mobility, and how to take falls. This practice is valuable for beginners and advanced alike.

The introductory classes are best suited for beginners to have a first trial class. To sign up, don’t hesitate to contact us in advance by email or phone.

Aikido all

This class is suited for all levels, beginners and advanced. In Aikido it is common to practice altogether and learn from each other. The teaching will be adapted to the respective group composition.

Experienced Aikidokas will helpfully support beginners. These classes are open to practitioners after at least three months of practice.

Aikido dynamic

In dynamic practice, we emphasize fluent movements. All Aikido techniques and applications will be taught flowing and dynamically. These classes are physically more demanding, and participants should be able to roll and take falls safely. The basic techniques should be known.

A minimum of one year of practice is required for participation. Please confirm with the teachers beforehand.

Aikido basics plus weapons

As in the fundamental classes, this is about the basic techniques. We teach the basic knowledge of how to use the typical weapons of Aikido, such as the Jo (stick), the Tanto (knife), and the Ken (sword). The practice weapons are made of wood and will be available at the dojo.

This course is aimed at both beginners and advanced users. By practicing with weapons, one gets a better insight into the principles of Aikido, and it helps to understand the heritage of the techniques.

Aikido class of the FU-Berlin

This course has been held in cooperation with FU Berlin since 2008. It is an intensive introduction to the complex movements and concepts of Aikido. After completing, it will be possible to take the 5th kyu exam.

Over the years, many students, who have participated, have decided to continue their practice in the dojo. Our members are encouraged to take part and to support the newcomers.

Kashima No Tachi Kenjutsu for beginners and advanced.

Absolute beginners are always welcome to have a trial class on Thursday.
Please get in touch with us via email beforehand, to make an appointment.

From 28.-31.03. the Dojo will have a short Easter break.

The kids and youths classes from ages 5 until 16 years

New kids are welcome. Please get in touch with us by email beforehand to make an appointment for a trial class.

Dear newcomers,

New beginners are always welcome to have a trial class at the “basic” classes on Monday or Saturday.
The basic (Kihon) classes are also a good choice if you restart your practice after a long break.

All classes are mainly taught in German. But like Berlin, we are very international. So please do not hesitate to come, even if you don’t speak German. We can switch from German to English and vice versa if necessary. 😉

For your first visit to the Dojo, please get in touch with us in advance by email or phone.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the mat.
Ulli & Max

There are many different reasons to try something new. In the case of Aikido or Kenjutsu, it may be the interest in martial arts, self-defense, philosophy, the recommendation of friends, or it’s just the desire to move again, to learn something new and unusual. Most of the time it’s not a lack of motivation, but the hesitation to put ideas into action that stops us from doing something.

However, no matter what conception was in the first place, after the first step is done, everything else falls into place. The reason why you started will usually soon be forgotten. After 3, 10, or 20 years you will have discovered so many things for yourself, that there are a thousand reasons to continue or you no longer need a reason.

You can join Aikido or Kenjutsu at any time. Previous knowledge or special physical fitness is not required. The necessary skills will be acquired in regular training and are achievable for everyone. The only requirement is the will to deal with oneself and to accept that it takes time to internalize the movements and techniques. Once you get involved with it, you will notice that exactly this is the attraction.

The fundamentals in the basic classes

The focus in basic classes is on the fundamental techniques of Aikido, breathing exercises, gymnastics, and body awareness. Additionally, in Aikido you learn how to roll and fall and in Kenjutsu there are the basic methods of handling the sword.

The principles and modes of action of the exercises are explained in detail. Newcomers can participate in the basic lessons at any time without prior knowledge.

The first class

All classes marked as “basic” in the schedule are particularly well-suited for absolute beginners. You are most welcome to drop in for a trial session. Just make sure to contact us in advance by email or phone. Two trial sessions are free.

For your first class please bring clean and comfortable sportswear with long pants. Please don`t wear the same clothes you wear outside. The class will begin on time as scheduled, please make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of class. That will give us enough time to introduce ourselves and to give you a short introduction to the Dojo.

English trial class

All teachers and most of the students speak English. Therefore there is no problem if you are not fluent in German or don’t speak German at all. However, we also offer a beginner class taught in English every Friday.

Body consciousness and psychological development

Anyone who has children or is dealing with children knows that physical, mental, and spiritual development goes hand in hand. Each learning process on a physical level also entails a mental and psychological growth process in itself. In Aikido, the children can experiment with their movement spectrum, try new movements, and incorporate them into their repertoire. In this way, body consciousness is positively influenced and strengthened. However, the practice has not only an impact on fitness and health but also promotes mental and psychological development.

The movements of Aikido transcend social and linguistic barriers

Aikido Training offers children the opportunity to make a variety of movement experiences. Thus, the perception of children is improved in general. In addition, the basic movements of Aikido transcend all social and linguistic barriers and thereby have an integrative effect. Social competence is enhanced by cooperative partnership during the practice. The movements of Aikido are smooth and dynamic, encourage attention and concentration, and create new body awareness. By emphasizing partnership practice, in which there is no competition, aggressions are reduced.

Classes for children from ages 5 to 12 years

In children’s classes from ages 5 to 7, we focus on the general moving experience and body consciousness. The kids experience moving and rolling on the big open space of the Aikido mat and interact with other children. From age 7, we begin with the first simple but more formalized Aikido techniques and the basic methods of falling. The emphasis is on the development of flexibility and coordination ability. According to age, we move on to more complex Aikido techniques and physical exercises.

Schedule for children

Tuesday: 4.30 – 5.30 pm, age 5-7
Wednesday: 4.30 – 5.30 pm, age 7-9
Thursday: 4.30 – 5.30 pm, age 8-12

New children are welcome. Please call in advance or email us, to check availability.

Created from the martial arts of the Samurai

Aikido originated from the traditional fighting techniques of the samurai and has developed into a modern form of self-defense. The principle of Aikido is to use the energy of the attack and redirect it in a different direction, without injuring the opponent. The attitude that comes in Aikido’s expression is thus not aggressive or combative but actively peaceful. You learn to deal with aggression and to respond appropriately to an attack. The Aikido techniques are dynamic and if properly handled very effective. It is therefore important to thoroughly deal with the techniques (katas), to make progress. Also, the attacker must be able to fall safely from any situation without getting hurt. Therefore, the case school and strengthening exercises are important prerequisites to practicing Aikido in its dynamic form. In addition to the techniques without weapons, dealing with a stick and sword is also a regular part of Aikido. Training with the traditional weapons of the samurai makes for good posture and trains attention and timing.

Classe for youths

On Friday 4.45 to 5.45 pm, we have a class for teenagers from ages 12 to 16.

If you are interested, please call or e-mail.

Teacher

Ulrike Serak, 6th Dan

Beginners are always welcome. Please call in advance! mobile: 0177 5544216 or 030 2614546

The grading system in Aikido is divided into kyu and dan grades. It starts with the 5th Kyu and ends with the 8th Dan. From 2nd Kyu, you wear the hakama (trad . Jap. Culottes) and, from 1st Dan black belt in addition.

As often assumed, the 1st Dan is not a sign of mastery in Aikido. It simply means that the student has completed the stage of pure learning of the techniques and can concentrate more on Aikido’s excess principles.

In Aikido, there is no obligation to take examinations. Those who, however, decide to document its development through testing will experience that this intensive discussion of the basic techniques and their similarity will help to understand the learning system of Aikido much better. The seemingly endless and confusing variety of techniques will get structured and the relationship between movement and principles becomes clearer.

The Aikido Dojo Gleisdreieck is a member of the Aikido Federation Germany. The Federation is officially recognized by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo and is allowed to test up to the 4th dan Aikikai. Download test requirements