Our teaching guidelines

Breathing and movement must be connected

We believe that mastering the technical aspects of Aikido alone is not enough. That is why, from the very beginning of practice, we emphasize the connection between breathing and movement. Ultimately, mastery of Aikido techniques depends on the ability to allow the ki to flow freely through a permeable body with natural movements.

This does not mean that we underestimate technique. However, practicing technique in aikido is more comprehensive than in sports, where the goal is to achieve better performance through perfection. In Aikido, we practice Kata (Japanese for “forms”) to gradually grasp the inherent principles and become one with our partner’s movements. Once the technique matures, we can respond to any situation without hesitation.

To achieve this, it is essential to understand the techniques and principles for yourself. As teachers, we guide this process. We believe it is best to intervene and correct as little as possible.

Experience has shown us that this can be challenging for beginners, but it supports the learning process in the long term.

Keeping THE BEGINNER’S MIND

From our own experience, we know that effort and enjoyment are inextricably linked in training. Personal effort is the most important aspect of aikido training. Only through constant personal exploration does the essence of the practice gradually become apparent. Therefore, it is essential to retain this beginner’s mindset of effort and enjoyment, even as an advanced practitioner. Otherwise, one’s own ideas and knowledge can easily become the benchmark for practice without realizing that they are an obstacle to further development.

OPEN AND COOPERATIVE ATMOSPHERE.

We believe that the foundation of effective training lies in the commitment to practice with focus and equality, regardless of level. Your own ambition should not be the measure of a successful training session. This philosophy makes it easy for newcomers to integrate and promotes a good balance between women and men, which is not always the case in martial arts.