AIKIDO – the slightly different martial art.
Sport & spirituality – dynamics & calm – stability & mobility – holding on & letting go – fighting without fighting – focus & aimlessness
The list goes on and is intended to show that it is not always just one or the other, but everything at once.
Aikido is an interesting journey in which we learn a lot about ourselves – and at the same time take with us all the positive, health-related effects of physical activity.
Aikido always means community – we learn from each other, support each other, and get involved in all encounters during training. Our dojo community is open and diverse in every respect.
We warmly invite you to a trial session, even if you are unsure whether Aikido is for you. We have deliberately limited the minimum membership period to three months. This is a reasonable period to become familiar with Aikido and get to know the dojo community.
Sign in now for a free trial session using the contact form.
We are also happy to answer your questions in advance. Just get in touch with us by email or by phone.
Sign up for your free trail session now.
Newcomers to Aikido are welcome to sign up for a free trial session in the basic classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday. A trial session in Kenjutsu is possible on Thursday.
Aikido for children and teens from ages 5 to 12 years
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.
Aikido for youths from ages 12 to 16
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
Aikido course for children and parents together
New offer for parents and children
From June 2024 we will start a new Aikido class for parents and children together.
- Learn Aikido together and have fun
- Learning to fall, roll, and get up again
- Improve coordination and concentration
- Learn an Aikido technique in each training and know the name of the technique
In each training session, there are exercises that the adults do with their children, sometimes the adults assist and sometimes the children support their parents.
The children will practice the Aikido techniques and the adults with each other.
The age of the children does not have to be homogeneous; a minimum age of 6 years would be good, but exceptions are possible.
Jia will be leading the training, she is a 2nd Dan and trains as often as possible. She also teaches adult classes regularly.
Trial class
There are two trial sessions, on May 27th and June 3rd, both Mondays at 4:30 p.m.
Afterwards, the ongoing course begins.
If you are interested, please contact us by email or telephone.
The course fee for this training is 60,00 €/month.
The grading system in Aikido
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