Why practice Shudokan Aikido?

Oxford's Martial Arts Black Belt Academy

If you ask 10 different Aikido teachers this question you will get 10 different answers.

Today there are many different Martial Arts to choose from and as a beginner to this unique world of Martial Arts it can be very daunting making a decision what to learn.

In many modern day Martial Arts, students are encouraged to go one-on-one with each other to see who is the strongest or fitness. Sometimes this is called sparring, or competition. Of these competitions at least 50% of the students finish the engagement with a loser mentality. Not everyone can win; ultimately there can be only one best fighter, so what about all the other students?

In Aikido when two people train with each other they are partners not opponents. One person will be given the task of executing techniques against various attacks; the other person is the nominated attacker, or Uke. The role of Uke is to do what ever it takes to help their partner progress. Uke gives themselves completely to their partner. They will perform at just the right level by not attacking too fast or too hard to provide a good learning experience for their partner. This means that at an advanced level our Black belts can perform free style techniques at full speed employing full power safe in the knowledge that Uke will not get hurt. The person executing the technique must always be mindful of Uke's limitations and take great care of him. For the duration of each free style set the student's partner is the most important person in the world. This is a very intense and rewarding training experience that provides many lessons that help us deliver the positive attributes of our training methods.

The aim of Shudokan Aikido Oxford is to provide our students, adults and children alike, with the tools to live their lives in a more positive and productive way and to have a positive influence on the lives of others. We believe in teaching our art in a friendly environment and to allow students to develop at their own pace. In a typical class you will be taught how to breakfall safely, how to defend yourself from a number of situations and be encouraged to develop yourself both physically and mentally in a fun and safe way.

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Below is a video of Shihan Ken Robson, 7th degree black belt, head of Shudokan Aikido, demonstrating a series of techniques with a 3rd degree black belt. These are advanced Aikido techniques that are performed after several years of training.