As the name suggests we study Aikido which is a martial art that emphasises harmony, fluidity, and the dynamic use of energy. The Chief Instructor, Don, has been studying martial arts in one form or another for most of his life. In 1992 Don discovered Zanshin Ryu Aikido and has never looked back. Zanshin Ryu Aikido is based on the teachings of Master Pat Stratford. Don still trains under his teachers, friends and mentors, Tariq and Furrkh, who have created the Small Circle Aikido Club in Coventry when they inherited Master Stratford’s dojo.
Initially you will learn how to defend yourself if you need to and to do this by causing the minimum damage to your attacker necessary to preserve yourself. As you progress in your studies you will develop the ability to not only defend yourself but also to preserve your friends, family and if necessary, those who cannot defend themselves. The ultimate goal of Aikido is to develop your ability to where, if the situation allows, you are capable of neutralising and preserving the attacker.
The word community can be defined as ‘the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common’. First and foremost, our desire is that you will quickly realise that you are joining a welcoming, supportive, and friendly group of people. A group of people drawn from all walks of life, both male and female and a wide range of ages. What unites us is a shared passion for studying the martial art and a desire to grow in our understanding together.
Joining Bugeisha Aikido Club and studying Aikido offers a holistic approach to well-being everyone can benefit from. This happens through a blend of physical fitness, increased clarity around conflict, enhanced confidence, and a deeper understanding of your body’s capabilities.
There is no question that studying a martial art can be frustrating at times and for most people it does not come easy. But if something isn’t challenging then perhaps it’s not worth studying. We firmly believe that the rewards from studying Aikido are numerous and well worth the sacrifice in time and effort to train. A few rewards to consider are the joy of mastering new skills, the fun of training together with like-minded people, and the satisfaction gained from finding your way of doing the techniques taking into account your experience and capabilities.
We sincerely hope that should you come and visit one of our classes you will see that we are simply a group of people studying Aikido in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. So if this website creates an interest in our club and you decide to come and give Aikido a try, then brilliant!!