Kobukan Aikido Blaydon

Our summer course this year is in celebration of sensai Wilson. Please share far and wide to get as many as possible on the course and to raise funds for Dementia UK

I've seen a lot of posts and had someone message me asking if we use coloured belts and then told oh that's a marketing thing. It isn't it is a safety thing, your not black belt is telling me how hard and fast I can throw or pin you if we've not trained before.
I encourage all of my students to train as much as they can with as many different people as they can. I teach or attend 3 different classes every week and attend another 3 classes on a regular basis. The kyu grade system tells me what to expect when we train together or if you are visiting my class what you need to be doing technically to improve etc.
We have not and never will charge for gradings, we only have 6 kyu grades (technically 7 but that is can you turn up to class). We are not a business and no one in the organisation is making money out of this.

Intro course starts this Friday 2 spaces left. Message for more detail or to book your space.

Weapons and grading work this evening so don't forget your sticks!

New beginners course starts the 1st of May.
Improve fitness, mobility and make new friends.
£10 for four sessions.

New beginner course starts May. Message to book your space.

Friday class on as usual. Beginner course still continuing.

4 week introduction starts this week, only a couple of spaces left. £10 for the 4 weeks. Message if interested

January Beginner Sessions start this week:
4 sessions in January for £20.
Message for details or to book your space.

Back to training on the 9th of Jan, start of beginners course. Let me know in comments if coming.

Trying to describe why I think people should do Aikido for the annual advertising blitz has got me thinking.
What made me start, what made me stay and what has kept me for the last 25 years?

They are all different and are different for everyone I train with if you would like to add your version in the comments that would be nice.

Why did I start? It looks cool (well maybe not when I do it), I like swords and I was taught some by the bouncers I used to work with.

Why did I stay? There's a challenge to it from beginner onwards it doesn't get easier but each thing I learn pushes me to the next thing I need. Forward rolls were my initial challenge technique seemed easy by comparison and big flippy breakfalls something I'd never do.

What has kept me? The health and social side. The movements and fitness are keeping me in reasonable shape (for someone who hates exercise) and maintaining and improving my mobility which I need given my 60 hours a week hunched at a desk. But mental health has benefitted the most the relaxation from being thrown is great, when my depression was really bad I would start each class at the side of the mat just attacking and taking throw after throw until I found my relaxed state of mind. The biggest reason though is the people, I have been lucky enough to befriend people from all over the country and in all walks of life from barristers to roofers , doctors to plumbers and different ages and nationalities. Widening my social circle and making lifelong friends is the best reason I have to keep going back as being insular doesn't do anyone any good.

If someone can turn that into a snappy advert catchphrase I will be most grateful 😀

Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you back training in 2026