Welcome to the LUTON AIKIDO CLUB
PATRON: AKIRA FUJIMORI - Shihan Butoku Ryu, Japan
Chief instructor, Mrs R.A.Loft
PLEASE READ ON IF YOU WANT TO LEARN THE JAPANESE MARTIAL ART OF AIKIDO WITH ONE OF THE LONGEST ESTABLISHED CLUBS OF ITS KIND IN BRITAIN
First, a little bit about Aikido. It is a defensive martial art that is suitable for both men and women. The aim of Aikido is to control and subdue an attacker or attackers by getting them off balance and then using wrist locks or throws to neutralise their aggression. (Kicks and punches can also be used although to a much lesser extent than in other martial arts, such as Karate.)
The locks and throws are extremely effective but they do not rely on brute strength. This means that a small person who has learnt Aikido can defend themselves against an attacker who is much bigger and stronger. It really works!!
Some of the Aikido techniques have been used in Japan for hundreds of years but during the 20th century they have been modified into a system that is unrivalled in the martial arts world.
Are you still interested? If so, you are welcome to come along to one of the Luton Aikido Club sessions and watch or, better still, come on to the mat and find out for yourself how satisfying it is to do Aikido. You will be helped by the club's Black Belts and other senior Aikido students. They practise Aikido because they enjoy learning a martial art in a happy, relaxed atmosphere.
THE CLUB
The LUTON AIKIDO CLUB has been going for a very long time. It was founded by Mrs Ros Loft, who is still its Chief Instructor. Mrs Loft started practising Aikido since 1973. The club has been in existence continuously since 1977, and Mrs Loft is now the holder of a 6th Dan Black Belt. She teaches a traditional style of Aikido.
There are no competitions so there are no winners or losers. People who join the club can learn Aikido at their own pace. As they become more proficient they will be awarded belts of different colours to mark their progress in this most fascinating of all martial arts.
They start off with a white belt. The first coloured belt an Aikido student earns is a yellow belt. These are followed by belts coloured orange, green and then blue. After a period as a blue belt the Aikido student can hope eventually to be awarded a brown belt. Then comes the coveted black belt. Many newcomers to Aikido want to proudly wear a black belt one day. With determination, and a willingness to learn, this honour may come to them.
In the Luton Aikido Club they will certainly be given every encouragement. After all, EVERYONE was a beginner once! The club accepts new members from the age of 16 +. If, after a few weeks, a person wants to continue coming along to the club to train they can register for low-cost insurance through the club, which is a member of the Amateur Martial Association ( a national umbrella organisation for the martial arts in Britain). There are NO hidden costs. The Luton Aikido Club does not have a joining fee for new members. The standard charge for each two-hour session is £2(but £1 for concessions).
The club sessions are as follows:
Sundays - 1pm to 3pm
Wednesdays - 8pm to 10pm
Thursdays - 8pm to 10pm
The training sessions are held in the Holy Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Road, Limbury, Luton, Beds. The hall is between the church and the traffic lights at the crossroads of Trinity Road, Austin Road and Bishopscote Road. It is a short distance from the Tesco Express and a Gulf petrol station.
PARKING: You can park in the close directly opposite the entrance to the hall. There are parking spaces marked "private", but these are available to people while they are using the church hall.
If you need more information about the club, or need further directions to the hall, please ring Mrs Loft on: - 01582 593316
The club has friendship links with clubs in several parts of the world, including one at the University of Western Australia, Perth. Akira Fujimori, who for many years has been a senior Aikido instructor (Sensei) in Japan has kindly agreed to become the club's patron, and since becoming patron has visited the club in 2003 and 2005.
Thanks for reading this page.... We hope you will try Aikido and find it as satisfying as the hundreds over other students who have passed through the club over the last quarter century.
If you have any questions about the club you can contact Mrs Loft at aikidoluton@yahoo.co.ukYou can contact me at Web Admin about the website and I will try and respond as quickly as possible.
