About Meikyokai
The Meikyokai Dojo was founded in January 2004 by Neil
Saunders and Ian Moody with an emphasis on Tomiki Aikido. We are a member
of the Brisith Aikido Association which is affiliated to the British Aikido
Board who are recognised by Sport England.
The instructors at Meikyokai are BAA/BAB coach
qualified and have full Personal Indemnity Insurance.
All members train in a friendly and sincere
manner, creating an atmosphere of enjoyment and togetherness where we all have
the common goal of improving our Aikido.
Currently Aikido only caters for adults, but
anyone is welcome to watch a class.
All levels of ability are catered for, including
beginners and advanced students: all that we ask is that you train with an open
mind. |
"True victory is
victory over oneself"
|
The Meikyoka Dojo and how we practice
It is worth emphasising from the outset that the
information on these web pages is about how we practice at the Meikyokai Dojo
and how we do things.
The aim is not to say that our way is necessarily THE way, but it is our way.
There are many styles, opinions and practices in
Aikido. Although associated primarily with the Tomiki style of Aikido
there are several influences evident in the Meikyokai dojo.
Over the past 14 years, chief instructor Neil
Saunders has trained with some of the finest Aikidoka in the world in the Tomiki,
Aikikai, Yoshinkan and Iwama styles of Aikido. He has integrated different
elements of each of these styles that he has found particularly effective into
his own Aikido, and has developed his own unique flavour of Aikido.
It is this open-minded approach to Aikido and the
willingness to blend styles that makes the Meikyokai Dojo that little bit different.
But what truly counts is that it works.
Aikido practice takes time. There is no easy
way or quick fix and will require commitment, dedication and perseverance.
It takes time because the principles required to make it effective seem to go
against our basic instincts.
- When someone attacks us our immediate
instinct is to step backwards
- When someone hits us our first reaction is
usually to want to hit back
- When someone pulls (or pushes) us our instant
reaction is to pull/push back or away
Aikido teaches us that our instincts don't always
act in our best interests. So with training we come to understand that:
- When someone attacks us we should
enter into the attacker's space
- When someone strikes us we need to move into
a defensively strong position first - never meet an attack head on if at all
possible
- When someone pulls or pushes us, we should go
with the movement, but most importantly, use that momentum to disrupt the
balance of the attacker.
To practice these principles and to apply them
under pressure takes time, but once ingrained they form the basis of a sound and
powerful defence, and the beauty and power of Aikido can truly be appreciated.