What is Aikido
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that comprises many different styles. Aikido was born in the 1920s and its creator is Morihei Ueshiba, who reached the highest level of mastery in the classical Japanese Martial Arts. Aikido is often translated to English to mean “the way of harmonious spirit” or “the way of unifying with life energy”.
Here are some aikido schools to consider:
School |
Mumei Shudan Aikido Dojo |
| Website | https://www.mumeishudan.com/ |
| Address | 149C Selegie Rd, Singapore 188314 |
| Telephone | +65 8754 2960 |
| Operating Hours | Monday to Friday: 6 PM to 10 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Review 1 | Very good. The teacher inspired the kids with knowledge of martial arts in addition to the history of aikido. Students learned how to apply techniques in a variety of attack scenarios. Furthermore, the teacher also emphasize breathing in the technique application. The kids enjoyed it very much.
By Deon Tay |
| Review 2 | Great senseis with various teaching styles. They host excellent seminars with renowned Japanese senseis.
By eatsham ahsan |
| Review 3 | Senseis are very skilled and there’s a lot to learn from them.
By Tang ZW |
School |
Bouna Vista CC Aikido Club |
| Pricing | S$105.00 per 12 lessons (Passion Card Members) S$115.00 per 12 lessons (Non-Passion Card Members) |
| Website | http://www.aikidofederation.com/our-dojo/buona-vista-c-c-aikido-club/ |
| Address | Blk 36 Holland Drive #01-01 S(278939) |
| Telephone | +65 6779 2993 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 9 AM to 10 PM |
School |
Bukit Batok CC Aikido Club |
| Pricing | S$105 per 12 lessons (Passion Card Members) S$120 per 12 lessons (Non-Passion Card Members) |
| Website | http://www.aikidofederation.com/our-dojo/bukit-batok-c-c-aikido-club/ |
| Address | 21 Bukit Batok Central S(659959) |
| Telephone | +65 6564 6317 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 10 AM to 6 PM |
School |
Bukit Batok East CC Aikido Club (Aikido Federation Singapore) |
| Pricing | S$105.00 per 12 lessons (Passion Card Members) S$115.00 per 12 lessons (Non-Passion Card Members) |
| Website | http://www.aikidofederation.com/our-dojo/bukit-batok-east-c-c-aikido-club/ |
| Address | 23 Bukit Batok East Ave. 4 S(659841) |
| Telephone | +65 6565 9330 |
| Operating Hours | Monday and Wednesday: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Saturday: 3 PM to 5 PM Sunday: 10 AM to 1 PM Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Closed |
School |
Pioneer Zone 12 RC Aikido Club |
| Pricing | S$105 per 12 lessons (Passion Card Members) S$110 per 12 lessons (Non-Passion Card Members) |
| Website | http://www.aikidofederation.com/our-dojo/pioneer-zone-12-rc-aikido-club/ |
| Address | Blk 652, Link Building Jurong West Street 61 |
| Telephone | +65 6792 1522 |
School |
Aikido Shudokan Singapore |
| Website | https://www.aikidoshudokan.sg/ |
| Address | 346D King George’s Ave, Singapore 208577 |
| Telephone |
+65 9771 3013
|
| Operating Hours | Wednesday: 7:30 PM to 10 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 2:30 PM to 6 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Closed |
| Review 1 | Instructors are friendly and dedicated, a great place for children and adults alike.
By Fidelis Asia |
| Review 2 | Very warm atmosphere and good and interesting training. I like to come back when I’m back in Singapore.
By Detlef Augustin |
| Review 3 | Great Instructors. Absolute dedication.
By srinivasan sivaraman |
School |
Haru Yama Aikido |
| Website | https://sites.google.com/view/haruyamaaikido/home?authuser=1 |
| Address | 1999 Lor 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319258
160 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319380 . 2nd floor |
| Telephone | Toa Payoh South CC: +65 6259 6602
Toa Payoh East CC: +65 6256 7601 |
| Operating Hours | Toa Payoh South Community Centre
Monday: 8 PM to 9:30 PM Toa Payoh East Community Centre Sunday: 10 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Review 1 | Stanley Sensei is a very dedicated instructor who never fail to motivate and encourage us in our Aikido learning journey as well as introduce us to the art of Shinkendo.
The class comradeship is also very good. Students look out and help each other in our training. I am enjoying every bit of my Aikido journey under Stanley Sensei and with my Aikido mates. By Cheng Cheng Ng |
| Review 2 | “The dojo is a safe place to learn” — Stanley Ang sensei
and indeed it is. Stanley sensei cultivates a healthy learning environment in his dojo where students are pushed to test their own limits and challenge themselves in advancing their tech and vocabulary. We also learn how to use the various aikido weapons and most importantly, how to hold them correctly. Ukemi is taught and learned in an incremental and systematic way, ALWAYS with the safety of its students as the top priority. I sustained a bad shoulder injury in 2015 during an ukemi lesson in the school I was previously enrolled in and it was further aggravated in yet another ukemi session in 2017 and the dojo cho admits no fault in the training method. In 2020, I left the school and I am still suffering from acute shoulder pains. The well-being and safety of students is not something to be trifled with and here in Haru Yama aikido, proper training methods are taken seriously. Highly recommended. Come join us! By Audrey Yeo |
School |
Aiki Forest |
| Website | https://www.aikiforest.com/ |
| Address | Rivervale Mall, 11 Rivervale Crescent, #02-11, Singapore 545082
Alexandra Retail Centre (ARC) 460 Alexandra Road #03-02 Singapore 119963 SAFRA Toa Payoh, 293 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, #03-04 (near Lift Lobby B), Singapore 319387 |
| Telephone | Rivervale Mall: +65 8874 4830
ARC: +65 6273 1125 SAFRA: +65 6259 3161 |
| Operating Hours | Rivervale Mall
Monday and Wednesday: 5 PM to 8 PM Thursday and Friday: 4 PM to 6 PM Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday: Closed ARC Daily: 11 AM to 6 PM SAFRA Monday: 5 PM to 6 PM Tuesday: 7 PM to 8 PM Wednesday: 3 PM to 5 PM Thursday and Friday: 4 PM to 6 PM Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Review 1 | My two boys went to the Saturday trial class (it was Teacher Wai Yip’s class). It was our first time there. After the class, my boys gave positive feedback of both class and the teachers who were there. Most probably will register them for the Year 2020.
By Muhammad Amizan |
| Review 2 | Extremely good place kind and patient teachers and good teachers this place at aikforest isn’t famous no reviews only one post of it
By c0ver1Y yt |
School |
Aikido Shinju-Kai |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/AikidoShinjuKai |
| Address | 11 Bedok North Street 1, #01-02 Heartbeat Bedok, Singapore 469662 |
| Telephone | +65 6256 0111 |
| Operating Hours | Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Tuesday, Thursday: 7 AM to 9:30 PM Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 PM to 5:30 PM |
| Review 1 | Very very friendly community! The senseis and training partners are really nice and patient. This is a safe and wholesome learning space
By Andrés Murillo |
| Review 2 | Friendly staff, knowledgeable instructors. Definitely, a safe place to learn martial art.
By Wai-Soen Chan |
| Review 3 | Awesome place to learn the traditional Japanese martial art!
By Eugene Lim |
School |
Makoto Aikido |
| Website | https://www.makotoaikidosg.com/ |
| Address | 1 Guillemard Cres, Singapore 399913 |
| Telephone | +65 9732 0388 |
| Operating Hours |
Thursdays 7.00 pm to 8.15pm (Adults) 8.30pm to 9.45 pm (Adults ) Sundays Class 2 – 3.30pm to 4.45 pm (Adults) Tuesday 7pm to 8pm 8pm to 9 pm |
| Review 1 | Currently, I’ve joined just the past 6 months and have recently attained my 6th Kyu. I would like to thank especially Sensei Bernie Ho and Assistant Instructor David Tan including all my seniors within the Dojo who have guided me through this journey, I truly enjoy every lesson I’ve attended. Looking forward to many years of training and contribution to the Dojo in days to come.
Makato Dojo possesses a conducive, close-knitted environment which is hard to find. I would highly recommend Makoto Aikido Dojo and Sensei Bernie to anyone who is looking to explore Aikido. By Julian Ma |
| Review 2 |
Bernie Sensei has built a great Aikido school through his excellent teaching ability and has created what we call ‘a true community of practice’. Sensei is a true ‘teacher’ and his techniques are impeccable. I was impressed by the professionalism of Bernie Sensei and his instructors. The facilities and camaraderie make for a wonderful experience and the team is always willing to teach newcomers with patience. I am very grateful for the structure, discipline, and kindness I see at Makoto Aikido Dojo. Currently, the team of security officers who are undergoing Aikido training has benefited from the skills and techniques taught during the training. As for me, after training for 20 months, I have finally attained my 4th Kyu (brown belt). I am looking forward to many years of Aikido training with Makoto Aikido. Similarly, if you are keen on exploring Aikido as a beginner regardless of age and gender or if you are planning to introduce Aikido skills and techniques for your security personnel, I highly recommend Chief Instructor Sensei Bernie Ho, Makoto Aikido Dojo. By Rames S/O Algasmay |
Benefits of learning aikido
Aikido training aims to promote mental and physical training through proficiency in each skill and consistent practice.
Improves mental health
While it is obvious that practising aikido yields physical health benefits, aikido also improves mental health. Such mental health benefits include an increase in focus, awareness, and relaxation. People who practise aikido are also more likely to gain greater confidence and self-discipline, which will reflect when dealing with stressful situations in life. People are also more likely to deal with conflicts better when they practise aikido.
Self-improvement
During the course of learning aikido, learners also develop their inner power, awareness, and decisiveness gradually. This also opens up to growth and self-improvement, which helps in achieving goals.
Spiritual health
People who practise aikido gain spiritual benefits as well. This includes enhanced intuitive understanding of themselves and the world. Learners can see life with more clarity, better perception, and greater focus. When aikido learners shift their perception of life, life becomes more meaningful.
Greater body awareness
Practising aikido can let you experience a more confident and more relaxed presence. Aikido also opens up your mind and gives greater awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Greater body awareness is the best benefit associated with aikido and martial arts in general.
Aikido principles
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The principle of ki
The principle of ki requires a basic understanding that a universal force or spirit governs everything in the universe. Ki is an energy and life force and the power which brings harmony in the world and among people. When aikido practitioners learn to manage their ki energy, they can get their body and mind into the union.
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The principle of oneness
The principle of oneness is a fundamental rule within aikido. The principle of oneness signifies the strong awareness of everything and circumstances, as well as an opponent. Aikido practitioners train to become one in every circumstance. It will be followed by harmonisation. This will ease the learning of aikido moves, tactics, and styles.
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Turning defence into offence
In aikido, it has been said that defence is the greatest offence. This means that to protect yourself against an assault; aikido teaches you how to distance yourself from your attacker’s range of effective moves. While you try to defend yourself by moving away from the opponent’s attack, it is crucial to maintain your range of effective moves to counter-attack successfully.
In aikido, the moves you use for attacking or counter-attack are almost always determined by your situation. To utilise aikido properly to your advantage, practitioners will need to learn to stay outside of their opponent’s range while still maintaining a tactical advantage.
Aikido techniques
Defence techniques
The defence technique is more commonly used in frontal attacks. To demonstrate the technique, place one leg forward with your foot turned out and place your palm open from the same side of the leg in front. Put weight over the front foot and bend your knee slightly. Let your back foot be free to move about but keep it on the mat. Lastly, keep looking at the front and observe your opponent and your surroundings.
Tai sabaki
Tai sabaki refers to a bending movement that is unique and generally in a circular manner. This method is used in aikido to avoid attacks and divert the opponent’s energy to the other person. This method can be used positively or negatively depending on your chosen movement style.
Shikko
Shikko is an aikido method mainly involving the knee. This method works by transferring the weight from one knee to another whenever the person moves around on their knees during the movement.
Irimi
Irimi is an advanced aikido technique that breaks the opponent’s posture. This technique interferes with the opponent’s balance and can cause them to fall.
Tenkan
Tenkan is an aikido technique that refers to a circular movement with Tai Sabaki to destroy the opponent’s balance state and break their posture.
Ukemi
The ukemi aikido technique is a technique for beginners and involves specific rolling strategies necessary for an aikido fight. Two of the rolling techniques are the forward and backward roll.
Aikido etiquette
In aikido and martial arts in general, etiquette is as important as mastering physical techniques. With the proper etiquette, the entire dojo atmosphere is excellent for the practitioner’s self-awareness and intuition to thrive. It is crucial to understand and practice the essential etiquette to make full use of aikido practice as a beginner.
Bowing
Bowing, also known as rei in aikido, is an important aspect of the Japanese culture to show respect. In aikido, bowing represents respect and gratitude. The two most common bowing positions are kneeling or standing positions.
Should you learn aikido
If you are entirely new to martial arts, aikido can be a good option for you. Aikido is a martial art for any age, and it is also non-aggressive. If you are reasonably fit and careful when you train aikido, it is possible to continue aikido into your late adulthood. The better you are in aikido, the less physical strength it requires.
Aikido utilises physics and internal energy, which allows the practitioner to make powerful movements using minimal physical strength. Aikido stands out from most martial arts as others are either too aggressive or require substantial physical strength to continue training, so it is not age-friendly for older people.
If you are looking for a martial art that is age-friendly and non-aggressive, aikido may be the martial art for you.
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