Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese art of self defense and subtle movement, developed from traditional martial arts, through the past centuries. The goal of these traditional martial arts (remember, these where times full of war, violence and danger) was to survive an attack and eliminate direct enemies. To reach this point of defense, it’s not only techniques one needs but also a good control of the nerves. For this reason practitioners took much effort in exercises to obtain inner rest and harmony.

These old martial arts are the basis of the current Aikido. Nowadays one tries no longer to damage but to neutralise the attack of an antagonist by turning its own strength against him. Through Aikido you’ll learn to react on hits, pushes and grips on the wrist, elbow or shoulders. Sometimes wooden weapons are used ( knife, sword and stick) to fight at a larger distance between each other.

By going along with the movement of the attack, the strength of the attacker is eventually turned against him. Circular and spiral techniques are used. This makes aikido look very elegant. At the end of a technique an opponent is under control by means of a grip on a joint. These grips work generally by controlling the natural movement restraints of the joints.

At Kenkon aikido lessons are given by Aikido school Sankaku. All teachers are certificated and members of the Netherlands Judo Federation (or JBN, this is the governing organisation for Aikido also): Edy Kamalski (4th dan), Sabine Lebenstedt (3rd dan), Eltje Boons (1st dan) Pieter Ott (2nd dan) and Yvon Mattaar (2nd dan).
Sankaku also teaches in Arnhem