You will find details about our club on this page

location
costs
requirements
membership of the Aikido Research Federation
about the teachers

Beginners should look here for details of how to start training.

Location

Wednesday evenings - Taijutsu (Body Techniques)

8.00-10.00pm at the John Henry Newman Leisure Centre, Hitchin Road, Stevenage SG1 4AE in the 'Ancillary Hall'.

• If you are in Stevenage, follow the signs to the Lister Hospital, or A602 Hitchin. After the roundabout/junction with the A1072, the leisure centre is on the A602 Hitchin Road on the left after the entrance to the school, and after the speed camera.

• If you are coming from the A1M, exit at J8 and follow signs to A602 Stevenage. Go straight ahead at first set of traffic lights (Sainsbury's on right), go straight ahead at next roundabout (Lister Hospital on left), do a U-turn at the next roundabout going towards A602 Hitchin. The leisure centre is on the left, just after the entrance to the school and after the speed camera.

There is free parking, changing facilities and showers.

Click here for a map.

Tuesday evenings - Bukiwaza (Weapons)

7.15-8.25pm at Martins Wood Primary School, Mildmay Road, Sevenage SG1 5RT.

Beginners should go to a Wednesday class before coming to this class.

• From J8 of the A1M take the exit A602 Stevenage. Turn left at second roundabout onto A1072 direction Pinn Green. Straight over at next roundabout. Turn right at next roundabout on to Verity Way. At double mini roundabouts turn left onto Mildmay Road. School is on left after 800 yds. Enter via metal gateway and park on left.

There are changing facilities, and parking is free and available on the school playground.

Click here for a map.

If you have problems finding either venue, please contact us.

Class costs

Taijutsu classes are paid for in blocks, weapons classes are paid for individually. The prices are for students training after a beginners introduction.

Class requirements

You must be 18 or over
You need to wear loose clothing (T-shirt, tracksuit etc), which you don't mind being pulled or stretched. You should also take off all jewellery, or cover it with sticking tape. Finger and toe nails should be kept short and long hair tied up.
We don't recommend that you wear eye glasses. If you need to, we don't accept responsibility for damage to them.  Please ensure they are safe to use for sport.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol won't be allowed to train. You must also tell your teacher of any medical conditions that might affect your ability to train or exercise.
For your safety, and that of the other students, you must do exactly what the teachers instruct.
There are no refunds for missed classes.  

Membership fees

The club is affiliated to the Aikido Research Federation, which is in turn affiliated to the British Aikido Board (BAB). In order to train after your beginners introduction, students must become members of the ARF. The annual fee for this is currently £20 and can be paid by cash, cheque or on-line. Included in this is membership of the BAB. The BAB provides student members with some insurance cover, the details of which can be found on their website.  If students feel this cover is insufficient, they are free to purchase their own extra insurance.

Teachers

The club's teachers are experienced aikidoka. Between them they have more than a decade's worth of training and teaching knowledge.

Sensei David 3rd Dan

Trained under Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th Dan from 1997 to 2004 at the Orwell Dojo as a regular student and then as a soto deshi.
Trained under Sensei Daniel Toutain 6th Dan since 2006. He was awarded his sandan by Sensei Toutain in 2007.
Attended numerous Iwama Ryu seminars and courses in UK and Europe.
Has taught students since 2002, first at the Orwell Dojo and then in Stevenage.
Holds full BAB coaching certificate and a first aid certificate

Sensei Phil 2nd Dan

Trained in a Ki style from 1999 to 2001
Became a full time uchi deshi (live-in student) under Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th Dan from 2001 to 2003. He was awarded his nidan by Sensei Sargeant in 2003.
Trained under Sensei Daniel Toutain 6th Dan since 2006.
Attended numerous Iwama Ryu seminars in UK and Europe.
Has taught students since 2002, first at the Orwell Dojo and then in Stevenage.
Holds a full BAB coaching certificate and a first aid certificate