Dojo blog

Why Would Anyone Start Training in Aikido in the 21st Century?

20/04/2026

Why do you train? It’s a good question. I think it is, because there’s no doubt that for every person training, there is a reason personal to them. What does Aikido offer that say Karate or Judo doesn’t? What makes it different enough to consider trying out? Chasing Aikido For myself, the answer was […]

Inspiring Vulnerability

06/10/2024

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Storm before the calm Inexperienced people can often take their seniors’ skill for granted. Much like how a child struggles to imagine their parents as children, or someone learning to ride a bike or swim cannot imagine people that have those skills struggling while learning, I also find it hard to see my seniors struggle […]

Gyodokan

24/07/2023

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Gyodokan is a recently established Aikido dojo based in Ealing London, founded by dedicated Aikido and Iaido teachers and practitioners Ivan Melo and Cathy Okada. Serving as a sister branch to Aikido of London, Gyodokan encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to embark on their Aikido journey. Benefitting from the lineage and teachings of […]

Perpetual Student

07/11/2022

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When people find out I do a martial art, they often ask why I picked Aikido. I usually say it is because it isn’t competitive, and the uniform looks cool. Jokes aside, the first reason is important to me because I grew up in an environment that was too competitive, centred on success and nothing […]

Aikido all the time

23/12/2021

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I think it may have been the summer intensive that was the catalyst for change this year. During my summer break from teaching music, a group of 5 Aikido of London members had the opportunity to participate in a week-long Aikido intensive, much needed after a year or so of various lockdowns and restrictions! It […]