Allander Aikido

Allander Aikido Club is part of Takemusu Iwama Aikido Europe (TIA Europe) which is dedicated to preserving and passing on Aikido as taught to Saito Sensei by O'Sensei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido.Allander Aikido is a member of Aikido Alliance UK.We are located in Bearsden, Glasgow, and warmly welcome new students, experienced students, and visitors.
Training is on Tuesdays at 19:30 and Sundays at 19:00. Details below.

Introduction to AikidoWe are please to share that we provide new students with free insurance for their first three classes.
This will give you an overview of Aikido and you will be well placed to decide whether aikido is for you.
Our instruction includes empty hand techniques, aiki ken (sword) and aiki jo (staff).
In the Iwama Aikido tradition weapons practice supports empty hand techniques and empty hand practice supports weapons techniques.
Typically our classes finish with practicing Qigong forms.

Seminar and VideosOn Saturday 11 July 2022 we were pleased to welcome Sensei Tony Sargeant, 6th Dan Aikikai, as the guest instructor for our 45th Anniversary Seminar.
Many thanks to Sensei Tony.
We hope the these videos will give you a sense of the day.
Sensei Tony has posted a series of instructional videos on the 20 Jo Suburb and the 5 Kumatachi to YouTube.
The study of Aiki Jo and Aiki Ken, is a key part of the Iwama Aikido Tradition. Links to these Aiki weapons videos is provided below.

Training

Training is in both Aikido Taijutsu (体術, "body technique") and Aikido Weapons.

From a class in August. includes friend of the club, John Lawson (second on the right), once again visiting us from the USA.

Instructors

Our Chief Instructor, Sensei Richard Thomson started Aikido in 1973 and holds the grade of 6th Dan.
All of our instructors are experienced black belts and hold nationally recognised coaching qualifications.

Our other instructors are
Peter McGregor, 4th Dan
David Wallace, 2nd Dan
Richard Munro, 1st Dan

Location / Contact

sensei@allanderaikido.com

Location
Map link.
Killermont Parish Church,
Boclair Community Church Hall, Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 2LD
Entrance to the hall is via the door on the right side of the church. Image of church and door location.Class Times
Tuesday evenings 7:30pm - 10pm
Sunday evenings 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Please visit our Facebook page.

On Saturday 11 Just 2022 we were pleased to welcome Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th Dan Aikikai as the guest instructor for our 45th Anniversary Seminar.As expected, it was an interesting, challenge, and thought provoking day.
Many thanks to Sensei Tony.
We hope the videos below will give you a sense of the day.
We look forward to sensei Tony's next visit and hope you can join us.

Sensei Tony Sargeant, 6th Dan Aikikai and the head of Takemusu Iwama Aikido Europe has posted a series of instructional videos on the 20 Jo Suburb and the 5 Kumitachi to YouTube.
The study of Aikii-jo, along with Aiki-ken, is a key part of the Iwama Aikido Tradition.
Videos will open in a new tab.

QigongQigong is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and translates as energy cultivation.
Qi (or Chi) and Ki are Chinese and Japanese terms for the same broad idea.
Sensei Peter McGregor complete a two year course of study and was awarded his Qigong Tutor certificate from the Qigong Teachers Association UK.In addition the health benefits of focused breathing and relaxation techniques, Qi Gong can provide a structured approach to body movement that complements Aikido.Tamara Shihan regularly led students in the Ba Duan Jin (8 Silk Brocades) prior to seminars as is shown in This video. Opens in a new tab.

Qigong FormsForms being studied include:- Zhang Zhuang
- 5 Animals Qigong
- 18 Taiji Qigong
- Xiao Yi Jin Jing
- Ba Duan Jin
The following links are provided for information only. As with all forms of exercise, this information should not be taken as instructions and a qualified instructor should always be consulted before copying unfamiliar exercises.As many Qigong forms can be traced back for thousands of years it is not surprising that many variants of the forms exist.Links open in a new tab.18 Taiji Qigong (also known as Shibashi)PDF: Prepared by Ronnie Robertson a well know and respected Scottish instructor who passed away in 2016. This document shows the individual forms, describes some health benefits, and covers acupoints and meridians.video: Perth Taichi Academy: 18 Taiji QigongBa Duan Jinvideo: 8 Brocades Qigong PracticeXiao Yi Jin Jingvideo: Xiao Yi Jin Jing Full Sequence.Yi Jin Jing
易筋經 can be translated as Muscle and Tendon Change Transformation.
A more physical form using contraction/tension and extension to physically exercise tbh body alongside developing Qi.
This is the form we have been focusing on recently. This video was recommended but some components do differ from the way I was taught.
video: Muscle Tendon Change ClassicChanges I suggest to the forms shown in the video.1. Wei Tuo presenting the pestle 1.
Repeat the tension/release sequence 3 times.
5. Pulling nine cows by their tails.
I was taught the fist pulling should go to the dan tien, aligned with the rear fist at the Mingmen.
6. Displaying talons and spreading wings.
Suggest linking toes (talons) to the movement of the hands (wings). So extend toes up when extending fingers, and grasp the earth with toes when contracting.

Aiki Ken
Elsewhere on this site you can find links to information on Kumitachi.
Ken and body variations
Advanced students are expected to be able to demonstrate two ken and body variations for each kumitachi. These variations are not prescribed.
Below is information on some variations for each kumitachi. These are short notes and will only make sense if you have already studied the kumitachi, and the ken and body variations. Some variations are repeated.Kumitachi 1
Ken 1 - On 1st cut down, enter to the left and control the wrists, or strike to the head.
Ken 2 - on the 2nd cut, while attacker is raising ken, enter and control wrists (high).
Body 1 - on 1st cut down, enter to left, grasp ken towards end of cut, apply nikkyo control to throw/unbalance.
Body 2 - 2nd cut, enter to right, tenkan, grasp ken, raise and cut down to throw.
Kumitachi 2
Ken 1 - on 1st thrust, reverse stance and thrust/hold.
Ken 2 - 2nd cut, enter with left foot leading and cut to centre (checking strike), irimi tenkan and cut to back of head.
Body 1 - 1st thrust, tenkan, grasp hand and ken, kotegaeshi, must cut with ken at same time as kotegaeshi.
Body 2 - 2nd cut, enter and grasp ken at top of strike, koshi waza.
Kumitachi 3
Ken 1 - 1st cut, switch stance, left hand to centre of ken, control the cut by blending. Thrust.
Ken 2 - 2nd cut, right hand to centre of ken, control the cut by blending. Thrust.
Body 1 - 1st cut, enter to left, tenkan, grasp ken, nikkyo to throw/unbalance.
Body 2 - 2nd cut, enter to right, tenkan, grasp ken, raise and cut down to throw.
Kumitachi 4
Ken 1 - 2nd thrust, switch stance, counter thrust.
Ken 2 - 1st cut, enter (slightly right) as ken is raised, ken to high arm/shoulder joint, and use the attacker's momentum to break their posture.
Body 1 - 2nd thrust, enter to left, grasp ken, rokkyou.
Body 2 - 1st cut, enter to right, grasp ken towards end of strike, raise and throw by cutting.
Kumitachi 5
(First 3 variations are applied when both enter and kens are raised while in contact.)
Ken 1 - as partner cuts, tenkan, left hand to centre of ken with ken pointing down, control posture with ken to partners arm.
Ken 2 - as partner cuts, move to left with horizontal strike to centre. 'Leap' to left to avoid partners ken and end with ken above head pointing forwards.
Body 1 - as partner cuts, tenkan, grasp hand and ken, kotegaeshi, must cut with ken at same time as kotegaeshi.
Body 2 - last cut, enter under the cut, to the right, for koshi-waza.