Aikido in The Hague at Heiwakan Aikido Dojo

Aikido is a versatile martial art containing breathing exercises, meditation, body techniques and techniques using the Japanese wooden staff and sword. Therefore it is also possible to train effectively using social distancing during Corona times.

Breathe, Move, Grow

Would you like to try Aikido in The Hague?

We train Corona-proof

Aikido has ancient martial art roots, but it is particularly relevant in present times:

Everybody is busy and leads stressful lives. Aikido teaches you to find peace and be in the here and now. To retrieve focus and relaxation in the Dojo, a place to grow and learn. A few hours a week me-time.

We live in times of polarisation. Aikido teaches us to live in harmony with ourselves and others and to be a modern, peace-loving warrior. Sounds good? Join us for a trial lesson!

Gratitude / respect
Harmony / integration
Empathy
Power of breath / timing
Control based on self control
Intuition
Modesty
Decisiveness/Freedom
Acceptance

All of these principles are interconnected. And they are expressed in physical self defence techniques, unarmed techniques and exercises using the Japanese wooden knife, staff and sword.

There is a lot of attention to Japanese tradition, philosophy, culture and martial art.

Our lessons are open to everyone: if you can walk and are ages 16 – 80+, you are most welcome

Lessons

Each lesson consists of stretching, breathing- and mediation exercises, solo and partner exercities. Next to the body (self defense) techniques, we train with the Japanese staff Jo) and Japanese wooden sword (Boken).

Techniques are always practised and explained with the practical, didactic, historical and philosophical meaning in mind. We train in moed groups in age, gender, advanced an beginner levels. Everyone is welcome at all lessons. On Monday and Wednesday evenings, we focus more intensively on the basis of Aikido. But beginners always have special attention.

We train seriously and dedicated, but always with fun.

Our main instructors have over thirty years of experience and both hold sixth Dan grades. They also teach internationally and do examinations on behalf of the Aikido federation in Japan. Our school came forth from the first Aikido-dojo in The Hague. We have been located in the historic building at Fahrenheitstraat since 1983.

Our teachers have experience in teaching Aikido to students with health issues. They are dedicated to making every training fun and interesting for all.

Inspiration

The sounder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba passed away in 1969. So Aikido isn’t a centuries old martial art. Morihei grew up in troubled times, when the Samoerai class just had been abolished in Japan. He explored the Japanese religion Shinto, that seeks inspiration in all that nature provides. He also studied Shingon Buddhism that – contrary to regular Buddhist practice – teaches that you need to find self-fulfilment and enlightenment in this life. He used to go on long spiritual retreats in nature.

Besides this religious exploration, he became an expert in different martial arts. And he became quite famous in Japan because of this. In those days, famous teachers were quite often challenged to a fight. After one of these challenges, where a sword master came at him with a Japanese sword and he managed to exhaust him completely just by evading him, he experienced a moment of enlightenment.

He realised, that a martial art could be a tool to achieve peace and harmony instead. Between men and nature, between people, and within oneself experiencing inner peace.

His spiritual and martial background blended together completely.

Although the name Aikido was used only later, this was the defining moment in which Aikido came into being. All techniques you will train in Aikido, contribute to non-violent selfdefense, inner peace and strengthening your physical and mental wellbeing.

From 1931 until 1969, Rinjiro Shirata was a student of the founder and afterwards, until his death in 193, he was a very important Aikido teacher worldwide. One of his students was John Stevens, a professor of Eastern Philosophy in Japan. He was a confidant of Morihei Ueshiba’s son and wrote and translated many books on Aikido and the founder. He still visits The Netherlands regularly.

Shirata Sensei (sensei is teacher in Japanese) and Stevens Sensei are a source of inspiration for Michael and Wilbert, the main teachers of our school. They have been trained in Japan and The Netherlands in the eighties and nineties and are third generation teachers of Aikido. This is how Aikido travelled to our Dojo in The Hague.

Fun facts

How Aikido, through a book by John Stevens Sensei landed in American hit series “The Walking Dead”…
On the monumental building where our Aikido school is located..

Come and join us, we train Corona-proof.

Give us a call and participate, no strings attached.

Aikido for beginners: 1-on-1 teaching. 8 lessons only €25,-

Class schedule

Monday 20:00 – 22:00 | Wednesday 20:00 – 22:00 | Saturday 10:00 – 12:00

Adress: Fahrenheitstraat 436-2, corner Acaciastraat, Den Haag

Heiwakan Aikido Dojo