Lochaber Aikido Club » Scotland

At Lochaber Aikido Club, our starting point is that Aikido is the study of performing with grace, compassion, and skill under pressure.

The last few years have taken their toll, and many of us have found ourselves under increasing pressure, often leading to problems such as physical pain and mental strain. Aikido teaches us to grow our capacity to tolerate – even thrive under – such pressure.

We train to develop a strong, calm mind and a relaxed, pliable body. Together these offer us freedom within the constraining pressures of life. The Ki Federation’s teaching method outlines specific principles to improve our aikido. Those principles are also applicable off the mat – in the workplace, or with family and friends – to give us new perspectives and possibilities for dealing with non-martial but equally challenging problems of daily life.

We study co-operatively, without aggression, tension or competition. Classes are suitable for all levels of fitness and may be practised equally by people of any size, age or ability.

If you would like to find out more you are welcome to call or email Sensei James Knight. If you would like to come along to watch, you’re very welcome, but come a few minutes earlier so we can chat before the class begins.

The club

Because we are studying how we can improve our self under pressure, we have created a disciplined, inclusive, and friendly space – allowing us to get things wrong without embarrassment as its a vital part of the learning process.

We train for 2 hours – with a short tea break in the middle – as the study can be quite demanding mentally even when it’s not physically.

Currently our membership ranges from 14 to 54 years old, although prior to Covid we also had students in their 60s. Age should be no obstacle to this study!

The teacher

Sensei James Knight started studying aikido with the Ki Federation in 1993. When work took him abroad for a few years, he opened his first club in southern Thailand for university students and school children. Later, back in Britain, he ran children’s and adults’ classes in Cambridge for 7 years before opening the Lochaber club. In total, James has been teaching for almost 20 years, and studying for over 30.

Attending class

Youths are welcome in the general class from age 14, but we have noticed that attention tends to flag in the second half of the class, so it’s fine for youth members just to attend the first hour of the session if they prefer.

We open the hall at 7pm in order to start preparing the room, and invite students to arrive as soon after that as possible so everyone can participate. The lesson starts promptly at 7.30pm – if you’re late, come to the side of the mat and wait to be invited on.

Whether you wear soft, comfortable clothing (in the first few weeks), or the full aikido kit, please ensure that it is clean and fresh.

Wear flip-flops or slippers to and from the mat. We practice barefoot, and keep the mat cleaning by wearing footwear when off the mat.

Please ensure that your finger- and toe-nails are trimmed, as these can easily catch and scratch your partner during movement.

Finally, bring some wet wipes with you, so that if you’re hot or sweaty from the day, you can wipe the relevant parts – just spraying on deodorant before working closely with others often doesn’t help.