West Midlands Aikido Association

Welcome to the West Midlands Aikido Association

The West Midlands Aikido Association is a traditional UK martial arts club based in the West Midlands, established in the 1980s. We are a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation — all instructors and committee members freely give their time for the love of Aikido and to support a positive, inclusive community. By keeping our club volunteer-led, we are able to keep training accessible and affordable, while maintaining high standards of teaching and safety for everyone who wishes to learn.

In our Aikido training, we teach strong foundations first, focusing on:

Correct posture and movement
Accuracy of technique
Balance, timing, and control
Training together safely and respectfully

We take pride in our high standard of teaching and our friendly non-competitive environment. Classes are structured so that:
Beginners and experienced students train together safely
Everyone can learn at their own pace
Mutual respect and cooperation are always encouraged
Whether you are completely new to Aikido or a regular, you are welcome.

Some of our clubs are offering family classes where parents and children train together, motivate and create lifelong bonds with each other and build physically, mentally, spiritually together.

Our classes are structured so students progression and training expands into more advanced techniques and to train regularly in Aiki Ken (sword) and Aiki Jo (staff) weapons work, providing a solid well-rounded and traditional understanding of Aikido. Our style follows traditional Iwama Aikido, preserving the form, clarity, and principles intended by the founder of Aikido.

Safety, Safeguarding & Coaching Standards

The West Midlands Aikido Association proudly holds the Sport England Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts status mark. This assures parents, carers, and educational establishments that we meet strict safeguarding standards for both children and adults. All instructors also are qualified through the Governing body for Aikido in the UK The British Aikido Board, holding Level 1 or Level 2 coaching awards, with progression toward Level 3. We also follow the UK Coaching Duty to Care framework, Supporting the six pillars of training:
Diversity & Inclusion, Mental Health & Well-being, Physical Well-being, Safeguarding and Safe Practice

What is Aikido?

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba (O’Sensei), whose lifelong study of martial arts shaped Aikido into a discipline of both physical skill and personal development. Aikido is a Japanese martial art suitable for all ages, genders, and body types. It does not rely on strength or aggression. Instead, it uses principles of blending, balance, and redirection to neutralise an attack while keeping both people safe. Techniques are designed to work regardless of size or strength, focusing on control rather than force.

Aikido as a Martial Art, helps you develop:

Awareness of yourself, others and your surroundings
Improved concentration and mental focus
Reduces stress and improves emotional balance
Creates better flexibility, fitness, and stamina
Increases confidence, resilience, and conflict-management skills
Respect, humility, and strong social connections
These principles extend beyond the dojo and can positively influence work, home life, and everyday interactions.

Here at the West Midlands Aikido Association we aim to resemble and teach the same Aikido and physiology as taught by the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba, by following the teaching of Morihiro Saito Shihan (9th Dan) who was the closest and the longest serving student of O-Sensei, having trained with the founder for an unbroken 23 years at the founders dojo in the Iwama prefecture.

Our teaching follows the work of Morihiro Saito Shihan (9th Dan) as he faithfully catalogued O’Sensei’s teachings in a set syllabus, enabling Aikido today to maintain its purity, form and clarity of the art the founder intended. This catalogued syllabus is what we, The West Midlands Aikido Association now follow in our daily classes and aim to fulfil the true art of Aikido.