Embedded Files
History
History
Originally known as the Croydon Martial Centre, the dojo later evolved into Seishinryu Budo as we chose to follow a more traditional path. Seishinryu Budo translates as The School of Spiritual Arts, a name that better reflects the philosophy we were cultivating.
The dojo offered sections in Aikido, Judo, Jujutsu, Kendo, Iaido, Muay Thai, Wu Shu, and related arts. Open six days a week, it quickly became a popular venue for those seeking to study a martial art of their choice. Alongside this, I also taught Aikido in a variety of other venues, including colleges and schools.
During the 1990s, government policy began to shift, and drastic funding cutbacks were introduced. The subsidies we relied upon were eventually withdrawn, leading to the closure of many martial arts centres. Through the dedication and commitment of a small group of members, we managed to survive and continue to this day.
The challenges did not end there. The COVID pandemic made training even more difficult, at times leaving us struggling to maintain even a single session. In recent years, Aikido itself has declined in popularity and is often misunderstood. Many people find it difficult to grasp that Aikido is an art rooted in peace, harmony, and self-development, and instead are drawn toward more competitive and aggressive martial disciplines.
Today, our numbers remain small, but those who continue to train are deeply committed. Together, we are determined to preserve the traditions, culture, and philosophy of Aikido, ensuring that its principles endure for future generations.
Who We Are
After fifty-five wonderful years at the Sir Philip Game Centre, we were fortunate to continue training with the support of a local scouting venue. However, limited access made it difficult to sustain our numbers. Thankfully, Ashburton Hall came to our rescue.
Starting afresh has not been without its challenges. Due to unforeseen circumstances, several core members have been unable to return, and we are now looking to welcome new members to help our club continue to thrive.
We invite you to join us and begin a challenging yet rewarding journey toward a way of life that promotes health and well-being. Practising Aikido builds confidence, self-awareness, and resilience. It is an effective way to manage stress and respond calmly to aggressive situations.
Our dojo is warm and welcoming, where young and old train together in a friendly and supportive environment. Even those with certain disabilities can practise with confidence.
We warmly invite you to visit us and see for yourself.
Keith Nicholas Rokudan Renshi
Keith Nicholas Rokudan Renshi
Sensei began his martial arts journey at the age of twelve at the Sir Philip Game Boys Club. In the late 1970s, he took over teaching Judo, and over time expanded the program to include Aikido, Jujitsu, and Kendo. As interest grew, additional martial arts sections were introduced to cater to a wide range of tastes and abilities.
Despite now facing significant mobility limitations and other health challenges, Sensei continues to teach. Drawing on decades of experience across multiple martial disciplines, he developed an alternative art that focuses on the essence of martial practice—breathing, posture, vitality, strength, and flexibility. This approach enables more mature practitioners to remain active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The system was aptly named Body Harmony, and it continues to grow in popularity. Social groups and community agencies now refer participants, and local health centres have shown strong interest, encouraging some of their patients to attend.
What is Aikido?
What is Aikido?
Ai = love, ki = spirit, do = path or way, so it is the path of love and harmony. The techniques are derived from the ancient jujitsu forms; rather than thinking of a physical application, we must look into the warriors' souls and hearts and understand their concept of life. Rather than meeting conflict head-on, one must accept the energy whilst blending with the flow. One trains not to overcome but to work in harmony with our partners, against our instincts to resist. The average person finds this concept hard to accept. The more advanced our understanding, the more we yearn to explore beyond the boundaries of the mind. We are beginning to realize that there are realms beyond reality as the Universe makes sense. The uninitiated expect Aikido techniques to work when confronted, and they might, but the real value is acting with compassion and integrity. It is only with constant practice that we can understand the essence of budo and apply Aikido in any situation. We must not react with fear, anger, or revenge. We have a genuine responsibility to ourselves, our enemies, and the universe, with faith in ourselves. Aikido should not be confused with other combat and competitive martial arts, even though it is often promoted for self-defence. Its primary function is to condition the body, mind, and spirit, enhancing the human experience. If anything, aikido can offer a spiritual definition to other martial arts through its profound principles.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse