Aikido Shudokan Black Belt Academy

Reviews

• Helping me help myself

  I am writing this review about the Shudokan Black Belt Academy in Nottingham. What a great place. If you've never done martial arts before I highly recomend you step inside this place. You may assume the helpful staff, the always smiling pupils and staff and the endless patience demonstrated by the teahers is what you will find in other schools. Not so. They are so good here it is realy remarkable that right on our doorsteps is such a Dojo. For those with knowledge of martial arts you probably know that Aikido takes time to learn. It empahsises control through posture and relaxation and if got right is massively powerful. No quick fixes here but steady progress under the expert guidance of Sensei Ken Robson, highest Dan grage in the UK, is the target. I joined 14 months ago and am hooked. There are many martial arts schools to choose from and unfortunatley many people teach and learn for the wrong reasons. Not so here. Thank you to all at the Dojo for showing me how to train and what to learn.

  0

  Edward B.
  Review Date: 29/04/2008 Report review
• Aikido at the Black Belt Academy

  I began training in Aikido 14 months ago. I stumbled upon the Black Belt Academy because I was looking for a place to learn Aikido close to home. I have had a little martial art experience in the past and knew that being able to train regularly during the week would be key to progress. There are so many classes throughout the week that getting to 2, 3 or 4 classes a week is really simple. For those new to Aikido it is a relatively new martial art blending movement, joint control and swordsmanship all the time with its emphasis rooted in redirecting your opponents energy to avoid injury. Clearly a big ask! I joined the club straight away after my first lesson. Seeing student after student grinning from ear to ear, talking enthusiastically about this or that technique was enough to inspire me. I soon found out that my trust in the teachers was well placed. This club is not full of meat heads or maniacs who like dishing out pain. Rather it is infused by a happy spirit and kind enthusiastic teachers who even after the hundredth time telling us all to relax, be less tense and maintain good posture still are more than happy to help those like me who can take an age to "get it". Well done to all at the Academy, you have a fantastic dojo.

  0

  Edward B.
  Review Date: 27/04/2008 Report review
• Great for kids

  Our son Ciaran joined Shudokan BBA when he was 5 years old as a Little Dragon. He is now 11 and achieved his Junior Shodan grade last September, a very proud moment for him, his friends and of course his parents. During his time with Shudokan he has enjoyed his experience, he has fun, understands the value of working together and as a team. He has respect for himself, respect for others and importantly strives to be the best that he can be. Shudokan has played a valuable part in his shaping and he chooses to go to the classes himself as often as he can, which is usually 4 times a week. We hope that he has made lifelong friends and an interest that teaches him principles that echo that of his school and family. Respect, harmony and personal achievement without any pressure. Well done Ken and your team for running a martial arts dojo that all should aspire to.

  10

  Andy & lisa B.
  Review Date: 27/05/2007 Report review
• Changed my way of thinking

  Before i started aikido my way of thinking used to be "i will try and do my best", or "i will try and finish it", but after 3 years of training on and off, aikido has taught me how to be positive about everything no matter how difficult the challenge ahead of me. It is by far the most influential thing in my life.

  10

  Rizwan A.
  Review Date: 31/08/2004 Report review
• Aikido Shudokan - Chief Instructor

  I read with interest the previous review on the chief Instructor at Aikido Shudokan in Nottingham. My own experience is very different. I have found the chief instructor and all the staff to be nothing short of honest with the best interests of the students at heart. This is surely born out by the fact the school is growing and many of the students are professional people such as lawyers, doctors, teachers and police officers! Or are all of these students simply subjects of clever brain washing??? It is sad that an individual can post such a thread without providing any evidence. The only way to find out is to turn up and find out for your self and I am sure you will come away with the same view that I have - this is a top quality martial arts school that provides its students with a whole lot more than just martial arts training!

  10

  Mick M.
  Review Date: 27/07/2004 Report review
• A little balance...

  I find the above posting very interesting, particularly as we have never had a student or guest student by the name Robert Jenkinson in our time here. I can only assume it is an alias, and should “Mr Jenkinson” like to contact me personally I would gratefully receive his comments on what would appear to be a uniquely unpleasant experience at our facility.

  My personal opinion is, however, that the comments of this “Mr Jenkinson” are clearly just a malicious rant aimed at myself and my highly professional team, with no basis in reality. The above notice is also particularly insulting the 320+ students that currently train with us and continue to have a fantastic and rewarding experience. Our student base is made up primarily of adult professionals whom I credit with more intelligence than to be taken in by “Aggressive salesmanship” or “Brainwashing”. Frankly, I find the idea laughable.

  Should anyone wish to find out, (Obviously without any obligation), what really happens at our institution, you are more than welcome to contact or visit us.

  Ken Robson & Team Shudokan Black Belt Academy

  10

  Honbu D.
  Review Date: 30/06/2004 Report review