Atsushi Mimuro sensei Iriminage
Mimuro sensei visits us annualy
Aikikai Certificate of Registration of Yokohama International Aikido Club, Yokohama, Japan
Atsushi Mimuro sensei Iriminage
Welcome to Yokohama International Aikido Devon
Affiliated with Yokohama International Aikido Association, Yokohama, Japan.
Aikido for All Paignton
Discover the Hidden Gems of Aikido Near You
Unveiling the Ultimate Martial Arts Experience
We are a welcoming Aikido club in Paignton, open to all ages and dedicated to serving our local and neighbouring communities. Our mission is simple: to make high-quality Aikido training — and the physical fitness, confidence, and balance it brings — accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability.
Our club is proud to be a member of the Lancashire Aikikai and the British Aikido Board (BAB). We are also honoured to be an official dojo of the Yokohama International Aikido Association, led by Atsushi Mimuro Shihan, 7th Dan Aikikai. This direct connection to Japan — and to Hombu Dojo, the Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo — means our students are part of a worldwide Aikido community of over two million members. All gradings in our dojo are personally approved by Mimuro Shihan before being registered with the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, ensuring your rank is recognised internationally. Mimuro Shihan visits our dojo annually, and we also organise trips to Japan for those who wish to deepen their training at its source.
At our club, you will not only learn the techniques of Aikido but also immerse yourself in its philosophy — the art of blending, redirecting, and harmonising with an opponent’s energy. We respect each individual’s personal journey. We will never impose rigid ideas on who you should be; instead, we help you grow in Aikido as yourself.
We believe this makes our dojo truly unique in Devon — and even across the UK. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist, we invite you to step onto the mat, discover the hidden gems of Aikido, and become part of something far greater than a martial arts class. Give us a call or drop us an email to arrange your first visit.
The mat is waiting — and so is your journey.
The Philosophy Behind Aikido
At the heart of Aikido lies a profound philosophy — one that sets it apart from most other martial arts. Developed by Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido is built on the principles of harmony, compassion, and non-resistance. Rather than meeting force with force, Aikido teaches us to blend with and redirect the energy of an attack, neutralising it without unnecessary harm. This approach extends far beyond the dojo. The principles of Aikido can be woven into daily life, helping practitioners navigate challenges with calmness, clarity, and respect for others. It is as much a way of living as it is a martial art. Through training, students develop awareness and mindfulness — a heightened sense of their own body, their surroundings, and the subtle movements of others. This awareness allows them to respond to any situation with grace, precision, and confidence. Aikido also embraces the concept of aiki — often understood as “the harmony of energy,” but at its deepest level meaning love. In Aikido, love is not sentimental, but the compassionate force that seeks to protect and guide rather than destroy. By connecting with and expressing aiki, practitioners strengthen the bond between mind, body, and spirit. This understanding not only enriches their technique but also cultivates a more harmonious relationship with the world around them.
Physical Fitness in Paignton and the Benefits of Practicing Aikido
Practicing Aikido offers a wide range of benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. It goes far beyond building strength and flexibility — Aikido also nurtures mental clarity, emotional resilience, and a sense of community. Here are just some of the rewards you can gain from stepping onto the mat:
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Physical Fitness – Aikido combines cardiovascular training, strength building, and flexibility work in every session. Regular practice improves endurance, muscular tone, joint mobility, and overall vitality.
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Coordination and Balance – Every Aikido technique demands precise timing, fluid movement, and stable posture. As you train, your coordination and balance naturally improve, enhancing not just your martial arts ability but everyday activities.
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Mental Focus and Discipline – Learning Aikido requires attention to detail, patience, and commitment. Practitioners develop sharper concentration, greater mindfulness, and the ability to stay composed under pressure — skills that carry over into all areas of life.
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Stress Relief – The flowing movements of Aikido help release tension from both mind and body. Many find that regular training brings a sense of calm, reduces anxiety, and supports emotional well-being.
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Practical Self-Defence – While rooted in non-violence, Aikido’s principles of blending, redirecting, and controlling energy provide effective self-protection skills without relying on brute force.
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Confidence and Self-Esteem – Overcoming challenges, mastering techniques, and progressing through gradings fosters genuine self-confidence. Students often leave the dojo feeling empowered and more assured in daily life.
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Community and Camaraderie – Aikido dojos are more than training halls — they are communities. Training alongside people who share your passion builds mutual respect, friendship, and a sense of belonging.
With these benefits in mind, finding the right dojo and instructor is key to starting your journey. In the next section, we’ll explore how to choose the right Aikido club near you.
A Brief History of Aikido
In the previous section, we explored the many benefits of Aikido and the importance of finding the right place to train. To truly understand what to look for in a dojo, it helps to know where Aikido comes from and the values at its core. Aikido’s story begins in Japan in the early 20th century with its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, respectfully known as O-Sensei — “Great Teacher.” Seeking a martial art that nurtured both the body and the spirit, O-Sensei drew upon his mastery of several traditional arts, including Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, classical swordsmanship (kenjutsu), and spear techniques (sōjutsu). His vision was not simply to create a new fighting style, but to forge a path of harmony — a way to neutralise aggression without inflicting unnecessary harm. At its heart was the principle of aiki: blending with and guiding an opponent’s energy, rooted in love, compassion, and respect for all life. In its early years, Aikido was taught mainly to the Japanese military and police. As its reputation grew, it began attracting students from all walks of life, both in Japan and eventually across the globe. Today, millions of people in over 100 countries practice Aikido. Yet, for a club to truly preserve the art’s authenticity, it should maintain a direct link to Japan — the birthplace of Aikido — and, ideally, to the Ueshiba family themselves, who continue to oversee and safeguard O-Sensei’s legacy. Such a connection ensures that the teachings remain faithful to their origins, both technically and spiritually.
Conclusion: Embracing the Transformative Power of Aikido
Aikido, the Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba, offers far more than self-defence — it is a way to harmonise mind, body, and spirit. Rooted in the principles of love (aiki), compassion, and non-resistance, it teaches us to transform conflict into connection, using skill and awareness rather than brute strength.
Technique 1: Blending and Redirecting
At the heart of Aikido lies the skill of blending with an opponent’s energy and gently guiding it away from harm. Through circular movement, precise footwork, and subtle shifts in posture, practitioners can turn aggression into an opportunity for control without confrontation.
Technique 2: Joint Locks and Throws
Aikido’s repertoire of joint locks and throws uses leverage and body mechanics to neutralise threats effectively — enabling even a smaller person to control a larger, stronger opponent. These movements embody the principle that true strength comes from technique, timing, and centred calmness.
Technique 3: Ukemi — The Art of Falling Safely
Aikido teaches not only how to defend but also how to receive techniques safely. Ukemi, the art of falling and rolling, allows practitioners to protect themselves from injury, building trust and confidence to train dynamically without fear.
In a truly authentic Aikido dojo, every technique is more than just movement — it is a thread in an unbroken line of tradition stretching back to the art’s origins. This isn’t simply about having Japanese connections on paper; it’s about preserving the spirit, standards, and philosophy as they were intended by O-Sensei and his family. At our Paignton dojo, we train under guidance that keeps those roots alive, ensuring each class carries the same depth and integrity you would find at the very heart of Aikido in Japan.
We invite you to step onto the mat, discover the hidden gems of Aikido for yourself, and join a community that spans from Devon to Tokyo — and beyond. Your journey in Aikido can begin right here.