Aikido Thistle Aikikai

Dear Sports Community,

Michael Flynn Shihan extends a warm invitation to everyone to discover Aikido Thistle Aikikai, a renowned martial arts school situated in Chryston, near Glasgow. As an esteemed member of the Scottish and Borders Birankai, the school proudly follows the teachings of T. K. Chiba Shihan.

Michael Flynn Shihan, the Chief Instructor, has dedicated himself to Aikido since 1982, and in 2018, he was honoured with the prestigious 7th Dan rank by Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru 🎉. Under his guidance, Thistle Aikikai offers a wide array of classes catering to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.

The classes cover diverse aspects of Aikido, including weapons training. Additionally, the school offers instruction in Iaido—the art of drawing the sword and striking a decisive blow. In Iaido classes, students learn to harmonise the mind and body with nature through the disciplined use of the sword.

Sessions are held at the Iain Nicolson Recreation Centre on Chryston Road, which boasts top-notch facilities for Aikido and Iaido training. Everyone is welcome, and the school prides itself on fostering an inclusive and friendly environment for learning.

For further information or to address any queries, please feel free to reach out to Michael Flynn via the contact details provided. Thistle Aikikai also maintains an events calendar on its website, keeping members updated on upcoming events and activities 📅.

For those new to the area, directions to the Iain Nicolson Recreation Centre are clearly outlined from both the South and North, ensuring easy access to the training venue.

To accommodate everyone’s schedules, Thistle Aikikai offers a flexible training timetable with weekly classes held on Mondays at Chryston Community Hall, and Thursdays and Saturdays at the Iain Nicolson Centre. Various class timings are available to fit training into busy lives ⏰.

Becoming part of the Thistle Aikikai community is simple. Interested individuals can enrol as members by paying an annual membership fee, which includes insurance coverage. Tuition fees vary based on membership type and can be paid monthly or on a daily mat fee basis, as arranged with Michael Flynn Shihan.

Thistle Aikikai is dedicated to providing a nurturing and supportive learning atmosphere where students can develop their martial arts skills while benefiting from the physical and mental disciplines of Aikido and Iaido. With experienced instructors and excellent training facilities, Thistle Aikikai is the ideal place for anyone in Glasgow and the surrounding areas to start or continue their martial arts journey.

We're looking forward to seeing you on the mat! 🥋

Warm regards,

Michael Flynn Shihan