Leicester Aikikai

Leicester Aikikai is a welcoming martial arts school located in Leicester, New Zealand. They specialise in teaching Aikido, a non-competitive martial art that focuses on using the opponent's strength against them. The club was established in May 2013 with the primary goal of creating a friendly and inclusive environment for students of all ages.

Since its inception, Leicester Aikikai has had the privilege of hosting guest instructors from various associations including UK Aikikai (UKA), British Aikikai (BA), British Birankai (BB), and British Aikido Federation (BAF). The school holds a full membership affiliation with United Kingdom Aikikai (UKA) and is part of the Joint Aikikai Council (JAC), ensuring that their kyu and dan grades are recognised nationally and internationally.

Antonios Pavlakis, the chief instructor at Leicester Aikikai, holds a fourth-degree black belt (4th dan) and is a recognised Hombu Fukushidoin. He has been practising aikido since 1997 under the instruction of Dave Lenton sensei and started the Leicester Aikikai dojo in May 2013.

Classes are held on Fridays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Aylestone Leisure Centre, conveniently located at 2 Knighton Lane East, Leicester, LE2 6LU. Free parking is available at the leisure centre, and the “Aylestone Leisure Centre” bus stop is just a 2-minute walk away.

The initial cost of joining Leicester Aikikai includes an annual membership with UK Aikikai (UKA) and includes insurance coverage. The costs are as follows: Adult (waged) – 32, Adult (concession/unemployed) – 25, Under 18s – 18. Monthly fees are also applicable, with rates ranging from 15 for under 18s to 25 for adults (waged) and 20 for adults (concession). Guests are welcome to visit and practise for a fee of 8 per session.

Leicester Aikikai offers a free trial class for anyone interested in giving Aikido a try. The club welcomes people of all fitness and flexibility levels, as improvement in these areas can be achieved while learning Aikido. Participants are advised to wear loose-fitting exercise clothes (not shorts) as the practise involves kneeling.

In addition to their regular classes, Leicester Aikikai also organises various events and dojo courses. They have upcoming events such as a Joint Course with Melton Byakko-Kan Aikido and a Dojo Course with guest instructor Iain Cooper sensei. These events provide opportunities for further learning and interaction with other Aikido practitioners.

For more information and updates about Leicester Aikikai, interested individuals can follow them on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.