School of Oriental & African Studies
University of London
Malet Street
Contact Name
Sue Smith
Contact Tel
0207 609 1713
Email
info at airenjuku-london.org
Training Times
Tuesday 18:30 to 20:15
Saturday 10:30 to 12:30
Instructors
Sue Smith 3rd dan
Andrew Humphreys 4th dan (who also teaches at the nearby IoE dojo)
Finding the dojo
The dojo is in the basement of the Russell
Square campus of
SOAS,
which is itself on the North-Western corner of the square.
The nearest tube is Russell Square, but we're also close to Euston
Square and Goodge Street underground stations.
When you arrive at SOAS, you must sign in at the main reception.
You'll be given a visitor's badge. Ask for directions to the gym
because the building is a little tricky to navigate.
Our history
Airenjuku Dojo (Airenjuku means "Small School of Harmonious Practice") has a long history, beginning as Kanetsuka sensei's Saturday practice within the
BAF at the Albany Street dojo in the late 1970s. Under Tom and Maria Helsby it was renamed Airenjuku in the late 80s and moved to
SOAS with Chris Reid and Sue Smith in 1989 when the Albany Street dojo was redeveloped.
Now affiliated to the
United Kingdom Aikikai, and through them to
Aikikai Hombu (headquarters) dojo in Tokyo, we aim to provide a basic grounding in Aikido, both empty hand and weapons, to new students and others, and to provide somewhere for those who already practice Aikido with other organisations or from other countries, to train during their time at SOAS. We are also open to non-students, which gives continuity and a wide range of training partner experience. We hold regular courses with senior teachers from the UKA and other organisations, and joint practices with other UKA dojos in London.
We are proud of our long association with SOAS, 2009 being our twentieth year anniversary.