Drop us a line to sign up Isshinkai’s 2023 Aikido Summer school: membership@isshinkai.co.uk.
Isshinkai’s annual Aikido Summer School takes place this year from Sunday 27 August to Saturday 2 September. Taught by the Denis Burke Sensei (awarded 7th Dan in 2002), our internationally acclaimed summer school offers the opportunity for beginners and experienced practitioners alike to undertake a week’s intensive training in the art of aikido.
Held in the peaceful country village of Fyfield, near Andover (an hour by train from London), the course provides a unique opportunity for study, reflection and practice.
If you are a complete beginner who is interested in studying the fascinating Japanese martial art of aikido then this course provides an opportunity to get a real taste of what aikido has to offer. While experienced practitioners will have a chance to go deeper into the art under the guidance of one of the UK’s most experienced aikido teachers.
About Denis Burke Sensei
Summer School is taught by our Founder, Denis Burke Sensei, and it's how he started in 1979 - by going along as a beginner to Summer School. It's a guaranteed positive life changer! You can find out more about his own background here.
What to expect on the course
In the morning, after breakfast students will prepare the dojo together. Taught classes take place most days in the morning and in the afternoon, with a general practice session in the evening under the supervision of senior grades. This means that students can practice for up to six hours a day. The combination of self-study and taught classes is the optimal route to accelerate learning and progress.
We have a half-day mid-week to give people a bit of a break from the rigorous training schedule. This also provides an opportunity for the learning to sink in and percolate.
Gradings are held on the morning of the final day, which is an opportunity for students who are ready to showcase their progress. After a final class, we then tend to unwind and celebrate the week with a barbecue and staying up late into the night before tidying up together and leaving the next morning.
Food is not included in the price but tea and coffee are available. Students often self-organise to share cooking throughout the week too. In the evening’s we tend to sit around the fire and chat. (Inevitably, given the intensity of the practice, there’s lots of talk of aikido but its also a great opportunity to make friends and get to know each other better).
Advice for beginners
The course is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced practitioners. Aikido is an art that can be easily adapted to different levels of ability, and more experienced students will always help look after and support beginners. Before coming along you will want to purchase an aikido gi to practice in, and have a pair of flip-flops or zori (Japanese sandals) that you can wear to walk to and from the mat. We also have a few spares at the dojo, but we can’t guarantee they’ll fit you. If you’d like to know more about this and where to find these then do get in touch.
What to bring/wear
In addition to an aikido gi and zori/flip-flops to practice in, you’ll want to bring comfortable clothing including something warm to wear if it’s chilly in the evening. A waterproof jacket is a good idea as well, just in case of rain. If you are staying at the dojo you’ll want to bring a tent, sleeping bag, etc. too. You’ll want to bring some food, but it’s also possible to go shopping while you are staying, so don’t feel you need to bring everything for the week!
Location
Hosted at the Isshinkan Dojo, on the outskirts of Fyfield. Fyfield is a rural but conveniently located village around 10 minutes away from Andover, which is around an hour by train from London. The dojo has been established for over 20-years and is bordered by mature beech trees and gardens. It looks out over fields and woodland. Red kites fly over head, and deer can frequently be seen in the surrounding area. It is a peaceful place to meditate, practice, and unwind.
The dojo is currently undergoing some refurbishment work, but this means that there are also some different opportunities, such as the chance to practice in our outdoor dojo tent.
Accommodation
Students are welcome to camp in the orchard attached to the dojo. The dojo itself is currently undergoing refurbishment but basic facilities are available including a small kitchen, barbecue, fire pit and showers.
Price
The course fee is £300 for the week or £60 per day. Full attendance for the whole week is highly encouraged. However, if you are only able to join for a few days, then it is strongly preferred that you join for the first days of the course as it can be challenging and disruptive to join part way through the week.
Contact
If you’re got any questions or want to sign up then please email us on membership@isshinkai.co.uk.