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Most of us grew up chanting the nursery rhyme “Ring Around the Rosie… we all fall down.” Falling is something we all do—often unexpectedly—but how many of us know how to fall safely?
Last month, Inori Aikido Dojo had the pleasure of delivering a special Introduction to Safe Falling session, designed to raise awareness around the mechanics of falling and to teach practical techniques that help prevent injury. The interactive two hour class focused on protecting the most vulnerable parts of the body, particularly the head and spine, while also reducing the risk of common injuries such as broken hips, pelvis, arms, and shoulders, as well as bruises, sprains, and strains.
Although the dojo has previously run Safe Falling sessions for adults aged 55+, this event welcomed a very different group: 22 enthusiastic Air Cadets from 863 (Thurston) Squadron ATC.
After a full body warm up of gentle stretching and cardio exercises, the cadets were introduced to the fundamentals of safe falling. From there, the session progressed to rolling techniques on the matted floor before moving on to ukemi—Aikido’s forward, backward, and side breakfalls performed from standing. The cadets embraced every challenge with energy and focus. Games added a fun twist, but the highlight for many was the chance to practise high breakfalls on the crash mat, an exhilarating way to put their new skills into action.
If you’re interested in learning a genuinely life enhancing skill—how to fall safely—or if you’d like to try Aikido, a dynamic and non violent Japanese martial art suitable for all ages, sizes, and levels of fitness, Inori Aikido Dojo welcomes you!
Contact:
07793 658748
Email inoridojo@yahoo.com
Facebook & Instagram: @Inori Dojo
website https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
Regular classes take place at Woolpit Village Hall, Mondays and Thursdays, 7–9pm.
Our instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid trained.
Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve fitness, or simply try something new, Inori Aikido Dojo offers a friendly and supportive environment to begin your journey.
Last month, members of Inori Aikido Dojo had the great pleasure of travelling to Leicester for a one day instructors’ seminar led by Peter Brown Shihan, 7th Dan black belt. Sensei Brown, Chief Instructor of Kyu Shin Kan Omeikai (directly linked to Tokyo, Japan), has been training since the age of nine — an extraordinary 60 years of dedication to Aikido.
The seminar drew an impressive turnout, with practitioners from Leicester, Melton Mowbray, London, Nottingham, Derby and, of course, Woolpit. The day focused on the fundamentals of Aikido: distance (ma ai), timing, footwork, posture and alignment — all essential elements of effective technique and confident movement.
A special highlight for our dojo was seeing our colleague Krisztina Sasvari successfully pass her Shodan (first degree black belt) grading. Achieving black belt level in Aikido is a significant milestone, typically requiring at least six years of consistent, committed training. In Aikido tradition, Shodan marks not an ending but a beginning — the point at which a student starts to explore the art more deeply. Krisztina has truly opened a new door, and we are incredibly proud of her achievement.
If you’ve never tried Aikido before, it is a dynamic Japanese martial art suitable for adults of all ages, sizes and levels of fitness. Aikido uses an attacker’s movement and energy rather than relying on strength, and training includes empty hand techniques as well as the safe practice of traditional weapons such as sword, staff and knife. Whether you’re interested in practical self defence, physical wellbeing, confidence, or simply a calmer mind, Aikido offers something for everyone. Training emphasises fluid movement, cooperation, and safe falling — all within a friendly, welcoming environment.
Regular classes take place at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday evenings. Sessions are taught by Adrian Munteanu Sensei (5th Dan Aikikai), Jamie Bunting Sensei (2nd Dan Aikikai) and Krisztina Sasvari (1st Dan Aikikai). All instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked and First Aid trained.
Contact:
Adrian – 07793 658748
Email – inoridojo@yahoo.com
Facebook – @Inori Dojo
Website – https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
(added 10.03.26)
If you’re looking for a friendly way to improve fitness, confidence, and wellbeing this year, Aikido might be just the thing. Practised at Inori Aikido Dojo in Woolpit, Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that focuses on calm movement, balance, and cooperation rather than strength or competition. It’s gentle on the body, adaptable for all ages, and ideal for complete beginners.
Classes at Inori Aikido Dojo are welcoming and community‑focused, with students learning at their own pace in a supportive environment. There are no tournaments or sparring matches; instead, partners work together to explore timing, posture, and practical self‑defence skills in a safe and enjoyable way. Our members, especially older adults and those returning to exercise, find Aikido’s emphasis on relaxation and mindful movement particularly rewarding.
Beyond the physical benefits, Aikido helps build confidence, resilience, and a sense of calm that carries into everyday life. It’s a great way to meet new people locally, stay active, and try something different.
Whether you’re curious about martial arts or simply looking for a positive new activity, Inori Aikido Dojo offers a warm welcome. Aikido truly is a martial art for everyone!
Regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday evenings, 7pm – 9pm. Our instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid trained, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
To book your place, call 07793 658748 or email inoridojo@yahoo.com
(posted 06.01.26)
2026 - Aikido for Beginners!
New Year, New You with Inori Aikido!
Looking for a fresh start in 2026? Why not try something new, fun, and confidence-building right here in your local community?
Inori Aikido – your local Martial Arts Club – is launching a FREE Beginners’ Course starting Monday 5th January 2026 at Woolpit Village Hall.
This special introductory programme is the perfect way to kick off your New Year’s resolutions. Aikido is a dynamic Japanese martial art that trains body, mind, and spirit. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to get fit, learn new skills, or simply discover a rewarding hobby in a welcoming environment.
What you’ll learn: * How to fall safely, * Posture Breaking, * Basic Techniques, * Joint immobilisation, * Simple Throws, * Traditional weapons practice – the sword & staff
Sessions run every Monday and Thursday in January, 7pm – 9pm, and are open to ages 7 and above. Normally priced at £65, this course is completely FREE!
Why Aikido?
Aikido is non-competitive, accessible to all, and a fantastic way to:
About Inori Aikido Dojo
Regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday evenings, 7pm – 9pm. All instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid trained, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
To book your place, call 07793 658748 or email inoridojo@yahoo.com. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out on this chance to start your year with energy, focus, and a new skill!
Is Martial Arts Right for Your Parent?
Wondering if martial arts could benefit your mum or dad? Aikido might be just the thing — especially for older adults.
Why Aikido is perfect for seniors:
It uses an attacker’s strength against them
It allows someone less physically strong to defend themselves effectively
Health & wellbeing benefits for pensioners:
Improved balance and coordination
Increased bone density and muscle tone
Techniques for safe falling
Practical self-defence skills
Try it out with 2 FREE taster sessions!
Spaces are limited — book now and give your parent the chance to feel stronger, safer, and more confident.
Regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm. Our instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified.
For any queries please contact us at 07793 658748 e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook: @Inori Dojo Website: https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
We look forward to seeing you soon!
( Updated 12.11.25)
September is here! Back-to-school time!
Good news: Inori Aikido Dojo, your local Martial Arts Club is enrolling this autumn!
Join today with no joining fee and FREE trial sessions, plus we have fantastic new membership prices available for both juniors and adults!
Aikido for All class is suitable for:
Children (7yrs+)
Teenagers
Adults
65+
If you have never tried Aikido, this is a dynamic Japanese Martial Art suitable for men and women of any age, size and build. The art focuses on using the attackers’ movement against them and includes a combination of empty-handed techniques, along with weapons such as sword, staff and knife. You don’t need any experience of martial arts to start, nor need to be physically fit. That’s what we’re here to help with. Most importantly, we will do this together in a safe and friendly environment.
Contact us NOW for your FREE taster.
Regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm. Our instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified.
For any queries please contact us at 07793 658748 e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook: @Inori Dojo Website: https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Aikido for Children
With great excitement we have entered summer holidays. It’s been a pleasure to see Inori’s students’ commitment to train hard even during the heatwaves!
Aikido is all about creating a warm, safe and creative place in which this peaceful martial art can be made accessible and fun for everyone, in particular for children. Aikido is full of benefits for our juniors and a great accompaniment to learning.
Practising Aikido on regular basis helps children in gaining self-confidence and self-respect, developing concentration and focus, releasing stress, becoming more flexible, developing emotional intelligence and resilience, being more calm, happy and grounded.
Top 10 benefits of Aikido for children:
1. Improves flexibility and strengthens the body
2. Improves concentration, cooperation and coordination
3. Increases self-esteem
4. Gives tools for stress management
5. Helps imagination and creativity
6. Improves social interaction
7. Enhances body and space awareness
8. Teaches responsibility and discipline
9. Teaches children to enjoy the present moment
10. Improves the quality of children’s life
Anyone age 7+ is welcome! In our Aikido sessions everyone is encouraged to train to the best of their ability. We are also happy to try to cater for any disorders like ASD and ADHD as well as any disabilities.
Now it is your time, we are here for you! Join us and change your life for the better, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Booking not required. Even better news: bring this article with you and enjoy our FREE Aikido classes during 2025 summer holidays!
Regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm. Our instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified.
For any queries please contact us at 07793 658748 e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook: @Inori Dojo Website: https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
For many Martial Arts clubs, summer means holiday. Here, at Inori Aikido Dojo, by contrary, our doors remain open all year around.
Great news! We are now enrolling beginners as well as former students wishing to return on the mat. Or perhaps you are already practising another martial art and would like to try some cross-training? You are all welcome!
Join today with no joining fee and FREE trial sessions! Plus, we have fantastic membership prices available for both juniors and adults.
Aikido is a dynamic Japanese Martial Art suitable for men and women of any age, size and build. The art relies on the redirection of your opponent's movement and energy instead of responding with a punch or a kick. Most importantly, in our Aikido style we don’t promote competitions and we don’t award trophies because we strongly believe that true victory is victory over the self.
For anyone age 7+ who wants to try Aikido, our regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, from 19:00 until 21:00.
Inori Aikido Dojo’s instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified.
For any queries please contact us on 07793 658748 or at e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook and Instagram: @Inori Dojo Website: https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
Inori Aikikai Aikido Dojo at Woolpit Village Hall
Suitable for all ages and abilities: Safe Falling, Balance and Posture Breaking, Self-defence, Basic and Advanced Techniques, Joint Immobilisation, Throws, Sword & Staff.
Mats and weapons (swords and staff) provided.
For anyone age 7+ who want to try Aikido, Inori’s regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm.
Inori Aikido Dojo’s instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified.
For any queries please contact us on 07793 658748 or at e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook and Instagram: @Inori Dojo Website: https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
Venue: Inori Aikikai Aikido Dojo, Woolpit Village Hall, Mill Lane, Woolpit IP30 9QX
Inori Aikido Dojo, your Local Martial Arts Club, is starting a Beginners Course on 9th January at Woolpit Village Hall. Anyone who’s making New Year’s resolutions can come and try Aikido, a dynamic Japanese martial art that offers a great way to exercise your body, mind and spirit.
A trial course like this is ideal just to get you out of the house, make new friends, discover a new hobby, and hopefully make a life choice! Aikido is a non-competitive martial art and can be practised by anyone. Aikido is fun! Come along and learn:
* How to fall safely, * Posture Breaking, * Basic Techniques, * Joint immobilisation, * Throws, * Sword and Staff.
The course runs for 4 consecutive Thursdays, from 7pm to 9pm and is open to anyone aged 7 and over. This is completely FREE of charge our activities being supported by Suffolk Community Foundation through the Suffolk Sports Fund.
Regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm. Our instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified. To book your place, call us on 07793 658748 or e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com
A very busy spring has started for our Aikido Club in Woolpit. Congratulations to all who graded at the end of March. Well done everyone, keep up the good practice!
Locally we attended a series of seminars organised in Cambridge with very experienced and high ranked sensei: Shane Riley Shihan, 7th Dan from White Rose Aikikai club (West Yorkshire), Nick Waites Shihan, 7th Dan from Komyokan Aikido Association (Birkenhead) and Kayla Feder Shihan, 7th Dan from Aikido of Berkleley (USA).
In particular, Kayla Feder sensei is a rare presence in the UK. She is teaching Aikido seminars throughout the USA, Europe, and Israel. Each time, sensei is creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere on the mat, and she is including yoga and meditation practices during her classes. Kayla sensei emphasises that we all have different body shapes, histories, ages and learning styles and is dedicated to making Aikido accessible for anyone. "There is no end to the growth and learning we aspire to through our Aikido practice both on and off the mat".
Coming months look similarly promising and busy at Inori Dojo: Krisztina taking a trip to Japan to train in Iaido (sword) and Aikido, the National Aikido Course in Cardiff with Makoto Ito Shihan, 6th Dan (Tokyo, Japan), Bath Aikido Meet with Lewis Bernaldo de Quirós, 7th Dan (Traditional Aikido Europe), Leicester Aikido Seminar with Peter Brown Shihan, 7th Dan.
For anyone age 7+ who wants to try Aikido, Inori’s regular classes run at Woolpit Village Hall on Monday and Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm.
Inori Aikido Dojo’s instructors are Coach Level 1 & 2 qualified, DBS checked, and First Aid qualified.
For any queries please contact us on 07793 658748 or at e-mail: inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook and Instagram: @Inori Dojo Website: https://inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk
Inori Aikido Dojo: Trip to South Devon 2024
In April 2024, Adrian Munteanu, one of Inori Aikido club’s instructors, took a trip to South Devon to see Dimitri Crenier, one of Europe’s youngest teachers. Dimitri sensei started Aikido at the age of 9 and trained in Belgium and Tokyo. Now a top couch, he achieved 6th Dan in 2017. Last year Dimitri sensei was one of 22 candidates for The World games Athlete of the Year. Most recently, he has been invited to give a demonstration at World Combat Games, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Video by courtesy of the World Combat Games can be watched here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=894606655365959
“What a great weekend seminar this was! During three days of intensive training, Dimitri sensei covered a lot of Aikido empty hand basic techniques as well as bokken (wooden sword) workout. He emphasised the importance of one’s centre and axis, body movement and foot work, correct posture and balance, how to make connection with a partner when dealing with various attacks.
Fresh beginner or black belt, we all had the chance to learn by feeling effective applications, receiving a throw or an immobilisation on the ground.”
Coming months look similarly promising and busy at Inori Dojo: International Seminar with Dorin Marchis shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda shihan in Romania (May), Summer School in UK (August), International Aikido Summit in Japan (September), East Anglia Regional Aikido Seminar with Peter Brown shihan (October), Aikido Open Day (November) and Misogi training (December) to mark the end of 2024 and beginning of the New Year, to mention but a few.
